Director, Chazen Museum of Art

The Chazen Museum of Art opened in 1970 as the Elvehjem Art Center to further the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s mission of education, research, and public service. In 1978 it became the Elvehjem Museum of Art, and in 2005, in honor of a lead gift for expansion from alumni Simona and Jerome Chazen, was renamed the Chazen Museum of Art. The expansion opened in October 2011, doubling the size of the museum to a total of 176,000 square feet. The new building is joined to the original Elvehjem building by a dramatic and functional bridge gallery.

The Chazen is home to the second-largest collection of art in Wisconsin: more than 20,000 works cover diverse historical periods, cultures, and geographic locations, from ancient Greece, Western Europe, and the Soviet Empire, to Moghul India, eighteenth-century Japan, and modern Africa. The collection continues to grow thanks to artwork donations and purchases. The collection is funded entirely by private money. The museum also presents temporary exhibitions, broadening the offerings to visitors and as a state educational resource, the Chazen offers a rich array of public programs. The museum has just been re-accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

 

The Chazen Museum of Art operates with a budget of approximately $3.7 to 4 million exclusive of art acquisition and capital expenses; a full time staff of 17; a part time staff of 27; and a 25 member national Council. Annual visitation is approximately 110,000. The director reports to the Provost of the university.

 

To learn more about the Chazen Museum of Art please visit their web site:
https://www.chazen.wisc.eduTo learn about the University of Wisconsin – Madison please visit their web site: http://www.wisc.edu/about.

 

This is an exciting opportunity. The new director will shape the future direction of the museum and will be the guiding force in its philosophy, strategic planning, programming, and management. The director is expected to generate new initiatives, and to infuse the Chazen with vision, energy, and excitement. To build audiences and awareness, the director will assure an innovative, accessible museum, connected to, and engaged with the UW-Madison community and external constituencies, and in support of the university’s commitment to the strongest academic experience for its students, will collaborate with faculty in the art and art history departments and other departments across the university to serve the curricular needs of UW-Madison students. 

Creativity is required in order to foster innovative exhibitions, accompanying publications, fundraising initiatives, and outreach.  Original thinking and clarity of expression are essential as is an appreciation for and a significant knowledge of visual art with an understanding of most periods and cultures of art history. At least five years of senior administrative experience within an art museum and/or related organization as well as an understanding of and competency in academic scholarship are critical as is the ability to work with individuals and diverse constituent groups to resolve differences and develop constructive consensus. An advanced degree in art or art history or another appropriate academic discipline is preferred.

 

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION:

Interested candidates should visit the job listing at http://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/cw/en-us/job/494629/director-chazen-museum-of-art and follow the application instructions after clicking the “Apply Now” button. Applicants will be asked to upload a resume and cover letter outlining relevant qualifications and experience. A PDF is preferred but not required. To ensure consideration, applications need to be received by April 26, 2017.

The full position description is available for your review through: http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/weblisting/External/PVLSummaryPrint.aspx?pvl_num=89972.