Job Opportunity
Director, University of Michigan Museum of Art
The University of Michigan invites nominations and applications for the position of Director of the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) in Ann Arbor.The University of Michigan’s art collection is among the oldest university collections in the nation. In 1856, years before the great civic art museums in Detroit, Toledo, or Chicago were founded, UM students and the general public had free access to an art gallery on campus. UMMA is now one of the finest university art museums in the country. Its nearly 19,000 objects represent 150 years of art collecting that spans the Western tradition from medieval times to the present, with deep holdings in African and Asian art.
One of UMMA’s most important roles is its contribution to the academic mission of the University. From the research and study uses of the extraordinary works of art in the collections, to the teaching implications of all of its temporary exhibitions, the Museum plays an increasingly central role in the academic life of the University, even as it connects to broad regional and national community audiences. A dynamic schedule of special exhibitions and interpretative programs connects visitors with the rich artistic legacy of the past and today’s avant-garde.
This March, UMMA opened a landmark 53,000-square-foot expansion and major restoration of its historic, 41,000-square-foot home, Alumni Memorial Hall, in the center of the University campus. Designed by principal architect Brad Cloepfil at Allied Works Architecture, the .9 million transformation not only more than doubles the space available for collections display, temporary exhibitions, programs and educational exploration, but also fulfills the Museum’s mission to bridge visual art and contemporary culture, scholarship and accessibility, tradition and innovation. The addition of classrooms, an auditorium, and a variety of gathering spaces contributes to making UMMA a vital town square for the arts at the heart of a major research university.
Reporting to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the next Director will provide overall leadership and management for the Museum, including care of the collection, fundraising, collaboration with University departments and schools, community outreach, and volunteer management. The Director is an integral part of the University's academic leadership, while ensuring the continued development of the Museum’s rich collections and applying innovative approaches to teaching, research, and scholarly communication.
The successful candidate will be a dynamic and energetic leader with a strong background in a discipline relevant to UMMA’s mission. S/he will have demonstrated leadership experience in a museum or art institute; a record of strong institutional and financial management; a capacity for developing and sustaining relationships within the University and among a wide variety of external constituencies; a talent and enthusiasm for outreach and fundraising; and a commitment to supporting a diverse staff. A terminal degree in a relevant discipline is required, with a notable record of scholarly and/or creative accomplishment and other qualifications appropriate for a senior faculty appointment.
Nominations and/or applications, accompanied by a letter of interest, current curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references, should be submitted to:
Judith A. Auerbach and Kit J. Nichols
Auerbach Associates, Inc.
385 Concord Avenue, Suite 103
Belmont, MA 02478
Tel: (617) 451-0095
Electronic submissions preferred: email ana@auerbach-assc.com