The Sheldon Museum of Art at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln seeks a Curator of Academic Programs to serve as the head of the education department and to strategically position the museum at the center of the university’s academic life.
The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and visionary leader who is deeply committed to object-based learning, interdisciplinary engagement, and innovative interpretative strategies with original works of art. As the primary liaison between the museum and Nebraska’s faculty, staff, and students, s/he will build upon the established success of an academic engagement program that began three years ago. S/he will be responsible for initiating and sustaining broad outreach in a creative and flexible manner with university faculty from the arts, humanities, and beyond. S/he will also facilitate the creative use of Sheldon’s collections and special exhibitions, strengthen existing programs, and advance new ones to support different aspects of the university’s curricula. This may include in-gallery teaching, conceptualizing and executing curricular or co-curricular programs, and working with faculty, students, and staff strategically. As a member of the museum’s senior leadership staff and reporting to the director, the Curator of Academic Programs actively participates in shaping the future of the museum and oversees two full-time assistant curators of education.
Success in the position requires the ability to define and achieve department goals that are in line with Sheldon’s 2020-2025 strategic plan and to take ownership of projects. S/he must also demonstrate a facility for collaborating with faculty and navigating university hierarchies, while also displaying a willingness to embrace experimentation with teaching in the galleries and in planning programs.
Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a field of study related to the Sheldon’s collections or related to one of the University’s academic units.
- Must have five years of professional experience with increasing responsibility in a museum, academic art gallery, or similar non-profit institution focused on art, culture, and/or humanities public education and access.
- Two years of professional experience in a direct supervisory role of paid employees required.
- Must have a demonstrated project history in developing and implementing educational programs along with the knowledge of and commitment to current exhibition practices and collection stewardship policies.
- Must be familiar with curricula, protocols, and areas of study at a major research university.
- Excellent writing, communication, and public speaking skills for multiple audiences required.
- Must demonstrate the ability to promote collaborative teamwork, creativity, and open communication with diverse constituencies.
- Must have the ability to concurrently manage, delegate, and execute multiple tasks to meet firm deadlines along with the ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in the performance of duties with only general supervision or direction.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in a discipline supported by the Sheldon’s collections or related to one of the University’s academic units preferred.
- A record of publication related to the candidate’s field of study and/or professional endeavors preferred.
- Familiarity with contemporary practices in K-12 museum education preferred.
- Curatorial experience preferred.
Salary Range: $58,000-65,000 commensurate with experience
About the Sheldon Museum of Art, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and Lincoln, NE:
Located on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and abutting downtown Lincoln, the Sheldon Museum of Art is one of the nation’s leading university art museums. Housed in a landmark building designed by Philip Johnson, the museum welcomes over 60,000 guests annually, and over 130 classes take place in the galleries each academic year. With a collection of almost 13,000 works, Sheldon has strengths in American Modernism, post-WWII abstraction, photography, and outdoor sculptures and is actively expanding its collection with a robust acquisitions program. The museum’s exhibition calendar aligns with the university’s academic calendar, with three to six new exhibitions each season, providing ample opportunities to experiment with innovative programming and engagement.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is the flagship campus of the University of Nebraska system. As an R1, Big 10 university, Nebraska is a research-intensive institution committed to providing world-class education to a population of 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students in nine academic colleges and over 150 fields of study. Founded in 1859, the university is celebrating its 150th year in 2019, with an eye towards its future as a twentieth-first-century university.
As the capital city of the state of Nebraska, Lincoln is a vibrant and safe city with a population of almost 300,000. Close to Omaha and Kansas City, Lincoln has a rich culture of visual and performing arts, along with a strong park system that includes an extensive bike trail network of over 134 miles of paths. The city also has an affordable cost of living, an excellent public school system, and a flourishing business community, with a growing technology sector. For more about Lincoln, please visit: https://www.unl.edu/lincoln/about-lincoln
Criminal background check will be conducted. Excellent benefits including staff/dependent scholarship program. Applicant review begins October 7. View requisition S_190854 at https://employment.unl.edu for details and to apply. UNL is committed to a pluralistic campus community through affirmative action, equal opportunity, work-life balance, and dual careers.
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