Organizer Information
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States and a state-supported, privately endowed educational institution. Located in Richmond, Virginia, VMFA maintains an encyclopedic collection of more than 50,000 artworks spanning over 6,000 years of global art history. Its holdings include major strengths in American art, French Impressionism, African art, South Asian and Himalayan art, as well as one of the most significant photography collections in the United States.
The museum is notable for being open 365 days a year with free general admission, positioning it as both a cultural and civic institution. Its mission focuses on collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting art while expanding public engagement with visual culture. The Photography Department, established in 2021, is a rapidly developing division within VMFA with a strong emphasis on 20th-century and contemporary photography, documentary practices, and civil rights imagery. The department is also expanding its research infrastructure through the Raysor Center for Works on Paper and new gallery spaces scheduled to open in 2027.
Title & Description
Assistant Curator of Photography (Full-Time Faculty Position)
This opportunity is a full-time curatorial position within VMFA’s Photography Department. The Assistant Curator of Photography will support the development, research, interpretation, and exhibition of the museum’s photography collection. The role is designed for an emerging-to-mid-level curator with strong academic grounding in photographic history and practical museum experience.
The position is embedded in a dynamic institutional moment: VMFA is actively expanding its photography infrastructure, including new dedicated galleries and a state-of-the-art research and conservation facility. The role contributes directly to shaping the museum’s future photographic identity through acquisitions, exhibitions, publications, and public engagement.
The Assistant Curator will work closely with the Aaron Siskind Curator of Photography and Director of the Raysor Center, contributing to both scholarly and operational aspects of the department’s work, including international exhibitions and donor relations.
The Role Overview
- Employment Type: Faculty (Salaried, Exempt from Virginia Personnel Act)
- Annual Salary Range: USD $60,000 (Hiring Range)
- Department: Curatorial – Photography
- Reporting To: Aaron Siskind Curator of Photography / Director of the Raysor Centre
- Institution: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- Work Model: On-site with occasional telework eligibility (case-by-case, subject to institutional policy)
- Travel Requirement: National and international travel required
This is a professional curatorial appointment combining research, exhibition-making, collections management, donor engagement, and institutional representation.
Position & Tasks
- Developing and implementing photography exhibitions (collection-based and loan-based)
- Supporting large-scale travelling exhibitions and international collaborations
- Conducting research on artworks for cataloguing updates and acquisitions
- Preparing acquisition proposals and supporting collection growth strategies
- Writing and contributing to scholarly publications, catalogues, and online content
- Assisting with collection management tasks, including cataloguing and documentation
- Supporting donor, artist, and gallery communications
- Participating in curatorial programming such as talks, tours, and public engagement activities
- Representing VMFA at conferences, symposia, gallery openings, and art fairs
- Managing or mentoring interns when required
- Supporting the operational workflow of the Photography Department
Categories
- Photography
- Visual Art / Contemporary Art
- Curatorial Practice
- Art History
- Museum Studies
- Exhibition Design & Research
Eligibility
Applicants are expected to meet the following criteria:
- Master’s degree in Art History, preferably with a focus on photography (or equivalent professional experience)
- Strong knowledge of photographic history, technologies, and processes
- Curatorial experience in a museum or equivalent cultural institution
- Experience organizing or contributing to photography exhibitions
- Evidence of research output (publications, presentations, catalogues)
- Experience with collection management systems (preferably The Museum System)
- Ability to handle and catalogue photographic works
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities
- International applicants may apply (no explicit nationality restriction stated)
Program Benefits
- Competitive annual salary ($60,000 starting range)
- Full public-sector benefits package including:
- Health insurance and wellness programs
- Paid leave and 12 state holidays
- Retirement and deferred compensation plans
- Disability and life insurance options
- Institutional perks such as exhibition access, discounts on museum services, programs, and memberships
- Professional exposure through international exhibitions and institutional collaborations
- Opportunity to contribute to a major expanding photography program and new gallery infrastructure opening in 2027
- High-level professional networking across global museum and photography sectors
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Online application via the official portal
- Updated CV/resume
- Cover letter (recommended or required depending on portal instructions)
- Three professional references (name, email, phone number)
- Supporting documentation demonstrating qualifications (if requested)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 May 2026
Location
Richmond, Virginia, United States
Additional Details
- This is a faculty-level curatorial appointment, not a temporary residency or fellowship
- Requires both scholarly output and administrative curatorial labor
- Strong emphasis on international engagement and institutional representation
- Position includes travel to art fairs, conferences, and donor cultivation events
- Background check and work authorization verification (E-Verify) required upon hiring
- VMFA emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusive hiring practices
- The role is strategically aligned with VMFA’s expansion of its photography department and new infrastructure investments