Director and Curator of Public Engagement and Research

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Director and Curator of Public Engagement and Research

Job Profile Title

Director C, Arts and Media

Job Description Summary

About ICA and Penn: The Institute of Contemporary Art is a non-collecting, research-driven contemporary art museum at the University of Pennsylvania. ICA is dedicated to presenting new work by emerging and established artists and to advancing public engagement as a form of research, experimentation, and civic exchange. As part of Penn, ICA serves students, faculty, and the broader public through exhibitions, programs, and partnerships that connect contemporary art to pressing cultural and social questions.

The Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) at the University of Pennsylvania seeks a Director and Curator of Public Engagement and Research to lead the museum’s public-facing, educational, and research-driven work. Reporting to the Daniel Deitrich II, Director and serving as a key member of ICA’s senior leadership team, this role advances ICA’s artist-centered, non-collecting, and research-based mission through innovative public programs, artist-led interdisciplinary inquiries, community and campus partnerships, and pedagogical initiatives.

Grounded in the original meaning of “institute”—thus serving as a home for study and purpose—this position is central to ICA’s identity as a new generation institution: radically welcoming to audiences, recognized as a testing ground by and for artists, and committed to inquiry, dialogue, and civic engagement.

Job Description

Institutional Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strategic leadership for ICA’s public engagement and research initiatives in alignment with the museum’s mission, values, and long-term goals.
• Serve on ICA’s senior leadership team, contributing to institutional planning, sustainability, and organizational culture.
• Embed principles of inclusion, access, and justness across all areas of responsibility.

Public Engagement, Research, and Platforms

• Lead the development of research-informed public programs, artist-led projects, lectures, performances, symposia, and publications to extend, expand, and conceive of ICA’s exhibitions and commissioned projects.
• Advance experimental pedagogical approaches, including co-production and collaborative knowledge-making with artists, scholars, students, and diverse communities.
• Oversee the conceptual development and production of interpretive and scholarly publications in collaboration with colleagues in Curatorial and Communications.

Community Engagement & Civic Impact

• Guide ICA’s community engagement as a long-term, relationship-based practice rooted in reciprocity, accountability, and sustained partnership.
• Cultivate meaningful relationships with artists, community organizations, educators, and civic partners throughout Philadelphia, nationally, and internationally, with particular attention to historically under-served communities.
• Integrate community engagement across exhibitions, public programs, publications, and pedagogy rather than isolating it as a standalone activity.
• Articulate the public value and impact of engagement initiatives to funders, partners, and stakeholders, supporting ICA’s funding, visibility, and longevity.

Academic & University Engagement

• Strengthen ICA’s role as a research and pedagogical resource for the University of Pennsylvania, as well as other local, national, and global learners.
• Coordinate student-facing initiatives, including undergraduate and graduate collaborations, class visits, and guest lectureships.
• Develop strategies to engage members of Penn’s schools, centers, and research communities while expanding access for broader public audiences.

Team & Operational Leadership

• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams across public engagement, education, research, publications, archives, and visitor experience.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and intellectually rigorous working environment.
• Oversee program planning, budgets, workflows, and assessment to ensure operational excellence and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s and 7 to 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• 10+ years of relevant professional experience, including senior-level leadership in public engagement, education, research, or curatorial practice within contemporary art or cultural institutions is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading research-based programs, publications, or public scholarship.
• Strong record of cross-departmental and cross-institutional collaboration and team leadership.
• Deep knowledge of contemporary art, critical pedagogy, and public humanities.
• Demonstrated commitment to socially responsive institutional practice.

Preferred Competencies

• Strategic and organizational leadership
• Community partnership development
• Experimental pedagogy and collaborative practice
• Integration of archival materials and familiarity with a range of publication and distribution platforms
• Commitment to ethical and accessible institutional design
• Clear, compelling communication with diverse stakeholders

Application Requirement 

• A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.  

Please note we are accepting applications for this role through March 27, 2026.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Institute of Contemporary Art

Pay Range

$93,500.00 - $120,000.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

• Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.

• Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.

• Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

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To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay