Curator and Exhibition Manager | Houston, TX
Art League Houston
Curator and Exhibition Manager
Reports to the Executive Director
Title: Curator and Exhibition Manager
Status: full-time, 4 days a week (occasional nights and weekends for exhibition openings, talks, fundraisers, etc.)
Reports to: ALH Executive Director
Salary: Annual Salary $60k, $600 monthly health stipend, matching 401k up to 4%
Position Summary:
The Curator and Exhibition Manager is responsible for managing multiple projects within the Exhibitions Department, a key area of Art League Houston’s mission. This position oversees all aspects of the exhibition process, including installation, exhibition management, curatorial organization, and administrative operations, with the goal of implementing exhibitions and installations that fulfill the organization’s mission. Additionally, this position oversees external partnerships for exhibitions.
The Curator and Exhibition Manager works closely with the Executive Director and other department managers. The duties of this position are fast-paced and complex, and the ideal candidate must have significant installation and exhibition management experience, be highly organized, have excellent communication skills, and be professional, proactive, and an outstanding problem solver.
An essential function of this role is to facilitate the exhibition planning and implementation process while ensuring numerous day-to-day details are handled well, often managing multiple installations, exhibitions, and projects simultaneously. Key areas of coordination include creating and maintaining project schedules, managing budgets, processing invoices, and ensuring clear interdepartmental communication.
This position works four days a week, with occasional evening and weekend hours for installations, receptions, artist talks, and other events.
Primary Duties
Exhibition & Curatorial Management
● Manage all exhibition and special project logistics, including installation coordination, artwork handling, and artist travel and accommodations
● Organize and curate the annual Texas Artist of the Year and biannual Lifetime Achievement Award in the Visual Arts exhibitions
● Collaborate with other departments to organize to organize exhibitions that support ALH's outreach and education activities, such as the student, instructor, and Healing Arts program exhibitions
● Create and maintain exhibition production schedules and annual schedules
● Manage and monitor budgets and forecasts
● Generate artist contracts and loan agreements and track correspondence
● Coordinate artwork shipping and transportation
● Organize opening receptions, artist talks, and other programs developed with artists in support of their exhibitions
● Build and maintain relationships with artists, institutions, and cultural partners across Texas to support collaborations and exhibitions
Installation
● Manage exhibition installation and de-installation, including hands-on work in the galleries
● Schedule and lead art handlers and installation teams
● Facilitate gallery maintenance including wall repair, painting, and lighting
● Order artist materials and installation supplies as needed
● Coordinate artwork transportation and logistics for incoming and outgoing works
● Unpack, condition report as needed, and pack artwork for shipment or pickup
● Manage gallery lighting and inventory
Fundraising
● Assist the Executive Director with grant research, writing, and reporting
● Engage with donors, board members, and external partners in support of exhibitions and program
Design & Communication
● Oversee design and production of exhibition materials such as postcards, banners, and vinyl
● Collaborate with staff to develop marketing materials and social media content related to exhibitions and programs
● Coordinate catalogue production for award exhibitions such as the Texas Artist of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement in the Visual Arts
● Coordinate final stages of Texas Artist Today Volume II catalog production
● Work with Communications staff to support exhibition marketing efforts
Public Programming & Engagement
● Organize and lead public programming, including gallery talks, panel discussions, workshops, and educational events in collaboration with other departments
● Oversee Young Professionals programming and Coffee with a Curator events, and develop new audience engagement initiatives
● Coordinate and lead exhibition tours for partners, donors, and community groups
Additional Duties
● Manage logistics for the annual Gala Silent Art Auction and Preview Event
● Assist with fundraising events, including the MARTY Healing Art program fundraiser and annual Gala
● Manage and serve as liaison to the Artist Advisory Board
● Oversee the open call for exhibition proposals and selection process
● Represent the organization on panels, juries, and at public events
● Oversee ALH retail items and publications, including inventory and sales of branded materials
● Manage ALH’s participation in art fairs and book fairs
● Provide expertise and collaboration on internal and external initiatives across departments and with partner organizations
Experience & Skills
● Minimum B.A. or B.F.A. degree in studio art, art history or related field (M.A. preferred)
● Minimum 4 years’ experience working in exhibition planning and production at an artist-centered organization, art gallery, museum, or other cultural organization
● Ability to work onsite 4 days per week (and occasional nights and weekends for exhibition installations, openings, talks, fundraisers, etc.)
● Excellent organization, writing, and time management skills
● Strong attention to detail
● Art installation/handling experience preferred
● Must be familiar with basic tools, be able to lift objects of 50 lbs, and climb ladders
● Passionate interest in contemporary art exhibition management and the role of art in the community
Art League Houston Mission
The mission of Art League Houston is to connect the community through diverse, dynamic, and creative experiences that bring people together to see, make, and talk about contemporary visual art.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter, along with a resume/CV with three professional references (Word or PDF format), and two writing samples via email only to
jobs@artleaguehouston.org. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No drop-ins or phone calls, please.
Art League Houston is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) that values workplace diversity. Art League Houston does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, ancestry, disability, marital or partnership status, or veteran status.