Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Position Announcement

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University seeks an accomplished and strategic leader to serve as Program Director, a full-time administrative position responsible for overseeing and advancing Tyler’s partnership initiatives with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA).

The Director provides vision, leadership, and operational oversight for a portfolio of academic and professional programs based at PAFA that enhance Tyler’s teaching, research, and community engagement mission. This role is critical in strengthening institutional collaboration, expanding opportunities for students and alumni, and increasing the visibility of both Tyler and PAFA within Philadelphia’s cultural landscape.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Director will foster meaningful connections among artists, scholars, curators, critics, gallerists, and civic partners. The position requires a deep understanding of contemporary art and visual culture; the ability to work collaboratively across institutions; and the leadership skill to guide complex programs from conception through execution and assessment.

Required Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Art History, Arts Administration, Curatorial Studies, or a related field.
  • Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in arts administration, higher education, museum programming, or related cultural-sector work.
  • Demonstrated success managing complex programs with multiple stakeholders and institutional partners.
  • Experience with budget development, monitoring, and basic reporting.
  • Strong understanding of curatorial, educational, and professional practices in the visual arts.
  • An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Education and Experience

  • Master’s degree or terminal degree in a relevant discipline.
  • Experience developing or administering university partnerships or collaborations with arts institutions.
  • Proven success in program strategy, implementation, and evaluation.
  • Familiarity with Philadelphia’s arts, culture, and museum ecosystem.

Required Skills and Abilities

  • Excellent communication, relationship-building, organizational, and project-management skills.
  • Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively in a team-based environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Collaborative and diplomatic, with a demonstrated ability to build relationships across organizations.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in arts education and cultural programming.
  • Strategic and creative thinker with strong problem-solving and leadership skills.
  • Enthusiastic advocate for artists, students, and the Philadelphia arts community.
  • Self-motivated, able to work independently and exercise good judgment.
  • Candidate must be ability to travel between Temple University’s Main Campus and PAFA.

About the Tyler School of Art and Architecture

Since 1935, Tyler has offered students instruction from a world-renowned faculty combined with the resources of Temple University, a large, urban research institution. Tyler’s programs span art, design, art history, art education, and architecture. Students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, a rigorous curriculum, and a large, diverse campus community. Tyler prepares students to make meaningful contributions across a range of fields through the strength of their creative and technical skills, their ability to visualize solutions, and their personal vision informed by social and civic responsibility.

About Temple University

Founded in 1884, Temple University is a Carnegie R1 (Very High Research Activity) institution and one of the nation’s largest urban public research universities. Located in North Philadelphia, just 1.5 miles from Center City, Temple enrolls more than 30,000 students across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Faculty and students benefit from the university’s dynamic urban setting, vibrant campus life, and partnerships that make a meaningful impact locally and globally.

Temple University is committed to equal opportunity in all aspects of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or veteran status.

Seeking an accomplished and strategic leader responsible for overseeing and advancing Tyler’s partnership initiatives with the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA). The Program Director will foster meaningful connections among artists, scholars, curators, critics, gallerists, and civic partners. The position requires a deep understanding of contemporary art and visual culture; the ability to work collaboratively across institutions; and the leadership skill to guide complex programs from conception through execution and assessment.