MoCA CT is committed to celebrating diversity by amplifying the unique voices and experiences of all individuals. We strive for equity by dismantling systemic barriers and providing fair access to opportunities, while fostering inclusion through a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. By removing barriers to participation and making contemporary art accessible to all, we aim to inspire dialogue, understanding, and meaningful change in our community.

 MoCA provides a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace – one where all employees, board and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation or identity, religion, socioeconomic status, education or disability, feel valued and respected. We are committed to a non-discriminatory approach to provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement throughout our organization and programs.

Executive Director

The Museum of Contemporary Art Connecticut (MoCA CT) is a destination for innovative exhibitions of art from the mid-twentieth century to the present in all mediums, music and performing art experiences, and arts education for people of all ages and abilities.

MoCA CT seeks a transformational and charismatic leader to serve as its next Executive Director.

The role of the Executive Director at MoCA CT would be well-aligned with the unique aspects of both the institution and the Connecticut arts community. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ideal candidate will collaborate with the Visual Arts Advisory Committee and Chief Curator, as well as the Development, Performing Arts and Education departments, to chart a strategic path forward that prioritizes curatorial and operational excellence, a healthy revenue mix, and a marketing and communications strategy to raise the museum’s profile and increase attendance.

This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic, seasoned, well-networked, energetic leader in the museum or nonprofit arts field with exceptional administrative, managerial, communications, and fundraising skills. The Executive Director will articulate clear goals that provide innovative leadership, champion a positive staff culture, build financial resiliency, increase museum visibility and engagement, cultivate effective operations, and foster a welcoming culture.

Responsibilites

Here’s how the responsibilities could adapt and mesh with MoCA CT’s goals and environment:

1. Regional and National Artistic Vision: At MoCA CT, the Executive Director will blend the museum’s vision of highlighting contemporary visual art with regional and national sensibilities. This involves creating a programming strategy that resonates with Connecticut’s diverse communities while positioning the museum as a space for relevant conversations exploring the intersection of the visual arts with multidisciplinary themes and social issues to generate moments of creativity, discovery, and dialog. The organization seeks to balance exhibitions by regional and national artists, and from emerging to well-established artists. This hybrid approach allows MoCA CT to function as a cultural bridge for its various audiences.

2. Curatorial and Programmatic Relevance: The Executive Director will collaborate with the Chief Curator and guest curators to bring thought-provoking, boundary-pushing art to MoCA CT while catering to a diverse regional audience. This might include innovative exhibitions accompanied by educational programs that address local concerns, such as environmental art reflecting Connecticut’s natural landscape, or social justice themes that resonate with the state’s history/current issues. Regardless of the subject matter, the exhibitions will rotate between a focus on a singular artist or pairing of artists, a theme-based group show, or a private collection. The goal would be to make MoCA CT’s curatorial approach embrace a variety of formats and perspectives but always strive to be approachable, rigorous, and thought-provoking.

3. Community and Educational Engagement: MoCA CT’s Executive Director will prioritize creating meaningful connections within Connecticut’s communities by developing educational programs, workshops, events and partnerships with schools, universities, and community organizations. These offerings will be a logical outgrowth from the schedule of visual and performing arts. This unified/cohesive focus would help expand MoCA CT’s influence as a cultural hub, engaging existing members and a broad demographic and making contemporary art accessible to new audiences, including families, young professionals, and students.

4. Fundraising and Development in a Local Context: Connecticut’s art funding landscape includes private patrons, corporate sponsors, and community, state, and national grants. MoCA CT’s Executive Director will need to adeptly navigate these opportunities by building relationships with various stakeholders, including donors, businesses, civic organizations and fostering connections with broader arts foundations. The Director, in collaboration with the Chief Curator, will champion Connecticut artists and programs that highlight the region, helping to secure funding by emphasizing the museum’s impact on the state. The Executive Director will coordinate, oversee, and manage MoCA CT’s budget in collaboration with the departments of development and finance.

5. Innovative Use of Space and Facilities: The Executive Director will oversee the use of MoCA CT’s unique spaces to creatively maximize the visitor experience by offering inviting and interactive engagement with the visual and performing arts. The ideal candidate will play a leadership role in defining and realizing aspirational goals—for example, launching an artist-in-residency program and/or hosting art fairs or installations, events, or performances that utilize the museum’s (indoor and outdoor) footprint in new ways, making it a versatile venue that complements the character of Connecticut’s aesthetic vernacular and landscape.

6. Adapting to Connecticut’s Audience and Art Environment: As MoCA CT’s Executive Director, understanding Connecticut’s specific demographics and tailoring programs that appeal to its constituents is crucial. This might involve rotating exhibitions more frequently, creating special events that correspond with Connecticut’s calendar, like seasonal festivals, and expanding the museum’s digital and virtual presence to increase the audience, highlight more artists, and maintain engagement.

