We’re hiring an IRWG Graduate Fellow for Exhibits!

The Institute for Research on Women and Gender (IRWG) announces a paid position for a UM graduate student (at any level or program) to assist with our Lane Hall gallery exhibits. We are looking for someone interested in curating and setting up feminist/gender/sexuality-related art and media exhibits in the Lane Hall gallery space. The Lane Hall Exhibit Space typically hosts one exhibition per semester, with flexibility to extend the exhibits into the summer. Sponsored by the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies and the Institute for Research on Women and Gender, the exhibits feature two-dimensional art or visual objects and artifacts around a theme related to gender and/or sexuality. There are also two display cases for three-dimensional objects. The exhibits may represent the work of one artist, or a collective. An additional goal of the Lane Hall Exhibit Space is to offer gallery-based learning opportunities. View a list of previous exhibitions.

The IRWG Graduate Fellow for Exhibits will work with all IRWG staff members but most closely with the events coordinator and staff in Women’s and Gender Studies who share the gallery space with us. IRWG has a team of 3 graduate fellowship positions in research development, communications, and gallery exhibits (this opportunity), as well as 2 work study students. This team assists the Director and core staff members. (Core staff has previously set up all the exhibits, but we created this position because we need more help given expansions in IRWG’s work elsewhere.)

Start date is negotiable, ideally in early March 2022 with an eye toward opening an exhibit by September 2022.

Duties will include:

• Researching, finding, brainstorming, and gathering suggestions for artists and media for exhibits in the Lane Hall gallery space, with 2 exhibits per academic year (changeover in January);

• Working with faculty and staff in WGS and IRWG to select artists and works for the exhibit space, including handling details such as shipping art, hanging, adjusting gallery lighting, wall prep, and planning out the exhibit;

• Overseeing the exhibit budget and tracking expenses;

• Advertising the exhibits, including designing digital flyers, emails, social media assets and writing press releases and web content copy;

• Reaching out to faculty teaching courses who could benefit from integrating the exhibit into their classes;

• Taking the lead in planning events such as a gallery launch party and research panel for the topic and artist featured in the exhibits;

• Taking down the exhibit materials, returning artwork to the artist(s), restoring and preparing gallery space for the next exhibit, including patching/painting;

• Working in person in the IRWG suite for at least some of scheduled work hours.

The IRWG Graduate Fellow for Exhibits will work whatever hours are necessary throughout the academic year and summer at a pay rate of $22-$26 per hour (negotiable based on experience). The Fellow will have an office in the IRWG suite (possibly shared, but available for use outside of work hours for studying and writing).

We would anticipate keeping the same Fellow for the whole academic year and summer, but if you are only available for one term please apply and indicate that.

To apply, please send the following materials via email to IRWG Director Anna Kirkland (akirklan@umich.edu) by Monday February 7th:

• A brief statement of one page or less describing your interest in the position, your current research and stage of training, any exhibit experience and technical skills, and attesting to your willingness to work in person in the summer of 2022 and during the 2022-2023 academic year;

• A short resume or CV with relevant experience;

• A list of all other employment obligations such as GSI positions, major deadlines such as qualifying exams, and travel plans that shows sufficient time in your schedule to fulfill the duties over the academic year;

• And the name and email address of a faculty member who has supervised your work recently (preferably a paid RA position, but it could be a committee member who has not supervised paid work)

The Director and IRWG staff will review applications and make a decision by February 15th.