Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

SAECC1690

www.memphis.edu/jobs

Application Deadline:  September 7, 2018

The University of Memphis is a public doctoral research university with its main campus in East Memphis, which serves approximately 17,000 undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students.  The Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM) is a unit of the College of Communication and Fine Arts, which also includes the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music and the departments of Architecture, Art, Communication and Film, Journalism and Strategic Media, Theater and Dance.  It occupies a purpose-built space of about 10,000 square feet.

AMUM opened in 1981 as the University Gallery, an Art Department facility for temporary exhibitions.  In 1994, the gallery separated from the department and was renamed the Art Museum of the University of Memphis in recognition of its status as a collecting and research organization.  Collections include ancient Egyptian art, under the aegis of an academic Center of Excellence, the Institute of Egyptian Art and Archaeology (with dedicated curator), African art and artifacts, 19^th and 20^th century American and European works on paper and paintings and small collections of North and South American indigenous art, ancient Mediterranean sculpture and glass, 20^th century architecture and design and other groups of objects typical of young academic museums.   AMUM also has a born-digital collection of photographs of buildings by the African American architect, Paul R. Williams, which is a foundation for its research website in collaboration with AIA Memphis:  www.paulrwilliamsproject.org.  In 2003, AMUM became the administrative locus of the U of M’s Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies.  The museum presents 8-12 exhibitions each year; most of these are curated in-house or with contracted curators.  A significant area of interest since 1994 is community engagement projects.  AMUM has five full-time staff, two graduate assistants, several student interns and occasional volunteers and research associates.

The Assistant Director/Curator of Collections is a permanent full-time position with eligibility for all U of M benefits.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM) seeks an Assistant Director/Curator of Collections at an exciting moment in its history when the museum is preparing for growth.  The AD will work closely with the Director on all aspects of long and near term planning, including a new strategic plan, collection development plan, exhibition development plan, and with the U of M Office of Development, board recruitment and fundraising programs.   With the Director, the AD will project manage exhibits, educational programs, community engagement projects, and special programs, work with artists, guest curators, researchers, vendors and internal U of M and external stakeholders and experts.  As Curator of Collections, the AD will guide and oversee other staff and graduate assistants in all aspects of collection management, including collection storage and care, preparation for exhibits, loans, conservation, maintaining collection documents, database and archives, public and research access.  With students, the Curator develops changing exhibitions for Caseworks, and is encouraged to develop or facilitate other exhibits and research pertaining to the collections.

Minimum Position Qualifications:

• Candidates must have a masters degree in art history, archaeology, anthropology, museum studies, fine art, cultural studies or other relevant museum-related field and knowledge of museum operations with three years of full-time progressive responsibility in museums.  Relevant experience may substitute for required education.  AMUM is especially interested in candidates with academic museum experience.
• Candidates must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of collection database management systems, preferably Past Perfect
• Excellent communication skills
• Superb management skills and attention to accurate documentation and best practices
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects and work with multiple stake-holders
• Ability and desire to collaborate with staff
• Ability and desire collaborate to with U of M academic units to develop student learning activities

Application Process:

Please go to www.memphis.edu/jobs  for application details and instructions.

The University of Memphis is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We urge all qualified applicants to apply for this position. Appointment will be based on qualifications as they relate to position requirements without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status.