Ellen Johnson '33 Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art
- Employer
- Oberlin College and Conservatory
- Location
- Ohio, United States
- Salary
- Salary Commensurate with experience
- Date posted
- Aug 31, 2021
View more
- Position Type
- Administrative, Academic Affairs, Arts Administration
- Employment Level
- Administrative
- Employment Type
- Full Time
The Allen Memorial Art Museum (AMAM) at Oberlin College is seeking applicants for a curatorial position in modern and contemporary art at the assistant, associate, or full curatorial level. The curator will oversee all aspects of the museum’s research, interpretation, and presentation of its important post-1900 art collections and will collaborate with the curator of academic programs, curator of education, and other staff to engage students in curatorial and research projects and plan a broad range of public programs. The curatorship is a continuing 12-month Administrative and Professional Staff position at the Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, reporting to the director of the museum.
The curator will oversee an outstanding permanent collection of approximately 5,500 American, European, and global works from 1900 to the present representing all media; approximately 1,200 works in the Eva Hesse Archive; and circa 120 African works, most dating to after 1900. The curator will liaise with the curator of Asian art on oversight of post-1900 Asian works. Specific responsibilities include:
- developing in-house and traveling exhibitions and collection installations;
- monitoring and making recommendations for care of the collection;
- teaching with the collection for Oberlin College classes and for other groups;
- participating in collection- and exhibition-related programming for campus and public audiences;
- working with curatorial colleagues and Oberlin College faculty to conceptualize and initiate teaching exhibitions;
- identifying acquisitions through purchase and gift;
- carrying out original research and publishing on the collection;
- expanding physical and digital access to collections;
- working closely with the director and Oberlin College staff to cultivate a broad donor base and to identify, apply for, and report on grant-funded activities;
- contributing to the development of the museum’s strategic planning initiatives;
- preparing a long-range plan for post-1900 holdings;
- mentoring and supervising student assistants;
- and other duties as assigned.
- broad knowledge of art history, particularly from 1900 forward, and a deep commitment to a contextual, cross-disciplinary approach to original works of art;
- demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, the exhibition process;
- a record of publication and public speaking;
- object-based teaching experience;
- some experience relating to the conservation of works of art and to provenance research;
- a commitment to expanding access to the collection for diverse audiences and to fostering inclusion through museum curatorial practice;
- excellent communication skills, as a substantial amount of time will be spent with others on the phone, through email, and in video meetings and in person, and effective leadership and interpersonal skills;
- outstanding collaborative abilities, as the curator will be an important liaison between the museum and faculty, students, supporters, visitors, community partners, and artists;
- highly-developed administrative and organizational capabilities;
- a high degree of professionalism, close attention to detail, collegiality, and ability to meet deadlines;
- the ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours, with some travel required, and to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds;
- foreign language skills commensurate with one’s field.
Candidates should submit a letter of application; curriculum vitae; statement regarding how the candidate addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion through curatorial work; and names, addresses and phone numbers of three references by November 15, 2021. Applications received after the deadline may be considered.
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