Director of Ross Art Museum

Ohio Wesleyan University is a selective, private, undergraduate liberal art, residential institution founded in 1842 and located just 20 miles north of Columbus, is seeking candidates for the position of Museum Director. This is a salaried, full time, 10-month position with benefits.

The Richard M. Ross Museum at Ohio Wesleyan University invites applications for the position of Museum Director.

About you:

The right person for this position will be a hands-on manager that is enthusiastic about the opportunity to run a small museum. The new Director will maintain successful exhibit initiatives, and identify new ways to highlight a newly revised university curriculum and engage students from across departments in interdisciplinary learning opportunities.

Over the past five years the Ross Art Museum has successfully positioned itself as a valuable campus and community partner. The university’s signature program, the OWU Connection, which provides students with experiential learning beyond the classroom, and offers an excellent platform for internships. The museum has prioritized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts to ensure that its programing, board and staff, and policy all reflect a diverse campus community.

We seek a new Director that is passionate about these issues and understands that they are essential to maintaining an excellent museum. Finally, the next director will enjoy strong partnerships with local community organizations, particularly the working relationship with the City of Delaware, Ohio, and a network of peer museum directors through the Greater Lakes College Association and Ohio Five consortia.

About us:

The museum’s mission is to be a vital resource center that provides exhibitions, a Permanent Teaching Collection, and educational programming for the OWU community and audiences in Central Ohio. The museum is governed by the University Board of Trustees and has its own National Advisory Board. In addition to the director, the Ross Museum staff includes a full-time Curator of Collections (which will be hired by the Director), and a part-time Preparator. The museum is one of OWU’s five academic centers and programs, and is operated with a financially self-sustaining model.

Responsibilities and duties:

Artistic Direction and Exhibitions

• Sets and curates the exhibition and programming schedule across the academic year with support from the Curator of Collections.
• Develops and maintains the vision for the Ross Museum Permanent Collection in conversation with the Curator of Collections.
• Provides management and hands on support for all exhibit installation/de-installation in conjunction with the museum’s Curator of Collections and part-time Preparator.

Campus and Community Engagement

• Develops and implements strategic initiatives that integrate with the OWU Connection, a foundational part of OWU’s academic program that ensures every OWU student will graduate with hands-on experience and a global perspective.
• Engages local and regional (Columbus and beyond) partners to ensure that exhibitions and programs respond to community needs.
• As permitted by schedule and funding, may teach a class such as a BFA seminar or a class in Arts Administration or Museum Studies.

Fundraising and Financial Management

• Provides financial oversight for the museum by developing, forecasting, and maintaining a yearly budget for the museum in conjunction with the University’s Accounting Office.
• Explores and pursues additional revenue sources for the museum, using an entrepreneurial mindset and thinks creatively about how museum and museum space can be utilized to meet untapped needs and demand.
• Coordinate with the University Advancement office to fundraise for the museum. This includes application for external grants, raising annual operating funds, and major gift fundraising.

Administration

• Recruitment and management of a 20-person Advisory Board, including two annual board meetings.
• Hires and oversees student workers and interns.
• Interfaces with University Administration, the Buildings and Grounds Office, and outside contractors to maintain the Museum’s historic building.

Factors contributing to success:

• M.A. degree or equivalent in art history, museum studies, curatorial studies or related field
• 1-3 years’ experience as director of similar museum or as assistant director of a larger facility;
• Ability to work well with stakeholders including donors, university administrators, faculty and board members
• Record of successful funding procurement and grant activity.

Complete application packets will include:

1. Cover Letter with salary requirements
2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae

What we offer:

Ohio Wesleyan University offers a rewarding place to work! To discover why this should be your next work home, visit our website. Learn more about our benefits at Discover our Benefits.

As an equal opportunity institution, OWU has a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. We do not discriminate on any basis including: race, religion, color, culture, national origin, sex and/or sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, economic barriers, or any other legally protected factor.

NOTE: OWU requires COVID-19 vaccination of all employees. Candidates who accept offers of employment must be able to provide proof of their vaccination status before their employment can be processed.

Ohio Wesleyan University