WICHITA, KS.- The College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University is pleased to invite applications for the Director of the Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art, the region’s primary institution devoted to the art of our time. This is a full time, 12 month position; salary is commensurate with experience.

The Ulrich Museum is strongly committed to cutting-edge contemporary art, and emphasizes ethnic and gender diversity and new media in its acquisition and exhibition programs, providing opportunities for students and the wider public to interact directly with art and artists of national and international significance. The museum’s 5000+ collection that is housed in a 20,000 sq. ft. facility, focuses on 20th- and 21st-century art with a general emphasis on developments of the past two decades, and it includes a group of more than 60 monumental works installed across WSU’s 330-acre campus. The Ulrich Museum was recently accredited by the American Association of Museums.

The Director reports to the Dean of the College of Fine Arts and works closely with a campus/community advisory board, the WSU Foundation (which holds legal title to the collection), and an active and engaged friends’ group. S/he is the museum’s chief budget officer and is responsible for an annual budget of approximately $1 million, which includes substantial acquisition funds. The Director will be expected to raise a portion of the Museum’s annual operating budget. The Director supervises a full-time staff of seven museum professionals and oversees curatorial activities, exhibition planning, acquisition/de-accessions, staffing and publications. The successful candidate will be expected to work closely with and support the programs of the WSU School of Art and Design and other academic units and will have the option of teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in the area of her/his expertise. S/he will also collaborate with the WSU Foundation to cultivate relationships with potential donors and secure additional funding to enhance museum collections and exhibitions.

Qualifications for the position are:


1) M.A. in art history, museum practice or related field. (Doctoral degree from an accredited institution is preferred); 2) At least five years’ successful experience in a museum or equivalent setting; 3) Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of contemporary art and current trends; 4) Proven track record in fundraising and development; 5) Demonstrated experience supervising professional museum staff; 6) Demonstrated budgetary experience; 7) Successful experience with diverse populations; 8) Ability to work collaboratively with museum staff, university faculty and students; 9) Capable of interacting effectively with museum volunteers, potential donors and the wider community (other museums donors and the wider cultural/art institutions, artists, etc.) to promote the Ulrich Museum and its mission.

Wichita State University, with an enrollment of approximately 15,000 students, serves the 500,000 residents of the state’s largest metropolitan area and contributes substantially to the region’s rich and lively cultural life, as do the community’s two other art museums, numerous private galleries, and a supportive and growing community audience.

Candidates must apply on-line at https://www.hrepartners.com/jobs/PositionDetail.cfm?JobNum=8087&PartnerCode=WP&LeoFlag=N. Candidates must also submit a letter of application that clearly addresses the required qualifications, CV, names, addresses, email addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references to Chair, Director Search Committee, Ulrich Museum of Art, Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0046.

Initial screening for the position will begin August 1, 2006, and the position will remain open until filled. You may learn more about the Ulrich Museum and its programs at www.ulrich.wichita.edu.