Associate Curator

As the organization continues to grow and expand its impact, PHA is seeking an Associate Curator with a strong working knowledge of contemporary art to help build a new exhibition program. Reporting to the Vice President of Curatorial and Arts Programs, the Associate Curator will support and lead curatorial and programmatic efforts at PHA, with a primary focus on managing the Artists-in-Residence (AiR) program and the Artist Subsidy Program (ASP). In addition, this role will coordinate all aspects of exhibitions; conceive, propose, and realize exhibitions and exhibition-related public programs; conduct curatorial research; as needed, undertake project and exhibition management of existing exhibitions (and other projects, which may include fairs), and organize the annual AiR exhibition. The Associate Curator will report to the Vice President of Curatorial and Arts Programs and collaborate across PHA’s departments (fabrication, public art production, visitor services, learning & engagement, operations, marketing, finance & legal, leadership, etc.) to realize a vibrant and inclusive curatorial program.
We seek team members who love artists, creativity, making things, building things, learning, and stewarding environments that nurture creative practice.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

AiR & Artist Subsidy Program Management

• Oversee the daily administration and long-term development of the AiR program and Artist Subsidy Program.
• Manage all aspects of the annual AiR cycle: selection process, communications with artists, coordination of residency logistics (studio/fabrication access, materials, scheduling, documentation), support during the residency period, and evaluation after the residency period concludes.
• Plan, coordinate, and produce the annual AiR exhibition — including selection of works, exhibition design, installation logistics, coordination with fabrication/installation teams, wall texts and didactics, and opening/closing events.
• Help shape the future of the AiR exhibition and other culminating programs.
• Monitor program budgets, administer contracts with artists, stipend disbursements/subsidies, and maintain timely, accurate records.
• Build and maintain relationships with participating artists, alumni, community partners, fabricators, and relevant stakeholders.
• Create a responsive program for AiR and ASP cohorts that deepens opportunities for artists’ learning and growth.
• Create opportunities for collaboration with like-minded national and international residency programs.\

Curatorial & Exhibition Work

• Research, collaborate, and support all PHA exhibitions and other projects (which may include other presentation formats, such as fairs).
• Research and conceive, propose, and execute exhibitions or curatorial projects as agreed with the Vice President of Curatorial and Arts Programs.
• Manage all exhibition logistics: scheduling, budgeting, the negotiation and administration of loans, installation planning and coordination (with fabrication, installation, live production, operations, and facilities teams), insurance/shipping, signage, didactic and interpretive content, and exhibition close-out.
• Write curatorial texts: wall labels, didactics, catalogue or booklet essays (if relevant), web copy, and other communication materials.
• Collaborate with other departments (Public Art, Fabrication, Operations, Live Production, Learning & Engagement, Marketing, Visitor Services, Development, Finance & Legal) to coordinate installation, public programming, marketing, documentation, and outreach.

Public Programs & Community Engagement

• Develop and organize exhibition-related public programs — artist talks, panel discussions, workshops, community events, open studios, studio visits — in coordination with PHA’s public-facing teams.
• Work with Learning & Engagement, Visitor Services, and other relevant departments to ensure programs are integrated throughout PHA’s offerings and are inclusive, accessible, and aligned with PHA’s values.
• Represent PHA publicly: maintain relationships with artists, galleries, funders, cultural institutions, community groups; attend studio visits, art fairs, conferences, or relevant events.

Administration, Planning & Collaboration

• Participate in curatorial and institutional planning alongside the Vice President of Curatorial and Arts Programs.
• Contribute to long-term vision and planning for PHA’s residency and curatorial programs.
• Oversee budgets for AiR, ASP, exhibitions, and associated programming; track expenses, coordinate with finance and operations.
• Maintain accurate documentation of exhibitions, residency cycles, and artist files; ensure records of works, installations, contracts/subsidies, and other relevant materials are up to date.
• Collaborate with fabrication, technical, installation, and operations teams to coordinate build processes when exhibitions or artworks require fabrication or specialized installation.
• Support grant writing or funding proposals for residency and curatorial initiatives, in collaboration with the Development team.

Flexibility & Institutional Support

• Be ready to engage across departments when needed; support additional curatorial or programmatic tasks as assigned by leadership.
• As needed, to support ideation and/or the project management of the delivery of fairs, led by external expert consultants.
• Embody and promote PHA’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and community-centered creative practice.

Powerhouse Arts is a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are from a marginalized or underrepresented group. The requirements listed are guidelines; you don't have to satisfy every requirement or meet every qualification listed. If 80% of what you read fits you, or if you have skills that are transferable, please apply.

Qualifications:

• 3–7 years of curatorial, program-management, or residency-program experience in an arts nonprofit, gallery, museum, or artist-centered institution; prior experience managing artist residencies or subsidy/stipend programs is strongly preferred.
• Critical and collaborative thinker with a deep knowledge of contemporary art, especially practices that engage with the social and political conditions of the day.
• Demonstrated experience and track record in conceiving and organizing exhibitions, including research, writing, logistics, installation coordination, and public programming.
• Strong project management skills — ability to manage multiple concurrent projects (residencies, exhibitions, programs) on overlapping timelines, with attention to detail and follow-through.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience writing accessible and clear curatorial texts (wall texts, didactics), artists communications, grant proposals or reports, public-facing copy.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments and with a range of stakeholders (artists, fabricators, staff, community members, funders).
• Commitment to fairness, inclusion, and community-centered artistic practice; capacity to work with diverse artists and audiences.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and problem-solving orientation — comfortable navigating shifting priorities and evolving institutional needs. This position will support building an exhibition  program from the ground up and must thrive in an emergent environment.
• Cultural competency, knowledge of community engagement, socially engaged art practice and politically oriented art, and interest in supporting emerging, underrepresented, or nontraditional artists.
• Proficiency with common office and project-management software (e.g. Google Workspace, Asana or similar, spreadsheets, document management), and willingness to work collaboratively with technical/fabrication teams.

To Apply:
Please submit your resume and cover letter, and one writing sample. The writing sample can be a published essay, an exhibition didactic or proposal, or a description of an artist residency or relevant initiative that demonstrates your curatorial interests. 

Compensation & Benefits: Salary range is $80,000-$90,000 and commensurate with experiences. Benefits include health insurance, an employer-sponsored retirement plan, generous paid vacation, and a Citi Bike membership.