Reporting to the Director & CEO for performance reviews with a focus on four areas:
- Content: The vision and concepts foregrounding exhibitions.
- Collaboration: Sharing their vision and concepts to form meaningful programs with Learning & Community Engagement (LCE) and develop meaningful messages with Marketing & Communications to ensure Curatorial projects are relevant to the community.
- Cultivation: Engaging with current and future Norton supporters to generate gifts of art, develop collections, attend art fairs, and lead collector groups in addition to continuing to develop the Museum’s collection of art.
- Coordination: Meeting key milestones in exhibition production and following the curatorial workflow and collection-related procedures created in partnership with the Director of Curatorial Operations & Research.
As part of the management of the department, Curators are accountable to the Director of Curatorial Operations & Research (DCO&R) to meet deadlines that ensure curatorial projects remain on schedule. The DCO&R reports to the Director & CEO and represents the Curatorial Department as a member of the Museum’s Senior Staff. The DCO&R is the Curators’ strategic partner, working alongside them, and leading the museum’s registrars and installers to realize visionary, research-driven curatorial projects, and programs.
The Harold and Anne Berkley Smith Senior Curator of American and European Art is responsible for developing a relevant program of innovative, original exhibitions in collaboration with LCE and Marketing & Communications colleagues and taking care of the permanent collection of the Museum.
The Harold and Anne Berkley Smith Senior Curator of American and European Art will demonstrate in-depth knowledge of European art from 1300 – 1945 and American art from the beginnings of European settlement in the Americas to 1945 and be able to propose acquisitions that will enhance the museum’s collection in this area. They will also be critical in introducing those works to the Norton’s Works of Art Committee (WoAC) in their oversight of acquisitions.
The Harold and Anne Berkley Smith Senior Curator of American and European Art will collaborate with the Director & CEO, Chief Development Officer, and colleagues in Development to generate financial support of European and American art through donor visits and grant and foundation applications, as well as develop, expand, and sustain the Friends of American Art (FoAA), one of four collector groups at the Norton that consist of sophisticated collectors and enthusiasts who expect appealing programming that engages the vast and significant group of collectors in this community.
The Harold and Anne Berkley Smith Senior Curator of American and European Art will suggest, create, and conduct engaging programming through personal connections and propose adventurous ideas with LCE and Marketing & Communications colleagues.
The Harold and Anne Berkley Smith Senior Curator of American and European Art will be familiar with requirements and approximate costs to realize exhibitions and be able to complete projects within time and budgets in partnership with the DCO&R.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Collections:
- Head American and European art departments, overseeing the museum’s America and European paintings, sculptures, and works on paper
- Plan and oversee installation of American and European collection galleries
- Continue to develop the Museum’s Collection Development Strategy for American and European art in collaboration with Director and CEO
- Make recommendations for acquisitions and deaccessions and present them to the Works of Art Committee
- Identify matting, framing, and conservation needs for American and European collection and work with DCO&R, registrars, and outside conservators and framers to complete such projects.
- Supervise Research Assistant and interns as needed
- Serve on cross-departmental committees as requested
- Build and maintain relationships with curators, directors, dealers, auction professionals, critics, journalists, and others in the art world.
Exhibitions and Programming:
- Conceive and organize exhibitions based on rigorous research and original ideas (both traveling shows and collection rotations)
- Present holistic project proposals for exhibitions that incorporate educational programming and marketing in collaboration with LCE and Marketing colleagues, to be presented twice yearly to the Audience Development Committee (ADC)
- Conduct research and write all exhibition didactics including introductory texts, labels, brochures, and catalogues.
- Act as coordinating curator for guest-curated or other traveling exhibitions.
- Design exhibitions and collection installations in collaboration with the Head of Installation and Graphic Designer.
- Identify and secure venues for traveling exhibitions in collaboration with Director and CEO
- Organize and present public programs in collaboration with LCE colleagues
- Create engaging digital programs and online content in collaboration with Marketing colleagues
- Collaborate with Communications colleagues in order to promote American art department exhibitions and projects, including making presentations to and engaging in interviews with the press
- Develop and manage exhibition and departmental budgets in collaboration with the DCO&R, demonstrating familiarity with all project costs including installation, conservation, travel, etc.
Cultivation:
- Cultivate donors in order to receive gifts of art for the Norton’s collection, in collaboration
with the Director & CEO and Chief Development Officer.
- Oversee Friends of American Art collector group and possibly create a Friends of European Art group, including developing annual program of special events and finding potential acquisitions for the group, in collaboration with Development colleagues.
- Write grants for curatorial projects in collaboration with the Chief Development Officer and Director of Institutional Giving
- Collaborate with Director & CEO and Chief Development Officer to solicit funds for acquisitions of European and American art exhibitions and programs.
- Develop and maintain relationships with collectors, donors, private funders, and foundations.
- Represent the museum at national and international art fairs, exhibitions openings, and art world events.
- M.A. in Art History with a specialization in American and/or European art, Ph.D. preferred
- A minimum of 10 years of curatorial experience in American and/or European art with a history of innovative and meaningful exhibitions.
- Excellent writing skills demonstrated by authorship of publications or associated texts on various media platforms
- Strong public speaking skills and the development of public programs that contribute to meaningful dialogue with and among audiences
- Experience coordinating exhibitions from other institutions, smaller spotlight projects, and installing collection galleries
- Established relationships with curators, directors, dealers, auction professionals, critics, and journalists in the art world.
- Strong collaboration skills and knowledge of best practices
- Experience facilitating national and international loans
Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s rights to assign or reassign duties and
responsibilities to this job at any time.
Contact
For immediate consideration, please send an email with your resume, cover letter and references to: HR@norton.org. No telephone calls please.
The Norton Museum of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer and celebrates a diverse team of talented and dedicated staff, docents, and volunteers.
Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.
The Norton Museum of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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