OPEN CALL: Executive Director for the Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University and the VCU School of the Arts (VCUarts) invite nominations and applications for the position of Executive Director of the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA).

The ICA has become a focal point of Richmond’s energetic arts district, serving as a nexus for creativity and inclusion, where innovative thinking and transformational ideas are drawn from a spectrum of disciplines. In a striking building designed by Stephen Holl, the ICA is positioned minutes away from the highly regarded Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, with easy access to museums, galleries, and institutions up and down the East Coast. Unlike museums that house permanent collections, the ICA’s responsive exhibitions and performances invite audience engagement and challenge visitors to experience and examine art in unexpected ways.

The ICA seeks a visionary leader who will provide the creative vision, leadership and strategic direction to further shape its role as an outstanding arts institution and part of the highly-ranked VCUarts. The executive director will be a convener of extraordinary ideas and a curious, inspiring, innovative, entrepreneurial, and experienced collaborator who brings to the role a record of achievement reflective of the ICA’s standards of excellence.

Reporting directly to the Dean of VCUarts, who also serves as the Special Assistant to the Provost for VCUarts Qatar, the executive director has a secondary reporting relationship to the University Provost. This position is an Executive and Senior Leader Staff position; however, candidates may be eligible for a term (non-tenure eligible) faculty appointment depending upon their qualifications and experience. The executive director could teach in a discipline that aligns with their area of expertise. Within the context of VCUarts’ mission, the executive director will leverage the ICA’s unique positioning in an arts and design school, within an R1 research university, at the intersection of Richmond’s rich and diverse community.

The successful candidate will hold a terminal degree in a relevant discipline and will have proven experience in administration and a strong track record in fundraising, development and budgeting, supplementing their capacity for driving dynamic, innovative and experimental programing. This individual will closely collaborate with the faculty, key volunteer leaders, staff, students, and community to incorporate the ICA into VCUarts’ strategic plan that aligns with the university’s strategic plan, Quest 2028: One VCU Together We Transform.

Additional Information can be found here. Minimum starting salary of 200,000 USD is expected. Final salary based on credentials and experience of the hire.

For best consideration, please send all nominations and applications (including letter of interest, diversity statement, CV, and references) by May 3, 2024 to:

Susan VanGilder, Global Managing Partner and Practice Leader
Susan Kart, Senior Search Associate
Lareese Hall, Senior Search Associate
VCUICA2024@storbecksearch.com

For more information, please visit the ICA home page.

Virginia Commonwealth University does not discriminate in admissions, treatment, employment or access to its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin (including ethnicity), age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), parenting status, marital status, political affiliation, military status (including veteran status), genetic information (including family medical history), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008; the Virginia Human Rights Act; the Virginia Personnel Act; and other state or federal laws and university policies. VCU prohibits sexual harassment and sex-based misconduct, including sexual assault and other forms of interpersonal violence. VCU also prohibits discrimination against employees or applicants for employment because they have inquired about, discussed or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.