Institute for Contemporary Art Curatorial Assistant and Exhibitions Program Manager

The Curatorial Assistant & Exhibition Programs Manager supports the research, development, and realization of exhibitions, publications, curatorial initiatives, and artistic programs. Acting as a central bridge between artists and the institution during the conceptual and developmental phases of projects, this role guides artistic initiatives from early ideation through finalized curatorial content and program execution ensuring deliverables to ICA’s Project Manager.

Working closely with curators, artists, designers, and collaborators, the Curatorial Assistant & Exhibition Programs Manager oversees curatorial research, exhibition development, interpretive materials, artist publications, and artist-facing coordination. The position is responsible for ensuring that exhibitions and curatorial programs develop cohesively across research, content creation, planning, and institutional coordination prior to production implementation.

This role focuses on the intellectual, creative, and organizational development of artistic initiatives while overseeing curatorial programs from concept through execution.

• Conduct research related to exhibitions, artists, commissions, publications, and institutional initiatives.
• Assist curators and artists in the development of exhibition concepts, thematic frameworks, and curatorial narratives.
• Support the refinement and completion of exhibition checklists in collaboration with artists and curators.
• Coordinate artist communication throughout exhibition and publication development processes.
• Draft, edit, and oversee the development of interpretive materials including wall texts, brochures, didactics, web content, exhibition guides, and publications.
• Coordinate image acquisition, editorial workflows, rights management, and publication materials related to exhibitions and artist projects.
• Assist in the development and coordination of artist publications and exhibition-related printed materials.

• Serve as a primary liaison between artists and the institution during the development phases of exhibitions and curatorial initiatives.
• Guide projects from early ideation through finalized curatorial content and institutional alignment.
• Schedule and coordinate planning meetings, studio visits, site visits, and project development sessions.
• Coordinate artist itineraries, hospitality, and travel related to exhibition development, curatorial research, institutional partnerships, and touring exhibition research.
• Organize research travel and logistical planning connected to curatorial initiatives and institutional collaborations.
• Maintain project documentation, meeting notes, schedules, and curatorial records throughout development stages.
• Collaborate closely with the Project Manager to transition finalized materials and approved project content into production and implementation phases.

• Lead the development, planning, coordination, and execution of exhibition programs from ideation through implementation.
• Collaborate with artists, curators, speakers, performers, and institutional partners on public-facing initiatives connected to exhibitions and institutional priorities.
• Develop program timelines, organizational workflows, and planning structures for curatorial initiatives and public programs.
• Coordinate program logistics including schedules, hospitality, travel, itineraries, run-of-show documents, and internal communications.
• Work closely with communications, exhibitions, AV, visitor engagement, and operations teams to ensure successful implementation of curatorial programs.
• Support interdisciplinary programming including screenings, lectures, performances, symposia, and public conversations.

• Maintain organized curatorial records, calendars, schedules, and project documentation.
• Assist with budget tracking, contracts, invoices, and administrative coordination related to curatorial initiatives and programs.
• Support grant-related research, reporting, and institutional planning initiatives as needed.
• Ensure consistent communication and coordination across artists, curators, institutional partners, and internal departments throughout project development phases.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies, Arts Administration, or related field or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training
• Minimum 2–4 years of experience in a museum, gallery, nonprofit arts organization, or related cultural institution.
• Strong research, writing, editorial, and organizational abilities.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating exhibitions, publications, artist projects, or curatorial programs.
• Excellent communication and project coordination skills.
• Knowledge of contemporary art and curatorial practice required.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.