Modern and Contemporary Art Curator

Department: Ulrich Museum of Art

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Range for position from $61,000 - 65,000 based on qualifications

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 9-5, Some evenings and weekends

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

At the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University, we don’t just exhibit art—we create space for conversation, collaboration, and discovery. With a collection that rivals the quality of major museums around the globe, we’ve built a reputation as a hub where curators launch meaningful careers and make their mark in the field. Now, we’re seeking our next Curator—a dynamic professional ready to shape exhibitions, experiment with ideas, and connect art to our diverse community.

This isn’t a “plug and play” curatorial position where traveling shows arrive in crates. Here, you’ll curate it all—from concept to execution—developing 6–8 original exhibitions each year. You’ll research collections, work directly with artists, collaborate with designers, and create interpretive materials that invite visitors to experience art in new and accessible ways.

But this role is also about people. Our Curator is both a scholar and a connector—someone who can write compellingly to assist in obtaining more grants, and build strong relationships with artists, donors, and community partners.

The Kind of Person We’re Looking For

We want a curator who is as comfortable rolling up their sleeves as they are working within the national network. A team player who can thrive as the museum’s sole curator, ready to wear many hats in a single day.
Our team is close and you need to be comfortable in shared working environments.
Community-oriented, curious about co-creating with colleagues, visitors, and partners rather than curating in a vacuum.
Willing to push the edge—experimenting with innovative curatorial approaches while respecting the integrity of the collection.
Skilled (or eager to learn) in grant writing, fundraising, and networking—because building resources is part of building exhibitions.
Experienced in exhibition design, collection research, and artist relations—with a preference for those with museum experience.
Open to learning new skills, whether diving into graphic design or exploring new technologies that enhance visitor engagement.

If you’re ready to curate exhibitions that matter, connect art to community, and grow as both a professional and a creative thinker, we’d love to see what you can bring to our table. Apply today and help shape the next chapter of our museum’s story!
This is an in-person position that thrives on collaboration, presence, and the spark of shared creativity.

Job Summary

Manages museum art acquisitions, collections, and exhibitions utilizing broad-based learning strategies to creatively interpret and contextualize modern and contemporary art for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Develops relationships that enhance and cultivate exhibition and acquisition opportunities. Participates in both short and long-term planning. Conducts research and develops publications.

Essential Functions

Participates in research and publication efforts related to the collection. Ensures adherence to established policies. Serves the museum's educational mission by overseeing student interns on the development of research and writing skills. Encourages University engagement by developing campus relationships and seeking opportunities for collaboration and joint research related to museum collections, exhibitions, and publications. Collaborates with local and regional artists and/or groups and executes applicable policies and processes related to the curation of both collection and loaned works of art. Collaborates with staff in the development and implementation of exhibitions, programs and educational experiences. Develops plans and implements strategies to generate funds and other resources for the museum, particularly through grant-writing in support of the Museum's exhibitions.

Job Duties

What You’ll Do

• Curate and develop original exhibitions from the Ulrich’s distinguished collection and beyond.
• Collaborate with an exhibition designer, manager, and interns to bring shows to life.
• Write and research catalogs, artists, and interpretive materials that deepen engagement.
• Manage budget tracking, grant writing as well as fundraising.
• Foster donor and artist relationships while expanding a professional network in the field.
• Create experiences that welcome, inspire, and resonate with diverse audiences.
• Mentor/Supervise interns.
• This job description is not an exhaustive list of all the job responsibilities. The curator may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, as needed.
  
  

Required Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in art history or related field
• Three (3) years of experience in art or related field

Required License/Certifications/Training:

None

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed for events, tours, and donor engagement.
• Understanding of curatorial standards for global contemporary artists. Including developing curatorial projects and exhibition design.
• Must have strong writing and communication skills with a history of writing and publication(s).
• Experience with fundraising, and donor relations.
• Strong knowledge of and experience with Microsoft suite and Adobe Cloud.
• Ability to communicate clearly, verbally, and in writing, with colleagues, collaborators, and artists.
• Knowledge of budgetary tracking.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graphic design knowledge and/or willingness to learn more for professional use and success.
• Experience with Microsoft suite and Adobe Cloud at the intermediate to advanced level.
• Grant writing, research or knowledge strongly desired but not required.

Additional Information:

A complete application packet includes (you will be prompted to upload these as part of your application):

1. Cover letter,
2. List or link of curated exhibitions,
3. List or link of publications
   
   This is an in-person position that thrives on collaboration, presence, and the spark of shared creativity.
   Our team works in a shared working environment, candidates should be comfortable in this setting to succeed.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information. Ability to move or traverse across campus, within buildings and offices, and/or across external environments.