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Art Museum Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CSULB

$95 - $143/hr

Director, Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum Job no: 561767 Work type: Management (MPP) Location: Long Beach Categories: MPP, At-Will, Full Time Join the vibrant community at California State ...

Posted today

Brown County

Museum Director

Green Bay, WI · On-site

$95K/yr

... of art, history, and science from or used in Northeast Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of ... Collaborates with the Neville Public Museum Foundation Board and its Executive Director to ...

Brown County, WI

Museum Director

Green Bay, WI · On-site

$95K/yr

... of art, history, and science from or used in Northeast Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of ... Collaborates with the Neville Public Museum Foundation Board and its Executive Director to ...

New York University

Director Grey Art Museum

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Position Summary New York University (NYU) is seeking an imaginative and collaborative leader to serve as the next Director of the Grey Art Museum (the Grey or the Museum). This is an opportunity to ...

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The California State University

$89 - $133/hr

Director, Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum Job no: 561767 Work type: Management (MPP) Location: Long Beach Categories: MPP, At-Will, Full Time Located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB ...

Posted today

Artinfoland

$70 - $120/hr

It is the 20th-largest art museum in the United States and organizes its holdings across seven ... The position works closely with the Director, Chief Curator, and other Museum departments, and is ...

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Art Museum Director information

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$44.5K

$121.8K

$146.5K

How much do art museum director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for art museum director in the United States is $121,757.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $121,000.00 and $127,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an art museum director do?

An Art Museum Director is responsible for overseeing the overall operations of an art museum, including managing staff, budgets, exhibitions, and educational programs. They play a key role in shaping the museum's vision, acquiring new artworks, and ensuring that the institution fulfills its mission to the public. Directors often represent the museum in the community, work with donors and stakeholders, and guide curatorial decisions to enhance the museum’s reputation and impact.

What are some common challenges faced by art museum directors in balancing curatorial vision with operational responsibilities?

Art Museum Directors often face the challenge of balancing their curatorial vision with the practical demands of managing a museum. While they may want to focus on innovative exhibitions and expanding collections, they must also oversee budgets, fundraising, staffing, and community engagement. Successful directors work closely with curators, educators, and administrative teams to align artistic goals with financial sustainability and public interest. This requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an art museum director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Art Museum Director, you typically need a background in art history or museum studies, significant management experience, and a strong understanding of curatorial practices. Familiarity with collection management systems, budgeting software, and fundraising platforms is vital, as is knowledge of accreditation standards. Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills help in engaging stakeholders, managing teams, and fostering community partnerships. These skills ensure the museum's cultural impact, financial sustainability, and effective stewardship of its collections.

What is the difference between Art Museum Director vs Curator?

AspectArt Museum DirectorCurator
Primary RoleOversees entire museum operations, strategic planning, and leadershipDevelops and manages exhibitions, collections, and research
Required CredentialsTypically requires a master's or doctorate in art history or related field, plus leadership experienceRequires a master's or doctorate in art history or related field, with specialized curatorial expertise
Work EnvironmentAdministrative offices, board meetings, public eventsGalleries, storage, research areas, and exhibition spaces
Employer & Industry UsageFound in museums, cultural institutions, and arts organizationsPrimarily employed within museums and galleries for exhibition and collection management

The main difference is that the Art Museum Director oversees the entire institution, including administration and strategy, while the Curator focuses on developing exhibitions and managing collections. Both roles require advanced education in art history and experience in the field, but their responsibilities and focus areas differ significantly.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Art Museum jobs?

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Art Museum Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Art Museum Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,757 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Rahr-West Museum Art Instructor- Part-Time

City of Manitowoc, WI

Manitowoc, WI • On-site

$20.61 - $23.55/hr

Part-time

Posted 4 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Teaches art education classes at the museum and community locations.

  • Assists in coordinating education-related special events and programs for the museum.

  • Creates marketing graphics, uses social media to promote educational programming, and develops educational experiences.

Job description

Salary: $20.61 - $23.55 Hourly
Location : 610 North 8th Street, Manitowoc (RWAM), WI
Job Type: Part-time
Job Number: 2026.00055
Department: Rahr-West Art Museum
Division: Rahr-West
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Thank you for considering the City of Manitowoc in your career search! It's a great City to live in and to work in! Watch this video to learn more.
The City of Manitowoc is an equal opportunity employer, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
The City of Manitowoc ONLY accepts online applications via the link below for current openings.
* We do not accept paper applications or emailed resumes.
Summary of Job
This position develops and coordinates educational functions at Rahr-West Art Museum. The Art Instructor is responsible for building a strong connection between the Museum's collections and exhibitions and our community through a variety of programs, classes, and special events. The Art Instructor will work closely with the museum director to create schedules and marketing strategies for educational programming consistent with the museum mission. The Art Instructor will also assist in planning and execution of fundraising activities specific to the Rahr-West Art Museum's educational programming. Flexible hours from 15-18 per week.
Responsibilities
  • Teaches art education classes at museum and at various locations throughout the community.
  • Conducts special art education programming for private groups as needed.
  • Assists in coordinating education-related special events and special programs for museum.
  • Creates marketing graphics and advertising for museum education and general museum programming
  • Uses museum's social media to promote, highlight, and celebrate educational programming
  • Develop, implement and manage a wide range of both in person and digital educational experiences for all ages
  • Keeps informed of current museum educational methodologies, theories and techniques.
  • Maintains the supplies, class materials, and printed materials needed for implementation of programs, including organization of art education spaces.
  • Must be dependable and adaptable in effective communication and performance with diverse guests.
  • Weekend availability is required.

Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in art, art education, museum education, museum studies, or a related discipline
Experience: Teaching experience is required. Intermediate or mid-level experience working in a museum educational capacity or non-museum educational setting is preferred. Museum or gallery teaching experience is a quality ranking factor.
Certifications/Licenses: None
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
  • Experience teaching general studio art education in a classroom setting required
  • Proven organizational, time-management, and interpersonal skills
  • Passion for diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion
  • Experience in teaching a diverse audience, including those of all ages, backgrounds, and knowledge levels of art
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications required
  • Proficiency with graphic design software preferred
  • Knowledge in art history, and of art materials, processes, and techniques
  • Proficiency in at least one additional art media types, including but not limited to:
  1. Ceramic Arts and Clay
  2. Textile Arts
  3. Glasswork
  4. Digital Arts including use of apple iPad, iPhone or like devices
  5. Metalwork
  6. Digital Video production
  • Professional and effective communication and presentation skills required.
  • Flexibility in scheduling

The City anticipates filling these positions pending Committee approval and funding.
THE CITY OF MANITOWOC PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT E-VERIFY, PLEASE VISIT http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify
The City of Manitowoc is a qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness organization.
No Benefits Eligibility
01
Bachelor's Degree in art, art education, museum education, museum studies, or a related discipline is required. What field is your Bachelor's degree in?
02
Teaching experience is required. Intermediate or mid-level experience working in a museum educational capacity or non-museum educational setting is preferred. Museum or gallery teaching experience is a quality ranking factor. Do you have any of the above listed experience?
Required Question

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