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Title: Exhibitions and Digital Media Specialist
Department: University Galleries
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Exhibitions and Digital Media Specialist serves multiple functions at University Galleries and teaches within the School of Creative Technologies. This position assists the Director and Chief Curator in organizing, installing, publicizing, maintaining, archiving, and providing programming for exhibitions and collections. The Exhibitions and Digital Media Specialist curates exhibitions of artworks from the permanent collection and creates related public programming opportunities. This position writes press releases; updates the gallery’s website and other online accounts; documents exhibitions; organizes and updates image archives; and serves a key role in visitor engagement. They also assist the School of Creative Technologies with digital documentation and publicity. This position researches and implements emerging technologies for exhibitions and assists with accessibility of materials. The Exhibitions and Digital Media Specialist functions as the Preparator and works closely with the Director, Registrar, and student workers to install and maintain exhibitions. They also maintain and update the exhibition supplies and tools; supervise the technology inventory; and supervise or assist with all aspects of exhibition installation. This position helps maintain the permanent collection, trains gallery interns and graduate assistants, acts as a liaison to faculty and students for their exhibitions, and engages in various other administrative and educational duties.

Additional Information

University Galleries’ mission is to foster a greater understanding of contemporary art in our university and community, while providing support for artists at pivotal points in their careers.

Our exhibitions feature both emerging and established artists, often those whose work has not been previously presented in a comprehensive manner. We have organized the first U.S. surveys for artists including: Jen Bervin, Bethany Collins, Carrie Schneider, Walter Robinson, David Wojnarowicz, Martin Wong, Juan Angel Chávez, Nadia Hotait, Jason Lazarus, Michelle Grabner, Allan Sekula, and Tony Tasset. We have organized large-scale exhibitions for Terry Adkins, Aram Han Sifuentes, Basim Magdy, T.J. Dedeaux-Norris, Alice Hargrave, Oliver Herring, Dianna Frid, and Keith Haring, among many others. We also provide exhibition opportunities for Illinois State University students and faculty.

Through a partnership between Illinois State University and the Town of Normal, University Galleries is located in Uptown Normal. This increased visibility and accessibility has allowed us to greatly expand our programming not only for university partners, but also for K-12 schools, non-profit organizations, and community members. Since 2021, University Galleries has been a three-time recipient of the Center for Civic Engagement’s Unit Award.

The School of Creative Technologies combines interdisciplinary arts innovation and integrated technology. Academic paths include Game Design, Interdisciplinary Technologies, and Audio and Music Production.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$44,000 - $48,000 per year

University Benefit Highlights

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life 
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options 
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents 
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks 
- Paid benefit time 
 
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/ 

Required Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in Creative Technologies, Art History, Curatorial Studies, Studio Art, or a related field.
2. Two years' experience working in an art gallery or museum.
3. Strong knowledge of contemporary art and general knowledge of art history.
4. Experience with digital asset creation and manipulation.
5. Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
6. Ability to catalogue and handle works of art, including storage and packing.
7. Ability to design and supervise exhibition installations.
8. Strong interpersonal skills.
9. Extemporaneous speaking skills needed to conduct tours of exhibitions and interact with an all-ages audience.
10. Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, and Mac computers.
11. Strong skills in professional writing.
12. Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Demonstrated digital design skills.
2. Proficiency with digital photography.
3. Two years’ experience teaching in a K-12, higher education, and/or community education setting.
4. Experience setting up and operating exhibition-related technology including computers, projectors, monitors, media players, and speakers.
5. Experience with emerging technologies, including augmented and virtual reality.
6. Grant-writing experience.

Work Hours

Typical work hours (include evenings/weekends) Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm with 30 minute lunch; some nights and weekends for events as business needs dictate.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Ability to effectively communicate on a daily basis
2. Ability to lift or move up to 40 pounds in order to move art, move walls to facilitate art installation, set up office equipment, and move boxes containing books and workshop supplies.
3. Ability to operate a vehicle in order to pick up and deliver artwork and supplies.
4. Ability to conduct or attend meetings in various locations on and off campus.
5. Ability to maneuver around facility to check for proper conditions and placements.
6. Ability to use a variety of ladders and a motorized lift.

Proposed Starting Date

July or August, 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Cover letter
Resumé
Three professional references
Writing sample (three pages or less).

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Digital portfolio or professional website.

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Contact Information for Applicants

Kendra Paitz
kkjohn4@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.