Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

The Allen Memorial Art Museum (AMAM) at Oberlin College seeks a creative and collaborative museum professional who is dedicated to interdisciplinary teaching to fill the role of Assistant Curator of Academic Programs. This is a continuing, full-time, 12-month Administrative and Professional Staff position with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2023 that reports to, and works closely with, the Curator of Academic Programs.

The Assistant Curator will help expand the teaching capacity of the museum’s Office of Academic Programs, which develops new and innovative ways of making the AMAM and its collections central to the College of Arts and Sciences and Conservatory of Music academic experience by working closely with faculty members and developing innovative programs and activities that support curricular learning. To that end, the Assistant Curator will:

• Teach and co-facilitate class visits in the museum galleries and Print Study Room that prioritize object-based learning and the exchange of ideas and perspectives to inspire inquiry
• Build partnerships with faculty across disciplines to expand and improve the AMAM’s support of curricular teaching including through one-on-one meetings, exhibition previews, focus groups, and other forms of outreach
• Oversee self-guided faculty visits to ensure the quality of the in-gallery experience
• Hire, supervise, and mentor student employees with the Curator
• Working with the museum’s registrars and preparators, coordinate the movement of art from storage to teaching areas, balancing access with object safety
• Conduct assessment and evaluation as well as track statistics related to curricular teaching and initiatives
• Strategically manage the calendar of visits to maximize impact while ensuring quality of student and faculty experience
• Conduct research on the AMAM’s collection as well as topics in higher education, museums, and object-based pedagogies to expand and improve teaching practice as well as contribute to the field through conference presentations and publications
• Support other museum programs and initiatives through gallery teaching, exhibitions, presentations, and special tours
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• M.A. degree in an object-focused field of study (such as art history, studio art, history, anthropology, or archaeology) or museum studies
• 3 years of professional museum experience beyond internships with at least 1 year of teaching in museums or higher education
• Broad knowledge of art and material culture as represented in the AMAM’s collection, and a willingness to learn about subjects and materials outside of established areas of expertise
• Excellent collaboration and organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• High degree of professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines
• Understanding of the learning needs of college-aged students
• Highly developed communication skills across platforms including in-person, email, telephone, and Zoom and in response to the needs of different audiences
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive learning environment for all Oberlin students
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours
• Ability to lift and carry objects weight up to 25 pounds

Desired qualifications

• Art-handling experience, especially of works on paper
• Supervisory oversight of interns or student employees
• Experience using TMS (The Museum System), Slack, and Trello or other project management software
• Foreign language skills

Quick Link for Posting:  https://jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/13686

Compensation:  Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and is expected to range from $42,000 to $44,000; the position includes an excellent benefits package.

To apply:

Candidates should submit: 1) a cover letter, 2) a curriculum vitae, 3) a teaching statement that includes how you create a supportive learning environment for students of all backgrounds, and 4) contact information for three references by April 15 through Oberlin College’s PeopleAdmin portal at: https://jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/13686. All applications must be received through the portal.  Applications received after the deadline may be considered.

About the Allen Memorial Art Museum (AMAM) and Oberlin College: 

For more than a century, Oberlin College has been committed to promoting direct study of original works of art to foster visual literacy and a deeper understanding of the diversity of the world’s cultures. Today the AMAM houses an encyclopedic collection of more than 15,000 works selected to provide a comprehensive overview of the history of art and is recognized as one of the best academic museums in the country. The AMAM serves a broad regional audience and operates on the premise that learning about art is important for everyone, a principle demonstrated by free public admission, offered since its founding in 1917.

In addition to serving a broad public, the AMAM’s collection is used in teaching in nearly all Oberlin College disciplines in the Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music, including Africana studies, anthropology, art, biology, chemistry, cinema studies, comparative American studies, creative writing, environmental studies, foreign languages and literatures, history, Latin American studies, mathematics, music and historical performance, politics, and religion, among others.

The museum complex includes a 1917 building designed by Cass Gilbert. In the 1970s, Robert Venturi designed a gallery dedicated to the presentation of modern and contemporary art, the architect’s first museum commission. The AMAM also shares responsibility with Oberlin College for a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house, the first Usonian house in Ohio, located in Oberlin.

Founded in 1833, Oberlin College is a private, four-year, highly selective national liberal arts college near Cleveland, Ohio, and is also home to an outstanding Conservatory of Music. Together, the two divisions enroll approximately 2,900 students. Oberlin College was the first college in the U.S. to make interracial education and co-education central to its mission. The College continues to view a diverse, equitable, and inclusive educational environment as essential to the excellence of its academic program. Among liberal arts colleges, Oberlin is a national leader in successfully placing graduates into Ph.D. programs.

Oberlin College is committed to professional staff, faculty, and student diversity, equity, and inclusion. The incumbent will bring understanding of or experience working with underrepresented and diverse academic populations. Oberlin is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the excellence and diversity of the academic community. Oberlin recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran’s status, and/or other protected status as required by applicable law.