Open Position: Visual Resource Curator – Visual and Media Arts – Visual and Media Arts Department at Grand Valley State University

The Department of Visual and Media Arts at Grand Valley State University, located in Allendale, MI (www.gvsu.edu/vma) invites applicants for our Curator of Visual Resources position. The Curator works in multiple collaborative partnerships within the Department of Visual and Media Arts to support student learning, departmental operations related to visual resources, public programs, and promotions. The Curator of Visual Resources is a key team member and leader for the Visual Resources Center, the VMA Curatorial and PR Team, the Digital Print Shop, and the Padnos Student Gallery, each of which is concerned with quality production and high-impact experiential learning. This is a 9-month salaried position.

As a community of educators, artists, and scholars, the Department of Visual and Media Arts values the examination of the world through diverse cultural discourses. This discourse includes collaboration with university, local, and regional communities, and informs our pedagogy and scholarship. We seek a candidate committed to facilitating curricular and co-curricular learning, in support of undergraduate teaching, and community engagement. The chosen candidate will help support GVSU’s student-centered mission and the institution’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. We encourage applications from candidates from underrepresented groups, and from candidates who have interest and/or experience in working with diverse student and community populations.

Required Qualifications and Education:

Applicants must have:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field and 3 years of experience in one or more of the primary areas of responsibility. Related fields may include: Studio Art, Art History, Art Education, Graphic Design, Museum Studies, Cultural Studies, Cultural Rhetoric, Library Science, Arts Administration
• Ability to organize and support high-impact experiential learning in multiple settings
• Ability to manage digital and material assets and archives, and support students and faculty in the proper use and maintenance of digital imaging systems and the documentation of artworks
• Ability to support student learning and faculty teaching using Visual and Digital Resources
• Ability to produce high-quality public programs and materials
• Ability to write effectively for communication, collaboration, and promotion of events
• Demonstrated understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion, and intercultural concepts
• Strong collaboration and interpersonal skills, such as the ability to interact with others with respect and empathy

Preferred Qualifications and Education:

• Master’s Degree in related field: Studio Art, Art History, Art Education, Graphic Design, Museum Studies, Cultural Studies, Cultural Rhetoric, Library Science, Arts Administration
• Experience planning, promoting, and producing curatorial programs and events.
• Managing schedules and workflows with multiple collaborators
• Experience managing social media
• Experience with exhibition design, installation, and documentation
• Experience designing publications and promotions
• Experience managing peer-learning environments and training and supervising student workers
• Experience participating in or developing initiatives focused on social justice education
• Demonstrated expertise in at least two of these areas: event production, visual art curating, digital asset management, social media management, print or web design, high-quality digital printing

Responsibilities: The Curator of Visual Resources works with multiple collaborative partnerships within the Department of Visual and Media Arts to support student learning, departmental operations related to Visual Resources, and public programs and promotions. The Curator of Visual Resources is a key team member and leader for the Visual Resources Center, the VMA Curatorial and PR Team, the Digital Print Shop, and the Padnos Student Gallery. Each of these activities is organized with the dual aims of quality production and high-impact experiential learning.

Salary/Benefits: The Visual Resource Curator position is structured with a 9-month renewable contract with a salary of $38,000-$47,653 commensurate with experience. The university offers an excellent comprehensive package that includes health/vision/dental plans, life insurance, retirement, sick/leave disability, tuition waiver, adoption resources, wellness coaching, and free access to campus fitness facilities. Family and child care options on and off-campus are also available. For a detailed description of benefits, please visit https://www.gvsu.edu/hro/benefitswellness.

How to Apply: A complete application must include: (1) a cover letter addressing qualifications, your motivation to work at GVSU, your experience with collaboration and commitment to inclusive excellence with examples of addressing diversity, inclusion, and equity in your work), (2) curriculum vitae, (4) contact information of three professional references, and (5) degree transcripts (unofficial issued to students are acceptable to apply). You may also include examples of any scholarship or cultural production or community organizing relevant to the range of responsibilities of the Curator of Visual Resources position. Grand Valley State University has a diverse student body and we encourage applications from individuals with a commitment to mentoring students underrepresented demographics in the sciences. Apply online at jobs.gvsu.edu and select “Apply now”. The online application will allow applicants to attach these documents electronically. Applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview. If you need assistance, call Human Resources at 616-331-2215. Email questions about the position to: wittenbp@gvsu.edu.

Application Deadline: The review process will begin on November 15th, 2021. The posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.

Grand Valley State University has a COVID-19 Vaccine requirement that requires all faculty, staff and students to be vaccinated. New hires will be expected to adhere to the policy unless they are eligible for allowable exemptions or postponement. Up-to-date information can be found on our Lakers Together website.

Grand Valley State University does not discriminate against students, faculty or staff in any of its employment practices or in its educational programs or activities. Grand Valley State University is guided by values for inclusiveness and community which are integral to our mission to educate students to shape their lives, their professions, and their societies, and to enrich the community through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and public service. The University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution. It encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. Members of the University community, including candidates for employment or admissions, and visitors or guests, have the right to be free from acts of harassment and discrimination, which are prohibited if they discriminate or harass on the basis of age, color, disability, familial status, height, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, veteran or active duty military status or weight. In addition, Grand Valley is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to ensure that none of its education programs and activities discriminate on the basis of sex/gender. Sex includes sex stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy or parenting status. The Office for Title IX and Institutional Equity serves as a resource for the GVSU community and assists individuals who may have been impacted by discrimination or harassment in connecting with resources, imposes measures that protect or support access to programs and activities, and oversees the university’s grievance process for allegations of discrimination and harassment. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, 4015 Zumberge Hall, titleix@gvsu.edu, (616) 331-9530.

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. See www.gvsu.edu/affirmative/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

About:

Grand Valley University (GVSU) is a public comprehensive institution located in West Michigan with campuses in Allendale, downtown Grand Rapids, and Holland, plus centers in Detroit, Muskegon and Traverse City. The University attracts more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students with high quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities, and has been nationally recognized for innovativeness and its contribution to students’ social mobility. The greater Grand Rapids metropolitan area has a population of around one million people, is affordable, and offers rich cultural amenities. Grand Valley is located within easy driving distance of Chicago, Detroit, Lake Michigan beaches, and many other superb summer and winter recreational venues. Information can be found at Community Resources – Human Resources – Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu). Grand Valley is highly rated for safety, sustainability, and veteran and LGBTQ friendliness, and is committed to supporting employees and their families in work-life balance. Culturally, the Grand Rapids area is an active hub for art and design, housing the Grand Rapids Art Museum, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, the South Division Street Corridor known as Avenue for the Arts, and the international art competition ArtPrize every two years. The university seeks to create an inclusive and diverse environment for faculty and students while promoting enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and service. More information can be found at Grand Valley State University (gvsu.edu).