Gallery Director
University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States, 39400
The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Gallery Director.
Location: Hattiesburg, 118 College Drive, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001, United States
Division: School of Performing and Visual Arts
Position Type: Staff
Employment Status: Full Time
Grant Funded: No
Pay Grade: E11
Posting Close Date: Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants The School of Performing Arts at USM is seeking a new Gallery Director. The Gallery of Art and Design is a university educational exhibition space that has enjoyed a long history at USM. Over the years, Art and Design’s exhibition program has presented numerous exhibitions of national scope, including yearly juried exhibitions of contemporary art and traveling exhibitions from private and public art collections. The gallery also regularly presents Art and Design student and faculty exhibitions. The Gallery is a 2000 sq. ft. contemporary space with dimmable track lighting, modular walls, and a Unistrut ceiling grid for sculptural installations and suspended works and serves as the primary exhibition space for The University of Southern Mississippi Museum of Art. The University of Southern Mississippi maintains a permanent art collection of more than two hundred works, is NAST, NASD, and NASAD accredited, and the School of Performing and Visual Arts houses BA and BFA programs in Theatre, Dance, and Art and Design. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).
Job Summary The Gallery Director provides leadership for the planning, curation, and implementation of visual arts exhibitions and related programming for the Art and Design program within the School of Performing and Visual Arts (SPVA). Working collaboratively with faculty and the A&D Exhibitions Committee, the position supports the University’s teaching mission through exhibitions, lectures, receptions, and community outreach initiatives. The Gallery Director oversees all gallery operations, including exhibition design and installation, budget management, artwork handling and logistics, and event coordination. This role supervises part-time gallery assistants and student workers to ensure professional gallery operations. This full-time staff position may include an embedded instructional load of up to one to two courses per semester, as needed. The position requires a flexible work schedule that may include occasional evenings and weekends.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Plans, curates, installs, and deinstalls visual arts exhibitions and coordinates related programming in collaboration with faculty and the A&D Exhibitions Committee.
Oversees day-to-day gallery operations, including scheduling, exhibition logistics, budget management, artwork shipping and receiving, and vendor coordination.
Supervises, trains, and schedules part-time gallery assistants and student workers to ensure professional gallery operations.
Ensures the proper care, handling, and presentation of artwork and maintains safe, professional use of gallery facilities in accordance with industry standards.
Teaches up to one to two courses per semester as needed and collaborates with faculty, staff, and community partners to support academic and outreach goals.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications Master’s of Arts from an accredited college or university in Art, Art History, Arts Management, Studio Art, Museum Studies, Design, or a related arts, and three (3) years of experience working in a professional gallery/museum setting and demonstrated teaching experience in higher education. Good organizational skills, collaborative skills, and clear communication skills.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
Demonstrated supervisory and managerial skills, including the ability to mentor, train, and provide constructive feedback to student employees with varying skill levels.
Knowledge of best practices in museum and gallery management, including exhibition planning, installation, and event coordination.
Ability to manage budgets and facilitate expenditures in compliance with University policies and procedures.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, for scheduling, documentation, budgeting, and reporting purposes.
Experience establishing work schedules, setting expectations, and overseeing gallery-related projects, exhibitions, and events.
Ability to support marketing and promotional efforts for exhibitions and programs in collaboration with faculty and staff.
Working knowledge of exhibition installation techniques, including the safe use of basic hand tools (e.g., tape measure, hammer, drill) and surface preparation methods such as sanding, spackling, and painting.
Ability to safely lift and move exhibition materials and equipment and to work on ladders as required for installation and gallery setup.
Preferred Qualifications
MFA or PhD from an accredited college or university in Art, Art History, Arts Management, Studio Art, Museum Studies, Design, or a related arts.
Five (5) years of experience in a professional gallery or museum setting in a managerial position.
Three (3) years of experience teaching in an arts program higher education.
Experience managing marketing timelines and event promotion.
Proven fundraising ability.
About The University of Southern Mississippi Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation's leading research institutions.
Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.
We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We’re developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.
The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.
