Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

Curator – Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville

Position Information
Job Title: Curator
Position Number : 441010
Type of Appt: Full-Time
Working Hours: 8-5, some nights and weekends
Approved Hiring Salary: $60,000 to negotiable
Pay Basis: Annually

General Description

The Curator is a supervisory position which is primarily responsible for the advancement of the Museum’s exhibition program and maintaining a consistently high level of quality for the museum’s exhibition presentations. The Curator is tasked with creating and implementing a balanced schedule comprised of solo, group, and traveling projects. Among other responsibilities, he/she will propose large and small scale exhibitions, managing all phases and communicating all aspects relating to these projects; write scholarly publications and texts; assist with the development and growth of the Permanent Collection, including acquisitions across media; participate in fundraising and cultivation efforts; consult on press and marketing initiatives; and represent the Museum by delivering lectures, participating in symposia, and helping in other ways that further MOCA’s mission.

Job function / essential duties

• Develop and maintain curatorial department, exhibition and collection related budgets.
• Coordinate exhibition schedule with management staff, subject to the approval of the Director, and in conjunction with the approval in input of the Board of Trustee’s Collections and Exhibitions Committee.
• Supervise the Registrar in the management of shipping and receiving of all art objects, including incoming loans, traveling exhibitions, and loans to other museums.
• Supervise installations, deinstallations, and reinstallations of all exhibition space and supervises personnel involved in those activities.
• Review gift proposals from artists and potential donors, present recommendations to the Director and the Collections and Exhibitions committee.
• Train staff as required to impart art handling skills, professional museum related skills, and safety procedures.

Marginal Functions

• Act as liaison to and responsible staff for leading meetings of the Collections and Exhibition committee.
• Make recommendations to the director and committee on accessioning, deaccessioning, and acquisition strategy.
• Serve as liaison to the Collectors Circle in collaboration with the director and membership coordinator to cultivate and provide stewardship to donors.
• Manage specialized volunteers in collections research and other clerical duties. Collaborate with the development department to secure and monitor grant funds and cultivate donors to enhance the collection through gifts of art.
• Maintain good working knowledge of the Museum’s policies, procedures, educational practices and ideologies.
• Be knowledgeable of Museum’s collection and exhibition policies.
• Be knowledgeable of and practice the AAM’s Code of Ethics.
• Serve as part of a team responsible for overseeing Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness as it relates to artworks in the museum’s custody.
• During a declared emergency, this position may be required to perform specific job related duties at a designated offsite location or place of residence.

Required Qualifications

• A Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in a directly related area of specialization and four years of experience directly related to the job functions; or a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in a directly related area of specialization and six years of experience directly related to the job functions.
• Knowledge of contemporary practices and trends in engaging the public through creative and innovative practice.
• Proven experience in cultivating relationships, collaborations, and partnerships with regional, national, and international communities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interface effectively and diplomatically with internal and external constituents including faculty, staff, and community leaders.
• Ability to multitask is essential as are excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Record of strong management and analytic skills, both strategic and operational.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, as needed.

Departmental Requirements

• Preference given to applicants who meet the required qualifications and also possess the following:
  M.Ed/MFA/BA/BS/BFA in Art Education, Museum Studies, Art Administration, Education, Art History, or Studio Art
• Master’s degree in art history with specialization in 20th and 21st century art; PhD preferred.
• Experience curating exhibitions, collections management, demonstrating aptitude as well as administrative and managerial skills.
• Portfolio of scholarship in the field of modern and contemporary art, particularly public programming and publications.
• Demonstrated aptitude in administrative and managerial skills. Proven leadership experience in developing and executing strategic goals, and leading and managing staff and volunteers.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Knowledge of professional procedures of handing works of art.
• Excellent organization and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work with Development on grant and sponsorship proposals.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Outlook) and experience with relational databases and collections management software.

Statement(s) of Understanding

This position requires a level II background check, which includes fingerprinting. In conjunction with the University’s policy, this position may also require a credit check.  The holder of this position is designated as a “Responsible Employee” pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University’s Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator.

Posting Detail Information

Anticipated Start Date: 08/13/2018
Job Posting Date: 4/10/2018
Application Review Date: 07/30/2018
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Point of Contact: Ben Thompson, Deputy Director (904) 620-4206, ben.thompson@unf.edu
Hiring Official: Caitlin Doherty, Director

Special Instructions

Applicants must complete an online application, as well as upload supplemental documents, at www.unfjobs.org in order to be considered for this position. Applicants who do not apply online and/or upload all the required documents will not be considered for this position. Once you submit both your completed application and uploaded documents you will receive a confirmation number. Keep the confirmation number for your records. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Heather Sloan at (904) 620-3226 or at heather.sloan@unf.edu.

Documents Needed to Apply:
Resume, Cover Letter, Writing Sample, and Portfolio (optional)

How to Apply:
Visit www.unfjobs.org and search keywords “Curator” or by department “MOCA”.

References:
Minimum of Three References

Summary Information about MOCA Jacksonville

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Jacksonville, a cultural resource of the University of North Florida, serves the community and its visitors through exhibitions, collections, educational programs, and publications designed to enhance an understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art with particular emphasis on works created from 1960 to present.

MOCA is dedicated to: collecting, preserving and interpreting notable works of modern and contemporary art; presenting exhibitions of local regional, national and international significance; developing first-rate educational programs; and presenting a mixture of artistic disciplines and creative programs to reach all segments of our diverse community.

Summary Information about the University of North Florida

The University of North Florida (“University” or “UNF”) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, abilities, backgrounds and life experiences to achieve a diverse University community.

UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University’s collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF’s mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.