Museum Curator

Description:

Essential Functions:

• • Curate, co-curate, and coordinate art exhibitions of varied subjects usually, but not always, related to the permanent collections and oversee their implementation (sometimes in collaboration with an outside curator): writing or editing gallery text, designing and overseeing installations, writing for and editing catalogues, contributing articles to the museum magazine.

• Research and publish on permanent collection: researching works of art to produce or update gallery labels and update curatorial files. Manage provenance research of potential acquisitions and of the permanent collection. Serve as an active member of the SMU, national, and international community of scholars and museum professionals. Work with the staff of the Custard Institute for Spanish Art and Culture.

• Public presentation of collection and temporary exhibitions; includes working with the museum's education department to carry out docent training; tours for visitors, VIP guests, MMAC members, and fellows scholars; deliver class lectures in collaboration with SMU faculty; etc. Present original research at academic conferences. Participate in the organization of academic symposia for the Museum or Institute and beyond.

• Day to day administrative duties of the curatorial department, e.g., drafting loan request letters, acquisition memos, grant applications, managing curatorial budget, editing gallery and catalogue text and managing curatorial staff.

• Occasional evening/weekend hours may be required for an exhibition, project or event.
• Occasional travel for couriering works of art; research for exhibitions or for the permanent collection; and for attending seminars and symposia related to research and/or professional advancement at the discretion of the director.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Master 's degree is required. A PhD is preferred.

Minimum of five years of museum experience, preferably in a fine art museum. Seven years or more in progressive roles within a curatorial department preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate fluency speaking, reading, and writing Spanish is required. Fluency in (reading or speaking) another European language (German, Italian, French, etc.) is also desirable.

Candidate must be able to handle high priority projects with keen attention to detail, schedules, and budgets.

Candidate ability to work effectively across museum/university departments and with the national and international museum community is essential.

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Excellent research, editing, proofreading, analytical, and computer skills are essential.

Candidate familiarity with Microsoft Office is also essential.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend, stand
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Reach above shoulders
• Carry/lift 25 lbs