Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: Curator/Director of Academic Initiatives

Position Summary:  The Director of Academic Initiatives is responsible for the development, implementation, and oversight of academic initiatives that enhance the Nasher’s contribution to the University’s academic agenda. Collaborating with faculty across campus, the Director of Academic Initiatives encourages the meaningful participation of the Nasher and its collection and exhibitions in graduate and undergraduate curricula.  This includes the administration of the Concentration in Museum Theory and Practice in collaboration with the department of Art, Art History, and Visual Studies (AAHVS). This position oversees the work of the Assistant Curator of Academic Initiatives, the Student Outreach and Membership Coordinator and Graduate Teaching Assistants.  This position may also oversee one of the museums special collection areas. The Director of Academic Initiatives reports to the Director of the museum.

Duties include:

Program Development and Planning (30%)

• Works with faculty to develop new courses, exhibition concepts, or research projects utilizing the Nasher Collection
• Oversees faculty and student exhibitions in the Incubator gallery
• Seeks out and encourages the use of the museum’s resources by departments and professional schools not traditionally understood as art museum clients
• Creates and collaborates with colleagues across campus in support of strategic plans and initiatives of the Nasher Museum and Duke University
• Coordinates with other arts leaders and organizations on campus, particularly at the Rubenstein Arts Center
• Attends and occasionally presents at national conferences
• Maintains affiliations with colleagues within college and university museums locally and nationally

Teaching (30%)

• Oversees and administers Concentration in Museum Theory and Practice ensuring requisite courses are taught in sequence and at requisite frequency including:
• Teaches, or co-teaches: Art History 220S: Museum Theory and Practice Teaches Art History 221S: The Museum Object; and Art History 455S: Curatorial Practicum as needed
• Administers Art History 310 and 311: Museum Internship I and II
• Advises students enrolled in Concentration
• Works with AAHVS faculty and administrators to assess the concentration.
• Oversees special access to the museum collections for courses, faculty and academic colleagues from other institutions.
• Designs and presents structured museum experiences to support curricular objectives
• Develops and leads workshops on object based teaching and technical art history topics for university faculty, instructors, and graduate students
• Teaches or co-teaches courses using the museum’s collections or special exhibitions

Administration (25%)

• Manages the daily operation of Academic Initiatives projects and oversees annual and multiyear plans in accordance with the Museum’s strategic plans
• Develops and manages Academic Initiatives budgets
• Participates as a senior staff member of the Museum in the development and implementation of institutional plans, long-range budgets, and other initiatives
• Coordinates and facilitates the activities of other museum departments with the work of Academic Initiatives
• Seeks sources of funding and works with Nasher Development, University Development, and other University collaborators to develop proposals and grants

Collection and Exhibition Research (15%)

• Researches, writes and publishes on the collection in areas of expertise
• Works with faculty and students on the development of course and seminar-initiated installations and publications

Education Requirements:  PhD in art history or related field required

Qualification & Experience Requirements:  No less than four years of professional experience in an academic environment. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. Strong leadership, conceptual, written, and oral communication skills. Ability to work collegially with staff, faculty, and the arts community. Demonstrated ability to supervise as well as to work successfully with others. Proven ability to handle a variety of tasks concurrently in a complex environment. Record of college-level teaching, research, exhibition development, and publications.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

To apply:

Please send cover letter and CV to Carolyn W. Watson, HR Specialist, Nasher Museum of Art carolyn.watson@duke.edu

Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.