Martin Friedman Chief Curator

Madison Square Park Conservancy, New York Reports to Executive Director

Overview of Organization

Madison Square Park Conservancy (MSPC) is the nonproﬁt entrusted by the City of New York to operate Madison Square Park, a 6.2-acre public space in the heart of Manhattan. Our mission is to conserve, maintain, and program this ever-evolving, historic green space, including raising 100% of the park’s operating budget. Our dedicated team takes great pride in caring for and shaping an urban oasis for all to enjoy. Since 2004, MSPC has commissioned 50 projects by visionary artists, ranging in practice and media, for temporary exhibition in the park through its public art program.

Anchoring a diverse and vibrant live-work community, Madison Square Park is both an intimate neighborhood park and an international destination for 60,000 daily visitors. A public space since 1686, the park has long been a gathering place for people from all walks of life. Today, it is also a public garden, urban forest, wildlife habitat, public art exhibition space, a haven for children and pets to play, and one of New York City’s most transcendent and welcoming places.

Overview of Position

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Martin Friedman Chief Curator is responsible for setting the vision and direction and managing all aspects of MSPC’s curatorially-driven public art program. MSPC seeks a curious, engaged and dynamic leader who is equally comfortable serving as the public face of the art program; fundraising and managing budgets; collaborating with a broad range of team members and stakeholders; and conducting research and writing interpretive materials. The Chief Curator will be expected to continue and build upon the strong international reputation of MSPC’s public art program by fostering innovation and diversity. Discussions are underway with artists for commissions through 2027.

The Chief Curator manages the Curatorial Manager, works in tandem with the Director of Art Operations, and collaborates closely with the Executive Director, Director of Development and External Affairs, Director of Park Operations and other MSPC team members.

Key Responsibilities The Chief Curator will:

oversee the program’s annual commissions, including researching and selecting contemporary artists; developing, managing and tracking project budgets; negotiating project agreements; managing projects from conception to completion, including securing project approvals and identifying and negotiating opportunities for post-exhibition loans to other institutions; writing and producing signage and other exhibition materials; and helping promote each exhibition and artist
identify, solicit and secure funding and cultivate existing and potential donors in order to raise the public art program’s ~$1.5 million annual budget, in collaboration with the MSPC development team and external grant writer
work closely with MSPC program and external affairs team to plan, execute and promote free public programs related to each exhibition
lead art team, and collaborate with and support other MSPC teams, seeking opportunities for cross-pollination
cultivate, consult with, and organize quarterly meetings of the MSPC Art Committee, a small group of MSPC trustees, alumni artists, patrons, museum directors, writers, curators, and neighbors
work with MSPC art and development teams to grow and steward the Art Council and organize member activities
conceive and implement regular symposia on important public art issues
steer the Public Art Consortium, an international cohort of ﬁfty curators from museums, sculpture parks, and public art programs
build and steward partnerships with other parks, community-based organizations and like-minded institutions to expand the reach of the public art program
hone expertise through ongoing research of contemporary artists and participation in relevant programs; attend art fairs, gallery openings, and other cultivation and networking events

Qualiﬁcations and Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in art, art history, arts administration or a closely related ﬁeld; preference for master’s degree or PhD, but experience will be considered in lieu of advanced degree(s)
Minimum 8-10 years of curatorial experience, with a strong track record of working with living artists on site-speciﬁc installations at a scale similar to Madison Square Park; preference for experience commissioning outdoor art on public land
Demonstrated success in institutional, individual and corporate fundraising; comfort asking for and raising funds for projects
Outstanding verbal and written communication skills; ability to convey scholarly content clearly and concisely to a non-specialist public audience
Superior planning and organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent follow-through
Comfort working under pressure against multiple deadlines while maintaining a calm work environment and good humor
Ability to plan years in advance and juggle several large projects in various stages of development
Strong interpersonal skills; enjoys building and maintaining personal and institutional relationships
Self-motivated and resourceful leader; experience managing and working collaboratively as part of a small, mission-driven team
Commitment to creating an equitable, inclusive and welcoming environment within team and for all park visitors
Flexibility to work after hours and on occasional weekends

Compensation, Beneﬁts and Schedule

Annual Salary Range: $145,000 - $160,000, depending on relevant experience and demonstration of successful past performance
Beneﬁts: Employee Health plan, Dental and vision Plan, Vacation/Sick/Personal Days, Floating Holidays, 401K Plan with match after one year of employment, commuter beneﬁts, Short-Term Disability beneﬁt, and Health Advocate beneﬁt
Schedule: Full time; minimum 3 days in ofﬁce required Application Instructions

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume as a single attachment to: artcurator@madisonsquarepark.orgwith the subject line “Chief Curator Position.” Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We encourage applications from people with BIPOC identities.

Please be aware that MSPC requires all employees to be vaccinated for Covid. Accommodations will be considered for a disability, medical, or religious-based reasons.

Madison Square Park Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity (“EEO”) laws. The Conservancy prohibits discrimination against applicants for employment because of the individual’s race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partnership status, genetic information, or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record or any other characteristic protected by law.

Application Instructions / Public Contact Information

Application Deadline
11/30/2024

Madison Square Park Conservancy

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Martin Friedman Chief Curator