Director and Chief Curator, Kemper Art Museum

The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) seeks a Director and Chief Curator to shape the next chapter of the Kemper Art Museum (Kemper).

The Kemper Art Museum is one of the nation’s leading academic museums, a cultural landmark, and a hub for scholarly and creative engagement situated amongst the innovative research and creative practices of the Sam Fox School, the academic excellence of Washington University, and the vibrant arts ecosystem of St. Louis. The Kemper’s world-class collection of more than 8,700 artworks has especially strong holdings of 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-century European and American art and a growing collection of global art. The next Director and Chief Curator will build on two decades of institutional growth under Dr. Sabine Eckmann and work with newly appointed Sam Fox School Dean Charlie White to develop a compelling vision for the museum’s future, advancing its artistic and intellectual identity, developing its collection and exhibition program, deepening its relationships across WashU and St. Louis, as well as enhancing the Kemper’s national prestige and international value. The Director and Chief Curator is supported in this work by a dedicated staff of 23 employees and an annual budget of $6.2 million.

Reporting to the Dean of the Sam Fox School and partnering with a leadership team deeply committed to the Kemper, the Director and Chief Curator will provide conceptual and administrative leadership for the museum and will be responsible for all aspects of the museum’s operation. The Director and Chief Curator will unite and develop a talented staff, build philanthropic and patron support, and represent the museum with integrity, sound judgment, and a strong external voice. Grounded in the Kemper’s collection, the Director and Chief Curator will advance thoughtful stewardship and strategic growth of the Kemper’s holdings, strengthening their use for teaching, research, and public engagement. The Director and Chief Curator will deepen interdisciplinary and community partnerships, increase the museum’s visibility and accessibility, and reinforce the Kemper’s role as both a vital university and civic resource.

Washington University and the Sam Fox School have retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in the recruitment of the next Director and Chief Curator. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent below.

Ben Tobin is leading this search with Nella Young, Kate Gladstone, and Alaine Small.

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.