Intro about Dept./Unit/Program

The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) at NYU Shanghai is a non-profit kunsthalle and research center committed to the development, presentation, and exchange of diverse ideas through contemporary arts. As the university art gallery of NYU Shanghai, the ICA pursues biennial artistic research programs through public exhibitions, events, and publications that experiment with ways of knowing, being, and relating to ourselves and the world.

Applicants with an interest in the ICA at NYU Shanghai’s mission and committed to the core values and ideas stated in the ICA at NYU Shanghai’s vision are encouraged to apply. https://ica.nyu.shanghai.edu

The Assistant Curator, Academic & Public Programs provides curatorial and organizational support on all aspects of ICA at NYU Shanghai’s programs and operations.  Curatorial support includes the research, development, planning, and implementation of academic and public programs. Organizational support includes the management of finances, communications, trainee staff, and facilities, in cooperation with related university departments. The position includes the opportunity to propose and conceive of new/original programs, under the direction and guidance of the Director/Curator.  

The position is an opportunity for an early career curator in the non-profit gallery and museum sector to make significant contributions to the ongoing development of an arts organization “still instituting.”  The ideal candidate is committed to the practice of critically reflexive arts administration, continuous with their curatorial practice.  

The main responsibilities include:

Curatorial (60%)

Public Programs:

• Develop, plan, and implement public programs each season that enrich and expand upon each exhibition season and biennial artistic research programs;
• Conduct bibliographic and other curatorial research related to program design and development;
• Propose potential public programs (talks, workshops, screenings, performances, etc.)  in tandem with upcoming/ongoing exhibitions and artistic research programs;
• Design programs in coordination with Director/Curator and artists/guests/collaborators, particularly for local and institutional contexts;
• Manage all aspects of production and presentation of public programs, including communication with artists/guests/collaborators and supervising vendors, suppliers, and contractors;
• Schedule and monitor day-to-day workflow of project schedules, including event checklists and rundowns;
• Draft, monitor, and maintain project budgets, including obtaining estimates, sourcing vendors/suppliers, acquiring quotes, and contracting vendors/supplies and contractors;
• Draft and process participation agreements with public program guests;
• Manage all aspects of event-related logistics, including staffing, scheduling, transportation, lodging, equipment, etc;
• Plan and prepare event-related materials, supplies, services, and equipment;
• Supervise on-site during events;
• Supervise documentation of events, including distribution/publication and archiving of event-related documents and ephemera.

Academic/Community Engagement:

• Develop, plan, and implement academic and community engagement initiatives that enrich and expand the educational mission of the ICA;
• Cultivate relationships with university and local communities, developing strategies to engage with diverse audiences on various levels and across disciplines;
• Propose and develop academic/community engagement activities, in both leading and supporting roles, working in collaboration with university educators, students, and administrators, as well as external organizations;
• Manage all aspects of academic/community engagement initiatives and activities, from conceptualization to implementation;
• Contribute to the development of educational and interpretive strategies to engage new, underserved, and diverse audiences; 
• Develop and implement ICA Gallery Guide program, in collaboration with Assistant Curator, Exhibitions & Mediation.

Communications:

• Develop, plan, and implement program-related public communications campaigns;
• Gather and secure program-related information, texts, images, and other media assets;
• Assist with writing, translation, editing, and proofreading of program-related print and digital materials;
• Supervise design and production of program-related print and digital materials;
• Publish/distribute public communications on ICA-owned platforms;
• Conduct outreach and manage inquiries for press and media;
• Oversee marketing on university and third-party platforms;
• Coordinate communications campaigns with University Communications.

Organizational (30%)

• Monitor and maintain operational budgets, including obtaining estimates, sourcing vendors/suppliers, acquiring quotes, and contracting vendors/supplies and contractors;
• Help maintain departmental calendars and weekly agenda tracking overall goals, program specific goals, and short-term tasks;
• Catalog, store, and organize programs-related collateral/ephemeral in digital and physical archives;
• Catalog, store, and organize programs-related supplies, materials, and equipment for reuse/recycle;
• Help with acquiring, cataloging, storing, and organizing ICA reading room collections;
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise intern(s), student workers, and contractors, in coordination with colleagues;
• Help maintain office, studio, and storage supplies and facilities;
• Help organize and maintain files and records;
• Support the team in daily operations and departmental activities. 

Other (10%)

• Assist in identifying funding opportunities for programs and drafting grant proposals, presentations, and applications;
• Provide support in data collection and analysis for programs evaluations, measuring and reporting impact, and other institutional research and fundraising efforts;
• Compose and monitor reporting to local government authorities;
• Serve as liaison with other university offices, departments, and entities;
• Oversee general email inbox and field inquiries from general public, scholars, and press/media;
• Maintain relationships with the general public, professional organizations and associations and assist in establishing and maintaining effective contacts with the arts, cultural, government and business communities locally, nationally, and internationally;
• Travel as time and budget allow for research and professional development purposes;
• Staff gallery reception and provide tours when necessary;
• Perform additional duties when necessary.

Required Education   

• Bachelor's Degree required;
• Master's Degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies or related discipline preferred.

Required Experience & Knowledge

• 3-4 years of previous experience in arts administration, preferably in a nonprofit organization or academic institution;
• Previous experience in organizing academic/public programs required;
• Proven project management experience, from conceptualization to execution preferred;
• Previous experience in a mentorship and/or supervisory role preferred;
• Strong knowledge of contemporary art, art history, and theory required;
• Working knowledge of local/regional art history and ecologies preferred.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional and social intelligence;
• Ability to work proactively, independently, and collaboratively;
• Demonstrated problem solving with creativity and resourcefulness;
• Demonstrated skill in organization and rigorous attention to detail;
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously and move between both curatorial and administrative responsibilities;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including writing, editing, proofreading, translation, as well as public speaking;
• Ability to fluently speak, read, and write in Mandarin Chinese and English languages;
• Able to conduct research in both Mandarin Chinese and English language media spheres and knowledge ecosystems;
• Proficiency software such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Adobe CS, and Apple iOS applications;
• Able to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion;
• Able to work five full days/week, Monday through Friday, 10am-6pm, plus additional hours on weekday evenings and weekends as necessary.

About NYU Shanghai

NYU Shanghai is China’s first Sino-US research university and the third degree-granting campus of the NYU Global Network. We were founded in 2012 by New York University and East China Normal University with the support of the city of Shanghai and the district of Pudong. NYU Shanghai seeks to cultivate globally-minded graduates through innovative teaching, world-class research, and a commitment to public service. 

NYU Shanghai is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion. We are proud of its diverse and talented staff members, who work together to build and sustain this unique and pioneering institution of higher education in China. 

For more information about NYU Shanghai, please visit https://shanghai.nyu.edu. You can also follow our official WeChat Account: NYUShanghaiRecruit for more updated news.