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Location: Hattiesburg, 118 College Drive, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 39406-0001, United States
Division: School of Performing and Visual Arts
Position Type: Staff
Employment Status: Full Time
Grant Funded: No
Pay Grade: E11
Posting Close Date: Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants The School of Performing Arts at USM is seeking a new Gallery Director. The Gallery of Art and Design is a university educational exhibition space that has enjoyed a long history at USM. Over the years, Art and Design’s exhibition program has presented numerous exhibitions of national scope, including yearly juried exhibitions of contemporary art and traveling exhibitions from private and public art collections. The gallery also regularly presents Art and Design student and faculty exhibitions. The Gallery is a 2000 sq. ft. contemporary space with dimmable track lighting, modular walls, and a Unistrut ceiling grid for sculptural installations and suspended works and serves as the primary exhibition space for The University of Southern Mississippi Museum of Art. The University of Southern Mississippi maintains a permanent art collection of more than two hundred works, is NAST, NASD, and NASAD accredited, and the School of Performing and Visual Arts houses BA and BFA programs in Theatre, Dance, and Art and Design. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).
Job Summary The Gallery Director provides leadership for the planning, curation, and implementation of visual arts exhibitions and related programming for the Art and Design program within the School of Performing and Visual Arts (SPVA). Working collaboratively with faculty and the A&D Exhibitions Committee, the position supports the University’s teaching mission through exhibitions, lectures, receptions, and community outreach initiatives. The Gallery Director oversees all gallery operations, including exhibition design and installation, budget management, artwork handling and logistics, and event coordination. This role supervises part-time gallery assistants and student workers to ensure professional gallery operations. This full-time staff position may include an embedded instructional load of up to one to two courses per semester, as needed. The position requires a flexible work schedule that may include occasional evenings and weekends.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Plans, curates, installs, and deinstalls visual arts exhibitions and coordinates related programming in collaboration with faculty and the A&D Exhibitions Committee.
Oversees day-to-day gallery operations, including scheduling, exhibition logistics, budget management, artwork shipping and receiving, and vendor coordination.
Supervises, trains, and schedules part-time gallery assistants and student workers to ensure professional gallery operations.
Ensures the proper care, handling, and presentation of artwork and maintains safe, professional use of gallery facilities in accordance with industry standards.
Teaches up to one to two courses per semester as needed and collaborates with faculty, staff, and community partners to support academic and outreach goals.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications Master’s of Arts from an accredited college or university in Art, Art History, Arts Management, Studio Art, Museum Studies, Design, or a related arts, and three (3) years of experience working in a professional gallery/museum setting and demonstrated teaching experience in higher education. Good organizational skills, collaborative skills, and clear communication skills.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
Demonstrated supervisory and managerial skills, including the ability to mentor, train, and provide constructive feedback to student employees with varying skill levels.
Knowledge of best practices in museum and gallery management, including exhibition planning, installation, and event coordination.
Ability to manage budgets and facilitate expenditures in compliance with University policies and procedures.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, for scheduling, documentation, budgeting, and reporting purposes.
Experience establishing work schedules, setting expectations, and overseeing gallery-related projects, exhibitions, and events.
Ability to support marketing and promotional efforts for exhibitions and programs in collaboration with faculty and staff.
Working knowledge of exhibition installation techniques, including the safe use of basic hand tools (e.g., tape measure, hammer, drill) and surface preparation methods such as sanding, spackling, and painting.
Ability to safely lift and move exhibition materials and equipment and to work on ladders as required for installation and gallery setup.
Preferred Qualifications
MFA or PhD from an accredited college or university in Art, Art History, Arts Management, Studio Art, Museum Studies, Design, or a related arts.
Five (5) years of experience in a professional gallery or museum setting in a managerial position.
Three (3) years of experience teaching in an arts program higher education.
Experience managing marketing timelines and event promotion.
Proven fundraising ability.
About The University of Southern Mississippi Since our founding in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi has remained dedicated to preparing students for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 students in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. We are a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one of the nation's leading research institutions.
Southern Miss is known for pioneering work in polymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringing language to children with communication disorders. We are also a national leader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography, nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.
We produce graduates ready to enter fields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs such as computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We’re developing the next generation of business leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages by producing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition of excellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nation accredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, our student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion and persistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.
The University of Southern Mississippi is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. EOE/VETS/DISABILITY.
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