Gallery Director

Crawl Space artist-run gallery is seeking a part-time Director (20-25 hrs/week) to take on the responsibilities of steering the non-profit’s administration and curatorial programs. The ideal candidate will have both a discerning taste for contemporary artwork and the drive to develop a young but thriving organization with an alternative business model.

Crawl Space’s exhibitions, residencies, and artist talks are programmed specifically for the needs of early-career artists and ensure continued cultural vibrancy in Seattle, providing local talent with a reason to stay in our region and attracting artists from across the country. Through cooperative programming, artists learn to lead and work together on both the business and creative aspects of running a gallery.

Because of the innovative and discerning direction of Crawl Space’s current director and member artists, the gallery has quickly become recognized locally and nationally as an influential art center, valuable to artists, commercial dealers, and the art community alike. Crawl Space is in a unique position as it is becoming highly visible and highly fundable, and new direction is sought to increase the gallery’s capacity to influence the region.

Responsibilities

Crawl Space member artists collaborate to create and maintain a unique curatorial vision within the region and are ultimately responsible for curatorial decisions.

The Director’s curatorial role is to facilitate and participate in the programmatic process of the group, including:
- Coordinating monthly exhibitions by artists from across the nation
- Implementing special programs, such as the Studio Intensive Residency and annual Centennial juried exhibition
- Facilitating the review and selection of proposals from guest artists and curators
- Coordinating studio visits between artist members
- Preparing the gallery space between installations

The Director is directly responsible for coordinating and managing the completion of a range of administrative tasks, including:
- Developing a consistent funding cycle through public grants and private donor cultivation
- Securing and transitioning to a new gallery space
- Representing Crawl Space at public events, interviews and lectures and in all press materials
- Coordinating website administration and updates
- Receiving and responding to all email, phone, and written correspondence
- Delegating tasks and coordinating the efforts of member artists, volunteers, and interns
- Maintaining fiscal records and budgeting under the advice of Crawl Space’s fiscal sponsor The Shunpike

Required Skills and Qualities

- Degree in Art, Art History, Museology or related field
- Two years work experience managing and coordinating others for project completion
- General knowledge of contemporary art and ability to engage in basic art criticism, in spoken and written forms
- Ability to communicate with a diverse community that includes working artists, the media, community leaders and private donors
- Self-driven ability to coordinate multiple events under deadlines
- Acute attention to detail in writing and presentation
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop

Development and Compensation

Currently the position is unpaid. Directorship promises enormous creative and professional benefit. The Director will have a critical role in the future of the gallery as he or she oversees increased funding for his or her own position, additional staff, a new space, and new programming to build the influence of innovative work by early-career artists. While the position of Director is currently unpaid, future compensation is pending the receipt of public and private grants and remains an immediate organizational priority.

To Apply

The hiring process begins immediately and will remain open until the position is filled. Initial applications should include a letter of interest and resume only; further materials may be requested from those applicants selected for interview.

Applications should be mailed to:

Crawl Space
Director
504 E Denny Way #1
Seattle, WA 98122

Deadline: August, 30, 2008
Organization: Crawl Space
504 E Denny Way #1
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: (206) 322-5752
Email: info@crawlspacegallery.com
Website: www.crawlspacegallery.com