Classification Title: Harn Museum Curator II
Classification: Full-time, Teams Exempt
POSITION SUMMARY
With a thorough knowledge of and academic training in contemporary art, theory or practice, the individual serves as the Associate Curator of Contemporary Art within the Harn Museum of Art. The curator has primary responsibility for the development, management, and interpretation of the Museum’s collection of global contemporary art representing all media. Primary duties are defined by the following: in consultation with the Chief Curator and Museum Director, develops the contemporary art collection; along with the registrar, supervises the management of the contemporary art collection; supervises the cataloging of the contemporary art collection; originates exhibitions from the collections and to complement the collections; interprets the collections in cooperation with the museum’s education staff; and conducts ongoing research, publications, journal articles, lectures and scholarly papers on the collections. The curator develops exhibitions within the Museum and for travel to other institutions; actively seeks related loan exhibitions for the museum; and collaborates on interdisciplinary exhibitions and related programs and publications with Harn colleagues and with a diverse group of colleagues, faculty and students across the university and Gainesville community as well as with other museum colleagues nationally and internationally. Within the curatorial department, the curator develops and manages general and project budgets and helps build and monitor use of endowed funds for acquisitions. The curator supervises OPS staff, interns or other volunteers as needed.
The Harn Museum of Art at the University of Florida seeks an Associate Curator of Contemporary Art to strengthen the development, research, presentation, interpretation, renown, and growth of the Museum’s collection of global contemporary art representing all media. In addition to specializing in contemporary art, theory or practice, the ideal candidate will possess at least one year of curatorial or research experience in the history of art by Latinx, African, African-American, African-diasporic, or Indigenous artists. The candidate may be an emerging or already established curator.
The Harn’s Associate Curator of Contemporary Art leads the development and interpretation of the Museum’s contemporary art collection encompassing more than 2,000 objects of international art in all media. The contemporary collection is presented in thematic exhibitions in an expansive 6,500 square-foot gallery within the Mary Ann Harn Cofrin Pavilion and the adjacent Bob and Nancy Magoon Garden. Major examples of outdoor contemporary sculpture are installed on the Harn grounds and the adjacent Cultural Plaza. Working in partnership with the entire curatorial team, the Associate Curator of Contemporary Art takes the lead on the outdoor sculpture program at the Harn.
Global in perspective, the collection focuses on relevant issues and ideas in contemporary art practice. Thematic currents in the collection include an emphasis on social and political conditions, a concentration on materials and process, and conceptual modes of practice. Art by contemporary artists span the Harn’s collecting areas with works by El Anatsui, Radcliffe Bailey, Sammy Baloji, William Kentridge, Zanele Muholi, Kara Walker and Kehinde Wiley. Dynamic connections and synergies also exist with the Harn’s Asian, photography and modern collections providing many opportunities for collaboration across curatorial departments in terms of acquisitions, exhibitions, and programs.
The contemporary collection represents the work of diverse individuals including women, LGBTQIA+ artists, African-Americans, Black and Latinx artists, Hispanic-Americans, Asian-Americans, and international artists. The Harn seeks a candidate who is familiar with critical theories and histories of decolonization, race, ethnicity, class, ability, gender and sexuality in the production, reception and institutionalization of art and possesses a demonstrated investment in creating and fostering diversity and inclusion through their record of museum curatorial practice.
The University of Florida provides many rich opportunities for scholarly interaction with fellow Harn curators and professional colleagues. This candidate will possess the ability to and interest in collaborating on interdisciplinary exhibitions and related projects with other units across campus including the School of Art + Art History, the University Gallery; the African American Studies Program; the Center for African Studies; the Center for Latin American Studies; and Multicultural and Diversity Affairs.
The preferred candidate for the Associate Curator of Contemporary Art is an accomplished professional in contemporary art with a record of scholarship, publications, acquisitions, exhibitions, and collaborative programming. The curator manages and develops the contemporary art collection in consultation with the Chief Curator and Museum Director. The position requires an ability to work collegially with all museum departments and with a diverse group of colleagues, faculty, and students across the university. In developing exhibitions and related programs and publications, the curator collaborates with Harn colleagues as well as University of Florida faculty and students, the Gainesville community, and other museum colleagues nationally and internationally.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
· Curating exhibitions within the Museum and for travel to other institutions.
· Interpretation of the permanent collection of contemporary art through exhibitions and publications in a variety of formats such as catalogue essays, wall texts, articles for the Museum’s magazine, and website.
· Original research for publication and presentation for academic audiences and the general public.
· Refining the collection and making recommendations for acquisitions and deaccessions.
· Contributing to the development of the Museum’s overall strategic planning initiatives.
· Cultivation and stewardship of donor relationships.
· Conception and development of grants projects in collaboration with the museum director, director of development, and other museum staff.
· Participation in national and international conferences and symposia.
· Collaboration with Museum educators on development of public programs.
· Providing lectures and tours to staff, docents, UF classes and the public.
· Attending Museum events and collection visits outside of regular business hours, as necessary.
· Mentoring Museum interns.
· Responding to queries from museum colleagues and the general public.
· Other duties as assigned.
· The position requires time working outside the museum.
· The position requires a substantial amount of time communicating by phone, email, video meetings, and in person.
· Some travel will be required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Master’s Degree in art history or related field, or Bachelor’s degree in art, art history, museum studies, or a related field and four years of museum curatorial experience or any equivalent combination of experience, training, or education.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
· PhD or Master’s degree in art history or related field, with a specialization in contemporary art, theory, or practice; three to five years of museum curatorial experience.
· Accomplished professional in contemporary art or visual culture with a record of scholarship, publications, acquisitions, exhibitions, public speaking, and collaborative programming.
· At least one year of specialized curatorial or research experience in the history of art by Latinx, African, African-American, African-diasporic, or Indigenous artists is highly desirable.
· Commitment to working within a university setting and with diverse audiences and communities.
· Ability to collaborate with university faculty, students and interns, museum staff, professional colleagues, and museum supporters to achieve institutional goals.
· Knowledge of critical theories and histories of decolonization, race, class, ability, gender and sexuality in the production, reception, and institutionalization of art.
· Demonstrated investment in creating and fostering diversity and inclusivity through record of museum curatorial practice.
· Excellent organizational, interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills.
· Strong public speaking and written presentation skills.
· Eagerness to work collaboratively and in an innovative manner.
· Experience in donor cultivation and grant development.
Salary Range: $52,500 – $76,000 commensurate with experience.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 22, 2023
Applications must be submitted online at https://jobs.ufl.edu (Job Search 528646) or https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/528646/associate-curator-of-contemporary-art
Categories: Job Postings