Description
The Assistant Director of Exhibitions and Programs acts as a direct assistant to the Director of the David C. Driskell Center in all aspects of managing, planning and coordinating activities across its library, gallery and archives. The position will be regularly involved in most planning discussions and meetings and will be assigned tasks according to the Center's priorities. Tasks may include managing the center's schedule of exhibitions and other events, and coordinating related education programming and marketing for both on-campus and external audiences. It will also assist the Director in the development program, from investigating and writing grant applications to identifying and helping to develop donor relationships. The position provides full administrative and communications support at a senior level to the Director to ensure the smooth management of day-to-day affairs, handles sensitive and complex issues in a professional and objective manner, and manages online communications with members and the general public. The position must take initiative as appropriate, especially in the Director's absence.
Responsibilities:
- Exhibitions and Special Events: Assists in all aspects of the Center's exhibition programming, including loans of art to and from the Center, exhibition production, catalog production, and educational programming related to both traveling and originating exhibitions. Works with graphic and exhibition designers, printers, and curators in the development of all general and exhibition-related marketing. Assists in managing, planning, and coordinating the Center's special events, including scheduling and logistical preparation.
- Collections Management: Manages the Center's collections policies, including periodic review and updating of acquisition, accession, deaccession, and collections-care guidelines to ensure alignment with professional standards and the Center's mission. Provides oversight of acquisitions, coordinating the evaluation, review, and processing of proposed additions to the Center's holdings in collaboration with the Director, Registrar, and curatorial staff. Assists in managing the online store in cooperation with the Business Manager and Administrative Assistant.
- Communications and Publicity: Responsible for publicity of events and activities for the Center, including management of the Center's social media accounts and development of a quarterly email newsletter, in coordination with the College of Arts and Humanities.
- Grants and Development: In coordination with the Director and Business Manager, investigates grant sources and participates in developing, writing, and managing grant proposals.
- Facilities and Budget: Conducts periodic review and management of the physical spaces of the David C. Driskell Center, including internal offices, exhibition spaces, and art storage vaults, with the assistance of the Registrar and Preparator. Works alongside the Business Manager on budget matters directly related to exhibitions and core events, including associated purchasing and budgeting.
About The Driskell Center:
The David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland, College Park is dedicated to the study, preservation, and presentation of the visual arts and culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora. Named in honor of Distinguished University Professor Emeritus David C. Driskell (1931–2020), artist, scholar, and curator whose work fundamentally shaped the field of African American art history, the Center serves as a hub for scholarship, exhibitions, and public engagement.
The Center houses a growing permanent collection of works on paper, paintings, sculpture, and photography, along with extensive archival holdings documenting the careers of African American artists and the institutions that supported them. Through rotating exhibitions in its gallery, symposia and lectures, fellowship and internship programs, and collaborative research initiatives, the Center connects university audiences, K–12 students, scholars, and the broader public to this material.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Seven (7) years of professional experience managing business operations. Two (2) years of experience supervising or managing professional staff.
Additional Job Details
Physical Demands:
Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. Must have the ability to lift up to 10 pounds and carry parcels, packages and other items; to walk short distances; and travel to deliver and pick up materials.
Preferences:
- Master’s in Art History, Museum Studies, or related fields.
- Five (5) years of full-time experience working in a museum or art gallery.
- Some knowledge in the areas of artwork and items in the Center’s care.
- Knowledge of museum theory and practices, including collections management.
- Knowledge of collections management databases, cloud-based work management software (e.g., Trello, Asana), and Microsoft Suite.
- Demonstrated experience with the management of exhibitions and art education programs.
Required Application Materials:
Cover letter, resume, and three professional references
Best Consideration Date:
8/10/26
Background Checks
Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.
Employment Eligibility
The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.
EEO Statement
The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.
