Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

The Institution and Position

The Raclin Murphy Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame invites applications and nominations for the position of Associate Curator of the Indigenous Americas and Africa. 

Generally recognized as among the nation’s finest university art museums, the newly opened Raclin Murphy Museum holds one of the largest collections at an academic institution. Works from the Americas (North, Central, and South) are highly regarded, and its holdings of African art have increased greatly in recent years. The new curator should be a recognized specialist in one of the areas within their portfolio and have a strong working knowledge of the others.   

Opportunities for research, curating temporary exhibitions, and contributing to a new collections catalogue are of great importance to the Museum.

Role and Responsibilities

The Associate Curator reports to the Museum director.  This individual will be a vital member of the curatorial team working with the Curator of European and American Art before 1900, the Curator of Photographs, the Museum Director (who also serves as the Curator of Sculpture and oversees Modern and Contemporary Art), and the Museum Registrar. 

In addition, the Associate Curator will work closely with the Museum’s Education Department (Academic and Public Programs) and its Collections, Exhibitions, and Communication teams.  In the context of a robust university system, the Associate Curator will be an important resource to faculty, students, and staff. 

This position is a non-tenure track, academic appointment; teaching opportunities may avail themselves in consultation with the Director. However, the early emphasis will be on developing a strong working knowledge of the permanent collection, crafting rotations of light-sensitive objects currently on view and future temporary exhibitions, as well as researching and writing entries for a forthcoming collection catalog.

This position requires strong written and verbal communication skills, precise attention to detail, and the ability to communicate and work with both academic audiences and the general public. 

A demonstrated team player, the Associate Curator must be able to work independently and collaboratively with the small museum staff and on a vigorous work schedule under the guidance and approvals of the Director.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee the care, display, interpretation, and promotion of the collections in their work portfolio.
• Serve as the primary resource and contact person in tandem with the Museum Registrar for NAGPRA requests. (The Raclin Murphy Museum distributed its updated inventory information to hundreds of indigenous nations by the July 2024 deadline.)
• Liaise with university and community groups that have special connections to the collections and cultures represented in their portfolio.
• Develop a thorough collections plan for their areas of responsibility, including research opportunities for collection focus, growth, and publication with the guidance of the Director.
• Conduct original research on the museum collections. Present and publish their research in academic and scholarly venues and present at appropriate conferences and gatherings.
• Identify and coordinate research opportunities for scholars and students.
• Present on collections and exhibitions to the university community, as well as the general public, through gallery talks, printed materials, media opportunities, and other venues in consultation with the Director.
• Review and develop opportunities for both classic and contemporary temporary exhibitions related to their portfolio of responsibility.
• Occasionally serve as coordinator on a temporary exhibition outside of their portfolio at the request of the Director.
• Serve as the primary resource and editor of collections management database and records related to collection areas within their portfolio.
• Work with the entire curatorial team on donor relations and with the museum’s advisory council as needed.
• Implement museum best practices and work to develop and enhance the role of the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art at the national and international levels.

Qualifications:

• A PhD in an area of specialization in the art of the Indigenous Americas (Mesoamerica or Native) or Africa and working knowledge of the other areas within their portfolio.  
• Minimum of five years collective experience in a curatorial role at an accredited museum.
• Demonstrated research interest and publication/presentation record in the aforementioned areas of expertise.
• Proven connoisseurship and critical thinking skills.
• Demonstrated experience working within the academy and the general public; additional evidence of successful interaction with donors is a plus.
• Evidence of successful teamwork in a rigorous work environment.

Annual Salary:  $85,00 to $95,000 commensurate with professional experience.

Application Process:

By no later than September 9, interested individuals should submit a cover letter, a current CV with their contact information, a list of three references with their contact information, and two writing samples through the University of Notre Dame’s faculty hiring site, Interfolio (apply.interfolio.com/151142).

Materials should be addressed to Joseph Antenucci Becherer, PhD, Director.