7. Advocacy for Art Policy and Accessibility: Within the organization and in collaboration with the Chief Curator, the Executive Director will oversee and mentor the professional development of its junior staff, and work towards strategically growing the organization by filling key positions. Within the community, the Executive Director will play a public-facing role and serve as an ambassador for the museum in Fairfield County, the state of Connecticut, and beyond. The Director also will work to improve art access across Connecticut. By advocating for policy changes and supporting art education funding within the state, the Director will position MoCA CT as an essential voice for arts in Connecticut and be a valuable collaborator to further art’s reach and significance.

Qualifications

Requirements include:

• At least seven years as a senior leader of an art museum, or other nonprofit arts organization, with a record of managing and motivating a team to achieve a shared vision; a reputation and network within the art world
• MA (PhD preferred) in art history or related field, business administration, and/or a combination of educational and professional experience
• An ability to build rapport with key stakeholders, including donors, artists, collectors, corporate sponsors, community leaders, and a desire to participate in cultural events in the local community and surrounding area
• Interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Experience in overseeing multiple budgets, writing grants, and fundraising
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, and to professional museum ethics

Compensation

Annual salary of $100,000+

To apply, please sent a letter of interest and resume to careers@mocact.org.

Chief Curator

MoCA CT is a destination for innovative exhibitions of art from the mid-twentieth century to the present in all mediums, music and performing arts experiences, and arts education programs for people of all ages and abilities. The museum traces its unbroken history to the Westport Arts Center, which was a cornerstone of the community for 50 years. Now housed in a beautifully renovated stone building at 19 Newtown Turnpike in Westport, MoCA CT has undergone significant expansion.

Our priorities include exploring the intersection of contemporary art with multidisciplinary themes and relevant social issues; increasing the diversity of artists and audiences; and making the experience of art accessible by fostering a welcoming culture. The museum attracts approximately 20,000 visitors annually. MoCA CT engages, educates, and inspires the local community as well as the regional, national, and international audience that we serve.

The Search

MoCA CT seeks a dynamic Chief Curator to shape the vision for the exhibition program at an exciting transformational moment in our history. The ideal candidate will have significant scholarship in the history of art, specialist knowledge of modern and contemporary art, and a network within the museum field, academia, and the art market. Experience required in developing and executing exhibitions, installations, interpretive materials, and publications.

Candidates will possess excellent communication skills, an ability to engage a diverse audience, and the desire to thoughtfully integrate ideas about artworks in all mediums into the larger framework of multidisciplinary themes and relevant social issues. Working closely with the Visual Arts Advisory Committee and Executive Director, the Chief Curator will collaborate with colleagues and be committed to equity, inclusion, and accessibility, as well as the strategic plan developed by the Board and staff. The Chief Curator will lead an innovative exhibition and programming schedule of the highest quality and play a public-facing role by fostering relationships with artists, collectors, donors, and other stakeholders, and serve as an ambassador for the museum in Fairfield County, the state of Connecticut, and beyond.

Essential Duties + Responsibilities

•  Conceptualize, develop, manage, and execute a broad range of engaging and innovative exhibitions on contemporary art and multidisciplinary curatorial programming
• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director and colleagues in Development and Finance, to manage the curatorial budget and identify grants, foundation, corporate, donor and other financial support
• Conduct and publish original scholarly yet accessible research on works in MoCA CT exhibitions and in the field, including interpretive labels, brochures, and catalogues
• With the Curatorial Associate, coordinate, oversee, and manage exhibition checklists, budget, insurance, transportation, installation design and production, interpretive materials, and publications
• With Directors of Design and Marketing, facilitate marketing and communications materials and play a pivotal role in shaping the museum’s image and enhancing digital and print visibility
• Serve as the museum’s primary liaison for exhibitions organized by guest curators; seek tour venues and external collaborations for exhibitions organized by MoCA CT
• Cultivate and steward artists, collectors, donors, members, community leaders, corporate sponsors, Connecticut arts organizations, and other key stakeholders
• Lecture and lead tours; make compelling professional presentations to large and small groups; conduct interviews with guests and the media; train docents
• Create and maintain professional relationships with artists, colleagues in the field, galleries, and museums; attend exhibitions, conferences, and symposia; effectively represent MoCA CT to potential donors and external organizations

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in art history or related field required; PhD preferred
• At least 5 years of curatorial experience working in a museum or comparable nonprofit arts organization
• Scholarly achievement in the field, including original research, exhibitions, publications; deep knowledge of art history, specialized knowledge of modern and contemporary art
• A reputation and network within the art world
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: ability to engage and build rapport with museum visitors and key stakeholders, including artists, collectors, donors, corporate sponsors, exhibition partners, community leaders, and the media
• Innovative thinker who prioritizes initiatives to resolve problems, achieve goals, and apply knowledge in new ways to improve the museum’s processes and offerings; self-motivated and organized; capable of multitasking and taking on additional responsibilities as needed in a small museum
• Willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as needed
• Reports to the Executive Director, collaboratives with staff and volunteers, and motivates and mentors a team to achieve goals
• Has knowledge of local and regional arts organizations or a willingness to learn• Working with the Executive Director, create a supportive, collaborative, and productive work environment in compliance with professional museum ethics codes including the American Alliance of Museums
• Commitment to values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access

Compensation

Annual salary of $70,000.

To apply, please sent a letter of interest and resume to careers@mocact.org.