Job Description

Colby College Museum of Art
Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried, Administrative Staff Appointment

Reporting to the chief curator, the Lunder Curator of Works on Paper and Whistler Studies advances curatorial work related to prints, drawings, and photographs at the Colby College Museum of Art including exhibition development, collection research and interpretation, and teaching. The curator augments and illuminates the museum’s transhistorical and transnational works on paper collections through exhibitions, collection rotations, and acquisitions, and advises the museum and its benefactors on art purchases and gifts of art.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide ongoing curatorial stewardship of the works on paper collection, ensuring its research, documentation, presentation, interpretation, and digital access, in ways that advance our commitment to diversifying and expanding art historical narratives, with an emphasis on American art
• Organize periodic presentations of works by James McNeill Whistler within the context of the museum’s permanent collection galleries and special exhibition spaces.
• Oversee the Lunder Collection of works by James McNeill Whistler and related archives as well as the Lunder Consortium for Whistler Studies and steward associated grants and collection-dedicated resources in collaboration with advancement colleagues and the director.
• Play a proactive role in the ongoing development of the museum’s collection of prints, drawings, and photographs in dialogue with other curators and under the oversight of the museum’s director and chief curator; regularly propose works of art for acquisition, cultivating donors, soliciting gifts and loans of art, and pursuing possible purchases; identify and secure institutional partnerships for projects and co-purchasing arrangements, as appropriate
• Generate timely, community-responsive, and field-contributing exhibitions and collection displays of works on paper that garner local interest and national attention
• Contribute to the curation of the permanent collection galleries, including interpretive content
• With the education and engagement team, Colby College Libraries, Department of Art, and departments across campus, envision and realize projects, programs, and other engagements that advance curricular priorities at Colby and that also expand entry points to art for all of our audiences; teach and present in the galleries, and lead discussions regularly
• With the Colby College Libraries and the collections management staff, ensure the care, research access, and organization of archival materials related to the works on paper collections
• Work closely with colleagues at the museum and at Colby managing communications and marketing channels to ensure a strategic approach to the authentic dissemination of curatorial content and scholarship, with an eye toward expanding reach, creating public relevance, and diversifying engagement
• Generate scholarly publications and other forms of content related to the works on paper collections and exhibitions at Colby, adopting a stance of critical and creative inquiry as well as bringing equitable, antiracist perspectives to bear upon the questions at hand
• Supervise and mentor interns and, at times, curatorial fellows
• Collaborate with the director of museum development and advancement colleagues to pursue grants and individual gifts
• Cultivate strong relationships with donors, lenders, alumni, the museum’s Board of Governors, and other key stakeholders
• Develop and sustain a network of relationships—peers, mentors, and mentees—in the museum field; remain knowledgeable of trends in this field and in the arts and culture sector generally
• Represent the museum through speaking engagements and other field exchanges in the context of curatorial projects and related duties
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience; art or related humanities field and/or advanced degree preferred
• Minimum three to five years of curatorial experience, including collections and acquisitions, development, interpretation and public programs, and project management; additional years of experience preferred
• Enthusiasm for the museum’s mission and our curatorial program, and capacity to assume leadership in communicating its priorities and values
• Demonstrated research interests in works on paper with additional broad subject knowledge across art and cultural history, as well as commitment to teaching and learning across disciplines
• Ability to assess and act on opportunities to increase the narrative complexity and diversity of the collections and programs, and advance equity in our daily practices and work culture; unwavering commitment to fostering an antiracist, equitable work environment supportive of people from different cultures, backgrounds, and life paths
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and long-term while successfully attending to more immediate goals and tasks; strong planning, and organizational skills
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including relationship skills and ability to work with people across a wide range of levels of power and influence
• Self-motivated, flexible and responsive work ethic; proven ability to work both independently as well as collaboratively within the context of a diverse community
• Demonstrated track record of curatorial activity, including scholarship and publications
• Ability to manage multiple tasks among competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and Google applications; familiarity with digital cloud collaboration platforms preferred
• Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements; willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed

For more information and to apply visit:

https://colby.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ColbyCareers/details/Lunder-Curator-of-Works-on-Paper-and-Whistler-Studies_R0000925