Category Archives: Casting Call

The Art & Design, Music, and Theatre & Dance programs make up the School of the Arts that sit in the College of Arts and Sciences at Northern Kentucky University. The Art & Design Program offers an innovative and engaging opportunity for aspiring artists and designers who seek professional training in the arts. The Art & Design Program has 19 full-time faculty and 5 full-time staff that embrace a comprehensive hands-on approach to working with materials and techniques while developing critical thinking skills related to the various art disciplines and studio training. The NKU Art Galleries serve as a premier venue for the exhibition of high-quality artworks from regional, national, and international artists as well as a creative forum for students, the campus community, and the region.

Established in 1968, NKU is a 15,000-student, nationally recognized, growing metropolitan university located seven miles from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Greater Cincinnati has one of the most vibrant and multifaceted cultural scenes in the Midwest, with the Cincinnati Art Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, 21c Museum Hotel, and a plethora of galleries such as The Weston, Carl Solway, and Manifest Gallery. Cincinnati offers an outstanding quality of life, a dynamic arts community, and an affordable cost of living. NKU is committed to active engagement with the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region of over two million people. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, but especially from individuals who contribute to the diversity of our academic community.

• Management of planning, organization, installation, and publicity for gallery exhibitions in NKU Art Galleries and SOTA Community Showcase Atrium. Work with internal and external stakeholders for events and promotion of the arts on campus and in the region.
• Work with the Art & Design Program Head and Art & Design Faculty in support of Art & Design academic unit/departmental/program goals, and student success. The primary of which is to organize, plan, and install BFA senior exhibitions in the fall and spring semesters and the Annual Juried Student Exhibition. Participation in relevant Art & Design faculty and staff meetings and planning meetings with the Art & Design Program Head/SOTA Director.
• Manage the NKU Art Collection and student art in the Fine Arts Center and across campus. Explore interdisciplinary opportunities with other academic units across campus. Support SOTA and Art and design planning, wayfinding, and other initiatives as needed.
• Work with SOTA Publicity & Art Events Manager and Art & Design Program Head to maintain gallery mailing lists, digital archives, and gallery communications.
• Serve as chair of the Art & Design gallery committee in the selection of suitable exhibitions for the galleries and develop and explore emerging trends in exhibitions, including digital and virtual galleries on social media to expand audiences beyond our region and expose students to these skill sets.
• In consultation with the SOTA Budget Officer, plan and allocate the budget for the NKU Galleries.
• Maintain contact and relationships with gallery patrons, art community, area K-12 school art programs, and area museums/galleries. Act as a liaison for SOTA/Art & Design with artists, curators, arts councils, etc.
• Explore grant and funding opportunities, and compile data related to the galleries as requested.
• Maintain gallery inventory including equipment, tools, and University art collection. Oversee maintenance of gallery equipment.
• Oversee gallery assistants, student gallery assistants, and interns for the NKU Galleries.
• Contribute and teach capstone BFA Senior Exhibition and Gallery/Museum Studies courses
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders for events and promotion of the arts on campus and across the region
• Approximately 8 exhibitions a year in the NKU Art Galleries and 4 exhibitions in the SOTA Community Showcase Atrium

• Well-versed in contemporary and historical art + design practice
• Minimum 3 years of curatorial or gallery management experience
• Programming and facilitating community outreach with diverse communities
• College-level teaching experience preferred

Please attach the following documents to complete your application:

1. Cover Letter (outlining qualifications)

2. CV

3. Names and Contact Information of 3 references

4. Diversity Statement*

5. Artist Statement / Curatorial Interests

6. Documentation of Professional Work (writing examples of exhibition brochures, curatorial
essays, catalogs, and or 10 – 20 images of previously organized exhibitions)

7. Student Work Examples – can include writing examples and or images of student work
with an image list (optional)

*The diversity statement should provide the candidate’s unique perspective on their
past and present contributions to and future aspirations for promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice in their professional career. (In line with the University’s Affirmative Action Policy, candidates are not expected to disclose their identity or membership either in the diversity statement or in other application documents submitted to the search committee. Demographic
information is solicited through the application process; however, those data are confidential and are not provided to members of the search committee.)