Exhibits and Art Curator
Reporting to the Director of Special Collections and Archives, the Exhibits and Art Curator actively collaborates with Cal Poly colleagues and other partners to deliver a robust library exhibits program. This program supports a collective vision for the library as a centralized place on campus to showcase creative activities across colleges and disciplines. Using exhibition as a mode of public presentation, the library exhibits program highlights campus research and scholarship, projects, and the unique and significant collections that distinguish Cal Poly and its library. The Exhibits and Art Curator will develop sustainable methods of exhibiting—formal, informal, physical, and digital. Through interpretation, the Exhibits and Art Curator will develop creative, meaningful exhibits in the library, expanding the university’s ability to communicate expressions of Cal Poly Learn by Doing and the Teacher-Scholar Model, build networks, and engage in social and cultural dialog on a wide range of subjects. The Exhibits and Art Curator also has primary responsibility for the stewardship of the University Art Collections, which includes acquisition activities such as overseeing the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for commissions of new art approved by the Art Acquisitions Committee, and the management, description, promotion, use, and display of these collections.
Department Summary
Special Collections and Archives (SCA) is a department in the Kennedy Library that collects, preserves, exhibits, and provides access to rare and unique cultural heritage materials that support the polytechnic curriculum and wider scholarship. These materials, which require curatorial stewardship, enrich and beautify the campus environment. SCA is comprised of university archives; personal and professional papers; organizational records; published works such as artists’ books, prints, and maps; photographs; and works of art. Subject strengths include California architecture and the built environment; graphic arts; and the documentation of the Central Coast and Cal Poly, including land development and use; environmentalism and conservation; tourism and promotion; and economic development and culture.
Required qualifications
- Leads the library’s exhibits program, providing strategic, creative and operational direction and oversight. Collaborates and coordinates with library faculty, teaching faculty, students, staff, and others to present exhibits to highlight research, scholarship and collections. With support from staff and student assistants, schedules, plans, organizes, designs, fabricates, prepares, installs, and promotes exhibits and related events.
- Manages the development, use, and care of exhibit spaces in the library, and related display furniture, equipment, technology, and supplies.
- Researches, recommends, updates, and maintains practices, procedures, policies, and forms to administer the program.
- Researches, recommends, tests, and adopts software platforms and tools for digital exhibiting and publishing. Oversees and facilitates the creation of digital exhibits and digital publications such as illustrated catalogs based on physical exhibits.
- Manages, describes, cares for, and promotes object based collections.
- Supervises student employees, interns, and fellows who support program activities.
Education and Experience
- Master’s degree in fine arts or library science with applicable courses in the fine arts or equivalent training and experience, plus one year of related curatorial, library or teaching work.
How to apply
To apply, visit: https://jobs.calpoly.edu/en-us/job/538475/exhibits-and-art-curator to complete the required online staff application.
About Kennedy Library
Kennedy Library is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing campus-wide information resources and related services. Integrating traditional library resources and services with digital tools, the Robert E. Kennedy Library continuously adapts its services, programs, and spaces to meet the evolving academic programs, research interests, and needs of the university community. Providing access to information resources, classrooms, computer labs, an expansive 24-hour space, and an array of group and individual study spaces, Kennedy Library is a magnet for students and faculty alike. Annual visitors exceed 1.5 million.
About Cal Poly
Cal Poly is a nationally ranked comprehensive public university located in San Luis Obispo, California. With more than 18,000 undergraduates and approximately 1000 graduate students, Cal Poly fosters teaching, scholarship, and service in a learn-by-doing environment where students and faculty are partners in discovery. As a polytechnic university, Cal Poly promotes the application of theory to practice. As a comprehensive institution, Cal Poly provides a balanced education in the arts, sciences, and technology, while encouraging cross-disciplinary and co-curricular experiences. As an academic community, Cal Poly values free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.
For more information, see: https://afd.calpoly.edu/hr/job-opportunities/prospective
About SLO
Cal Poly’s location in San Luis Obispo makes it one of the best places to visit. It’s a quintessential coastal California town with some 43,000 residents. Located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles and just minutes from beaches, state parks, landmarks and premium wine regions, it’s also a popular vacation spot. Sunset Magazine has called it the most Californian place in all of California.
The city of San Luis Obispo offers a historic, restored downtown full of restaurants, theatres, art galleries and shops centered around San Luis Obispo Creek, Mission San Luis Obispo and Mission Plaza. San Luis Obispo’s Thursday night Farmer’s Market on Higuera Street has become a model for cities around the state. It’s a mix of fresh produce and flowers, baked goods, restaurant fare and free music all within strolling distance.
San Luis Obispo is just minutes from some of California’s best beaches and original beach cities: Avila Beach (10 miles), Pismo Beach (12 miles), Morro Bay (17 miles), Montaña de Oro State Park (18 miles), Cayucos (18 miles), the Pismo Dunes (28 miles) and world-famous Hearst Castle ( 45 miles).