Program Manager at International Center of Photography

The International Center of Photography (ICP) is the world’s leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. Through our exhibitions, education, public programs, and community outreach, we offer an open forum for dialogue about the power of the image. Since our founding in 1974, we have presented more than 700 exhibitions and offered thousands of classes, providing instruction at every level. Our new integrated center on the Lower East Side reunites our school and museum in one space to become the cultural anchor of Essex Crossing.

Program Philosophy and Overview

 

Building upon ICP’s mission as an institution dedicated to socially, politically and  creative engagement the program focuses on curating photography in all of its forms and applications. The program helps guide students to think through the questions specific to curating photography and the various choices and processes that go into curatorial practice more generally.  The program emphasizes a hands-on experiential approach to education, taking advantage of ICP’s museum school at 79 Essex Street as the students’ home base with unique access to a world-class exhibition program;  NYC’s unique qualities as a museum-without-walls, and a collection of over 200,000 objects, state-of-the arts photography studios and classrooms, and its professional community of artists. 

 

The program is focused on encouraging the development of curious, hands-on, and independently-minded curators who understand how to present their ideas, be enterprising, understand the practicalities of curatorial work and work within and without various institutional structures and curatorial formats. 

 

Students will work collaboratively with their mentor, fellow students, lecturers and ICP professionals to synthesize ideas and theory into practice through a range of projects that include public programs, symposia, photobooks, exhibitions, archives, and screens, among other innovative approaches.  

Position Summary:

ICP is seeking a dynamic and energetic person to oversee the launch, recruiting and ongoing management of the new One Year Certificate program in Photography Curatorial Practices.  The Program manager plays an essential role in maintaining the excellence of the program and working with the core curatorial leadership team to ensure the program meets the academic and enrollment goals, fulfills the mission, and provides successful outcomes for the students. 

• The manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of this unique program, maintaining well organized curricular offerings, and management of the programmatic track for each of the students. 
• This includes mentor and faculty recruitment, overseeing the student’s program of study, course scheduling, managing visiting curators and artists, assessment, community relations, development and budgetary oversight. 
• Recruitment of student candidates is a core responsibility through our alumni and external initiatives.
• The manager will facilitate the logistics of students in the program working between the ICP school and museum, the off-site archive and work being done out in the community. 
• Working in a cultural center dedicated to photography the administrator will maximize and maintain successful integrated relationships and programming with the 3 institutional pillars of the school, collection and museum.
• Paramount is the development of nimble strategies to support innovation in contemporary curatorial practices and to maintain a lively and inclusive program of study. 

Preferred  Qualifications:

  

ICP is committed to equal opportunity employment. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are values that are integral to offering an open forum for dialogue around photography and visual culture that is open to all. Through this lens, we hope to engage, educate, and inspire our visitors, students, and community at large. We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds and look forward to receiving your application

Preferred Educational Qualifications: 

• MFA in Photography or Studio Art or professional equivalent.  
• Advanced Degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Photography,  Studio Art or professional equivalent.

Preferred Experience Qualifications:

• Three years’ museum experience in curatorial with a specialization in photography or equivalent in other art and commercial gallery contexts.
• Significant project management experience.
• Museum administration experience.
• A proven record in teaching
• A strong creative, professional, or research background, and experience in administrative leadership.

Additional Competency Requirement (Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

• Familiarity with current theories in museum education and contemporary curatorial practices 
• Sound knowledge of art, art history, and photography – aesthetics, history, and craft
• Must be able to lead and support a diverse and dynamic faculty and student body
• Understanding of curriculum development
• A strong desire to make the rewards of artistic expression accessible to diverse audiences
• Must be a high energy, enthusiastic, and creative thinker
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organization skills
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Ability to select and use training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Ability to monitor and assess their own performance, the performance of other individuals, the performance of the program to make improvements or take corrective action.

Working Conditions:

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience.
• ICP provides its staff with a generous benefits package featuring medical, dental, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, pre-tax transit and flexible spending programs, and 403(b) pension plan. (See benefit summary here )

How to Apply

• Please submit a resume and cover letter HERE

This job was found via Words of Mouth