Job description

The Museum of Art at Munson seeks a dynamic and creative individual to fill our Assistant Curator of American Art position.

Position Summary

The Assistant Curator of American Art, who reports to the Director and Chief Curator of the Museum of Art, will direct the development of the American art collection (pre-1915), including exhibition planning, acquisition and deaccession recommendations, permanent collection display and interpretation, and constituent building. The work of the Assistant Curator will foster regional and national recognition of the collection through scholarship, public speaking, and outreach.

The Assistant Curator will contribute to the development of creative programming and strategies for visitor engagement related to the collection. The Assistant Curator will work closely and collaboratively with the Director and Chief Curator of the Museum of Art and Chief Curator, the Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Museum education staff, Registrar and exhibition staff, and other staff across Munson.

Why choose Munson for your next career opportunity?

Munson creates transformational arts experiences that cultivate curiosity and creativity, enlighten, educate, and inspire. We offer exceptional benefits such as health, retirement, and dental and vision plans, generous paid time off, free art classes for you and your family, tickets to live performances, films, and so much more! Discover us at www.munson.art .

About us

Munson is an internationally prominent fine arts center serving diverse audiences through three program divisions – Museum of Art, School of Art, and Performing Arts. Munson was founded in 1919 and hosts some 600 events annually where patrons enjoy exhibitions, performances, art classes, and family-oriented activities.

The Museum of Art is renowned for its art collection and iconic building designed by Phillip Johnson. Among the nation’s most significant mid-sized art museums, its distinguished permanent collection is focused on 300 years of fine and decorative arts, with strengths in 19th-century American painting, sculpture, and decorative arts, works on paper including photography, and European and American modern and contemporary painting and sculpture.

The School of Art offers a robust community arts education program featuring a wide range of art classes. Munson also includes PrattMWP College of Art and Design, a college program affiliated with Pratt Institute, Brooklyn. At PrattMWP, 200 students spend the first two years of their bachelor of fine arts degree program on the Munson campus in Utica before completing their studies at Pratt’s main campus in Brooklyn.

The Performing Arts division presents world-famous soloists and ensembles, rising stars, recitals with commentary, cinema, family programs, outdoor festivals and concerts, and a wide array of art-related events in the museum’s 270-seat auditorium or sculpture court, which seats 500 patrons.

Munson is located in the heart of New York State with easy travel to the Adirondack region, Cooperstown, Syracuse, and Albany, and just a few hours from Boston, New York, and Montreal.

Our Culture

Munson is committed to community engagement and to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Assistant Curator of American Art will model the values and culture of the organization to colleagues and the public by being welcoming, inclusive, and respectful and will value collaboration across the organization.

Essential Job Functions

Exhibitions

Propose exhibitions based on the permanent collection, the curator’s original research, and identify and assess proposed exhibitions from other institutions

Oversee the planning, installation, and related activities of exhibitions related to the permanent collection as well as incoming load exhibitions

Collections

Research the collection and identify priorities for acquisitions and deaccessions in alignment with Munson's strategic plan and collections policy

Identify conservation needs and oversee work with an outside conservation laboratory

Evaluate outside load requests; serve as a courier as required

Work in partnership with Museum Education colleagues to develop public programs and innovative interpretation for visitor engagement with the permanent collection and for special exhibitions; contribute to docent training

Conduct independent research and assist outside contracted scholars or curators as required

Assess the display of the collection for adjustment and plan for future installations

Outreach

Author texts and produce digital material on the collections and exhibitions that appeal to a broad range of visitors and constituents

Present gallery talks, formal lectures, and casual local community outreach

Develop partnerships with local and regional institutions

Departmental

Develop and implement annual departmental and curatorial project budgets

Manage interns and volunteers as appropriate

Institutional

Cultivate relationships with collectors, dealers, Museum patrons, potential donors, sponsors, and other constituents; work with development staff on fundraising and grant writing; collaborate with the Registrar and exhibitions staff on collection management

Collaborate with Marketing and Communications staff in representing the Museum to the public and press

Serve on intra-divisional committees and at special events

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Master’s degree in art history is required; Ph.D. is preferred. Demonstrated expertise in American painting and sculpture from 1700 to 1950. A knowledge of decorative arts is helpful but not required.

Three years of progressively responsible experience in an art museum is required. Additional experience developing and implementing exhibitions is preferred.

Demonstrated scholarly achievement, including original research

Ability to plan, organize, and implement complex tasks with attention to detail, meet goals, and work within deadlines and budgets

Ability to develop and maintain effective, positive working relationships

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, orally, and in writing with a variety of audiences and to think critically, build consensus, and solve problems

Ability to read budget reports and accurately prepare fiscal documents and forms

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $45,000 to $55,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience

Munson offers an excellent benefits package which includes:
Medical, dental, and vision insurances for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner, and dependents.

Paid group life insurance with the ability to purchase additional optional life insurance

Paid short-term and long-term disability coverages

Participation in the Munson TIAA Retirement plan after one year of service

Generous time off including sick time, holiday, early closing on summer Fridays and annual PTO of 14 days with increases beginning in the 4th year

Other benefits include: Employer Assistance Program, Museum of Art Membership with reciprocal admission to other Museums, free School of Art classes for you and your family, and complimentary tickets to world-class performances, films, and children’s performances

As a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization under the IRS Code, Munson is considered a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, a federal program designed to forgive student loan debt for employees of certain non-profit and public employers.

To Apply

If you don’t meet 100% of the above qualifications or check off all the boxes, you should still seriously consider applying. An important part of our interview process is understanding why this position and our mission particularly resonated with you.

Applications will be reviewed as received. Send a cover letter, resume, and three (3) professional references to:

Email

hrjobs@mwpai.org

Munson Museum of Art

310 Genesee Street

Utica, NY 13502

Inquiries

Human Resources (315)797-0000, ext 2153

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