Director of Galleries & Collections

Texas A&M University System • Commerce, TX

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About The Position

East Texas A&M University invites applications for the position of Director of Galleries, a visionary arts professional who will guide the University’s exhibition and collections programs into a new era of artistic, educational, and community engagement. The Director of Galleries provides creative and administrative leadership for all University gallery operations, including exhibition planning, collections management, community outreach, and facilities oversight. Reporting to the Associate Dean of the College of Humanities, Social Sciences & Arts, the Director develops and implements strategies that elevate the visibility, quality, and impact of ETAMU’s galleries and art collections. This position serves as both the artistic lead and administrative manager for the University’s gallery system, facilitating student and professional art exhibitions and programs that enrich the cultural life of the campus and region. ETAMU is a fast-growing public university with a strong reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and student success. With over 140+ degree programs, a 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and nationally ranked online and graduate programs, ETAMU is committed to transforming lives through quality education. Our employees benefit from a collaborative community, cutting-edge research opportunities, and outstanding resources.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Art, Art History, Museum Studies, Arts Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in museum or gallery administration.
• Demonstrated knowledge in exhibition planning and collections care.
• Experience managing budgets, supervising staff, and collaborating across departments.
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to: Multi-task and work well as part of a team.
• Ability to work in a rapidly changing environment with shifting priorities.
• Ability to communicate with all levels of gallery visitors.
• Ability to work beyond normal office hours (evenings, nights, and weekends) as needed.
• Ability to move medium weight boxes or similar items.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of educational or direct museum or gallery experience, including curatorial and fundraising responsibilities.
• Experience with grant writing and donor cultivation.
• Familiarity with best practices in museum registration, art handling, and environmental management.
• Experience in university or academic museum settings.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision Develop and execute an annual exhibition plan aligned with ETAMU’s mission and art student educational outcomes. Establish partnerships with regional and national artists, museums, and cultural organizations. Represent the University in professional museum and arts associations.
• Exhibitions & Programming Oversee the planning, design, installation, and deinstallation of exhibitions. Curate art exhibitions both independently and in collaboration with Art Department Faculty. Collaborate with faculty to help supervise and guide undergraduate capstone exhibitions and graduate thesis exhibitions. Collaborate with faculty for short-term student exhibitions in our project space. Supervise student assistants and contractors involved in gallery operations. Develop interpretive materials, labels, and educational programming in collaboration with faculty and community partners.
• Collections Management Direct the care, documentation, conservation, and insurance of the University’s permanent art collections across the university campus. Manage incoming and outgoing loans, exhibition records, and condition reporting in compliance with professional standards. Coordinate storage, transportation, and environmental monitoring for collections and exhibitions.
• Facilities & Operations Oversee gallery spaces and related facilities, maintaining gallery walls, ensuring proper lighting, security, and climate control The Spaces include: The University Gallery, The President’s Gallery, The Wathena Temple project Space, and ETAMU Dallas Location. Manage budgets, inventories, and maintenance for exhibitions and collections.
• Development & Outreach Cultivate opportunities in partnership with University Advancement. Engage students, faculty, and the public through exhibitions, artist talks, and community events. Promote the University’s art programs through media, publications, and digital platforms.

Benefits

• Employee tuition assistance for master’s and doctoral programs.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• ETAMU contributes to employee health and basic life insurance premiums.
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays, plus up to eight hours of paid sick leave and vacation each month.
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), with optional additional retirement plans (ORP).
• Physical wellness program and wellness release time for eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director