The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (“the Kemper”), Missouri's first contemporary art museum and champion of artists who subsequently rose to national attention, seeks a dynamic leader to serve as Executive Director. The Kemper is committed to celebrating and advancing contemporary art and culture. The Executive Director will embody the passion for artistic exploration, education, and community engagement for which the Kemper is known.
The Kemper has been a center of artistic dialogue since its founding in 1994, housing a diverse collection of artworks that challenge convention and inspire contemplation. The museum strives to enrich the lives of visitors through thought-provoking exhibitions, engaging educational experiences, and a dedication to inspiring creativity and reflection. The Executive Director will join the Kemper at an auspicious moment. The museum is nimble and is poised to serve as a beacon of what a contemporary art museum can and should be: a presenter of bold, innovative, and stimulating exhibitions, a thoughtful community partner, and a hub for education and collaboration. Since its founding, the Kemper has championed diverse and marginalized voices and emerging or relatively unknown artists before either group were prioritized by the field. This is an exciting opportunity for a leader to serve as the principal architect in guiding the Kemper to sustain its core strengths while leveraging opportunities for future success as the museum seeks to celebrate its 30th year.
The museum serves approximately 50,000 visitors annually with 41 full- and part-time employees and an operating budget of $5 million. The museum builds its collection through the purchase of works from its exhibitions, as well as cultivated gifts and purchases. As a result, the Kemper’s growing permanent collection features nearly 1,500 artworks by hundreds of artists. Along with the collection, the museum maintains a schedule of between eight and ten self-organized and traveling exhibitions annually and offers a robust calendar of public programs and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages.
The Kemper has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in the recruitment of its next Executive Director. Please direct all applications, nominations, and inquiries to Isaacson, Miller, and may be sent electronically below.
It is the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, and any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local laws. We prohibit any such discrimination or harassment.
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