The College of Wooster is seeking a Director and Curator for The College of Wooster Art Museum (CWAM). Reporting to the Provost, the Director/Curator provides vision and leadership for the museum and develops strategies to fulfill its mission. The Director is the spokesperson and representative of the museum on campus, within the region, and nationally, integrating visual art into both the curriculum and the life of the campus. The next Director and Curator for the CWAM will join the campus community at a particularly important time as implementation of the recently endorsed strategic plan is underway. The CWAM’s programs will be especially important to the strategic plan’s focus on experiential learning; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and the development of new curricular pathways. The next Director will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of engaged faculty from multiple disciplines, including a new program to be developed in Museum Studies, and explore new forms of collaborative partnership with the support of the Office of Academic Affairs.
- Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Articulate the museum’s mission and provide leadership, cooperative spirit, and momentum to carry out the mission.
- Develop and manage the annual operating budget and assist with development opportunities and efforts when requested.
- Oversee the curation and management of the permanent collection in accordance with Board policy and the mission of the museum, including acquisitions, borrowing and lending of works, conservation and maintenance, deaccessioning, and utilization.
- Ensure the safety of, and accountability for, all assets under the CWAM jurisdiction.
- Direct the exhibitions program by researching, planning, and executing exhibitions that present a broad spectrum of art including local, regional, national and international shows.
- Develop exhibitions that support the curriculum of the college and in which students play an active role.
- Develop programs for and relationships with a diverse population of constituents and stakeholders.
- Maintain and update museum website and oversee strategic and routine communications with campus and community audiences.
- Supervise a half-time preparator and part-time administrative coordinator; hire and supervise five to six student employees yearly.
- Other duties may be assigned.
- Depending on departmental needs and the Director’s teaching experience and academic qualifications, may occasionally teach courses as time permits.
Education
Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, four to five years curatorial and management experience in an academic art museum, as well as a command of museum standards (AAM and AAMG).
Qualifications
- A demonstrated knowledge of a broad range of art historical periods, cultures, and media, and a commitment to creating programming that includes the perspectives of historically underrepresented populations.
- Excellent motivation and interpersonal skills and the ability to interact comfortably with a wide range of individuals.
- Ability to create exhibitions that include audiences of varied ages, cultural backgrounds, and levels of understanding and experience with art
- Excellent organizational and administrative skills, including experience with budgeting
- High standard of professional ethics and integrity and knowledge of ethical standards and professional practices as articulated by the American Alliance of Museums
- Strong writing skills in multiple venues (web site, campus communications, relations with artists, and local press, etc.)
- Proficiency in computer skills (word processing, database management, web design) with experience in collections database platforms highly desirable
The College of Wooster Art Museum is an integral part of the college that strives to support the college’s mission in research, service, and global engagement through exhibitions, scholarship, and collection preservation. The CWAM fosters campus-wide collaborations and interdisciplinary dialogue through several exhibitions per year as well as studio art faculty and student-curated exhibitions. It maintains a permanent collection of over 8,600 works with strengths in African art, Asian art, and European and American prints, with future opportunities for modest growth in this teaching collection. The CWAM maintains a commitment to object-based learning, and multidisciplinary inquiry, supporting the college’s role as a premier institution for mentored undergraduate research (https://www.wooster.edu/offices/museum/).
The College of Wooster is an independent college of the liberal arts and sciences with a commitment to excellence in undergraduate education. The College values diversity strives to attract qualified women and minority candidates, and encourages individuals belonging to these groups to apply. Wooster seeks to ensure diversity by its policy of employing persons without regard to age, sex, color, race, creed, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or political affiliation.
The College of Wooster is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Employment is subject to federal laws requiring verification of identity and legal right to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act. The College of Wooster is a drug-free workplace.
For highest consideration please submit a resume or c.v., cover letter, and a list of 3 professional references which includes name, telephone number and email address. The committee will begin its review of applications on March 2 but will accept applications until the position is filled.
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