The University of Virginia (UVA) seeks a collaborative, creative, and strategic leader to serve as the J. Sanford Miller Family Director of The Fralin Museum of Art. Together with UVA’s Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, The Fralin Museum anchors a dynamic arts ecosystem within a research university with a distinctive commitment to undergraduate teaching, and in active engagement with the vibrant and progressive Charlottesville arts community.

The next Director will arrive at The Fralin at a moment of tremendous promise, joining dedicated staff, and colleagues at the Kluge-Ruhe Collection to consider what shape University art museums might take in the 21st century. The Director will have the opportunity to participate in planning for an anticipated new Center for the Arts, which is envisioned to include new space to house the University’s museums.  While still dependent on securing state and philanthropic support, the proposed project will allow the University to envision a new home for integrated arts programs in an exciting multi-disciplinary precinct. Among the animating questions on the horizon: How might we best position the University of Virginia to be a leader in the visual arts and the study of indigenous cultures? What opportunities might we have to plan both for our current collections and for emergent forms of digital and new media?

Reporting to the Vice Provost for the Arts, Jody Kielbasa, and working closely with the Advisory Board, the Director provides overall leadership, vision, and oversight of The Fralin and its staff. In close collaboration with colleagues at the Kluge-Ruhe, the Director advances the University Art Museums’ efforts to provide intellectually rigorous, robustly inclusive, inspiring encounters with works of art for UVA students, faculty, and staff, along with an expansively conceived Charlottesville arts community. The Director will bring to the position an enthusiasm for the Charlottesville- and regionally-focused community engagement work of the Directorship. The Director serves the University’s core research and teaching missions in guiding the museum to highlight inquiry, present groundbreaking exhibitions and arts scholarship, and support the formation of a new generation of artists, researchers, and arts professionals.

The Director will have the opportunity to enhance collections, create programs that will engage the full academic enterprise, and design a compelling community-engaged arts program. In collaboration with colleagues across the creative and performing arts units, the Director will play an integral role in shaping a strategic vision for expanding arts programs across the University and promoting interdisciplinary initiatives between the Museums and the University. 

The Director will bring a keen awareness of the critical need for museums to adapt and thrive in the digital age, and a deep commitment to leading the museum into the digital age while fostering strong interdisciplinary practice.

The Director will bring an agile, creative, collaborative disposition to the work of imagining co-located University Art Museums and will actively engage and inspire supporters in all aspects of UVA's and the museum's fundraising to enhance the museum's programming and operations.   

The Director will empower, support, lead, and develop a dedicated professional staff. They will ensure that strategic objectives are collectively agreed upon, effectively implemented, and realized in a fiscally responsible manner. The Director will advance the University’s commitment to Inclusive Excellence, supporting The Fralin’s ongoing work in DEAI internally and strengthen the internal culture. The Director will consistently serve as a visible, accessible, inspiring leader and manager.

To view full description, and to apply, https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs/job/Charlottesville-VA/Direct…

Workday applications should include a letter of interest and resume. The search will be carried out with full confidentiality. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to Managing Director, Susan Gaines at sht2n@virginia.edu.