Some universities have both a university art museum directed by someone
considered professional staff AND an art department gallery directed by
someone who has a teaching appointment (generally in a non-tenure-track
position) as well as their gallery duties.  I think the reason it is not a
tenure-track position is because the number of hours it takes to make the
gallery work correctly conflicts with the number of teaching/outside work
commitments required in the promotion and tenure process.  However, each
university is different--some even rotate the gallery director job among the
art department faculty members on a biennial or triennial basis, and don't
expect much in the way of professional operations out of the gallery.  It is
generally the job of the department head to make the case to the dean or
provost to get that appointment changed to either tenure-track or
professional staff, as the situation warrants it.

My experience of this is as follows:

Indiana University:  University art museum w/professional staff; School of
Fine Arts Gallery directed by someone considered professional staff.

University of Indianapolis:  Gallery operated by tenured faculty on a
rotating basis.

Ball State University:  University art museum w/professional staff (director
also serves as adjunct in art department); Art Dept. gallery directed by
tenure-track faculty member on a rotating basis.

Wabash College:  Gallery operated by non-tenure-track faculty member who
both runs the gallery and teaches.

DePauw University:  Gallery/museum operated by a part-time professional
staff member who has the option to teach one class as an adjunct.

Indiana State University:  Art museum operated w/professional staff; also an
art dept. gallery operated by faculty on a rotating basis.

Not very helpful, I know, but in the long run it all depends on the school's
financial situation and commitment to running the gallery as well as the
gumption of whoever is department head or dean.

Good luck,

Julia Moore
Indianapolis Art Center

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Terry Suhre
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 4:16 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: University Art Gallery Director-faculty or staff?


Colleagues,

I have been asked by my chair to conduct an informal survey regarding the
status of the university art gallery director on other campuses. The issues
are; is the art gallery director's appointment a staff or faculty position;
how is the person evaluated; and how does the person in the director's
position advance to higher pay levels?

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