Position Summary:
The Museum Director & Chief Curator provides the vision and artistic direction for the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art and will ensure the institution reflects Auburn University’s commitment to excellence in the arts. Taking the curatorial lead, the Museum Director & Chief Curator will bring a 21st-century perspective to the task of defining the museum’s scope and direction of exhibitions, programming, and acquisitions. The individual will be encouraged to champion fresh thinking and approaches to art; seizing opportunities to be creative, experimental, and innovative. The Museum Director & Chief Curator will develop and execute an ongoing programmatic schedule that supports the land-grant mission of Auburn University, captures the interest of the community, and embraces the multidisciplinary mission and vision of the arts district in concert with the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Oversee the development and execution of the museum’s strategic plan ensuring alignment with the University’s mission, vision, and strategic goals.
- Advance an innovative vision for the museum by bringing new philosophies, ideas, and approaches to exhibitions, collection installations, the permanent collection, acquisitions, educational experiences, and museum events.
- Demonstrate leadership by developing and planning of all curatorial initiatives including but not limited to each season’s exhibition schedule, educational experiences and publications, and digital resources acknowledged extensively for their excellence in the field and engagement to broad and diverse audiences.
- Build and maintain a diverse and inclusive Advisory Board, with the museum’s major gifts officer, that is highly engaged and assists with leveraging and securing resources.
- Act as spokesperson for the museum to a wide and inclusive base locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
- Maintain open communication with all constituencies regarding the evaluation of financial, programmatic, and overall impact; comparing performance to stated milestones and goals.
- Work collaboratively with the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center, University partners, and community stakeholders in the development of a multidisciplinary arts and innovation district.
- Maintain consistent guidelines of the American Association of Museums (AAM) and the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) to ensure continued AAM accreditation and AAMD membership.
- Supervises JCS Museum staff to include planning, coaching, rewarding, and recognizing. Responsible for appraising performance and ensuring that the training and development needs of staff are met.
Minimum Qualifications:
Entry into applicant pool requires a Master’s degree from an accredited institution in Museum Studies, Arts Administration, Art History, or related field.
Candidates must have minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible curatorial and art museum management experience. Seven (7) years must be at a senior level position with experience in leading curatorial practice, educational programming, and museum administration. Advanced knowledge of museum curating, research, and collection development. Expert knowledge of the guidelines for the American Association of Museums (AAM) and the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD).
Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills including the ability to communicate complex concepts about visual art, history, and cultural practice to an audience that ranges from casual museum-goers to academics is required.
Proven track record in fundraising with annual giving campaigns, major gifts, planned giving; including the cultivation and recognition of collections donors. Demonstrated success developing strategies and opportunities for innovative revenue enhancement.
Please utilize the attachment feature of our online employment site and attach the following: cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least three (3) professional references. Only applicants who submit a complete application packet containing all these items will be accepted for review.
Click Here to Apply:
https://www.auemployment.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=192550
A commitment to an inclusive and diverse campus environment is required.
Desired Qualifications:
Ph.D. degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field is desired. Advanced knowledge of, and experience in, museum curating, research, and collection development.
Established networks in the art field including but not limited to museum leaders, collectors, art experts, and foundations.
Advanced knowledge of, and experience in, museum curating, research, and collection development.
Established networks in the art field including but not limited to museum leaders, collectors, art experts, and foundations.
Ability to inspire and build confidence across a broad range of constituencies including but not limited to members of staff, Advisory Board, University community, and region.
Ability to collaborate internally and externally and cultivate strong relationships with colleagues, faculty, staff, community, and donors.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to communicate complex concepts about visual art, history, and cultural practice to an audience that ranges from casual museum-goers to academics.
Understand and maintain the highest ethical standards related to organizational responsibilities, public accountability, and university policy.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.
About the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University
Celebrating its 15th anniversary in October 2018, the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art (JCSM) is housed on 15 acres at the southern entrance of Auburn University’s main campus. The grounds of the museum feature an English-inspired formal area and woodland landscape, outdoor sculpture gardens, and landscaped walking paths around a man-made lake. The 40,000 square-foot modern structure incorporates six exhibition galleries, administrative offices, museum shop, café, a 127-seat auditorium, and a terrace overlooking the lake. The lower level accommodates a works-on-paper study room, a recently renovated permanent collection vault system, exhibition preparatory areas, loading dock, and additional staff and security offices.
JCSM’s permanent collection of more than 2,400 works is devoted primarily to 19th and 20th century American and European Art, which includes the Advancing American Art Collection and The Louise Hauss and David Brent Miller Audubon Collection. Other collection strengths include mid-20th-century American modernism, modern Mexican printmaking, The Helen and Dwight Carlisle Collection of Irish Belleek Porcelain, a three-tiered Dale Chihuly chandelier sculpture, and works on paper and self-taught artists pertaining to and from the southern United States. Gifts to acquisition funds have enabled the museum to develop areas of focus in outdoor sculpture, photography, ceramics, glass, and works by women artists.
As a part of the Auburn University, JCSM embodies the commitment and dedication the University has to advancing the arts in our daily lives through campus and community education and engagement opportunities for university and K-12 students, lifelong learners, and residents of Alabama. JCSM welcomes more than 30,000 visitors each year with more than 5,000 participants in small group tours and maintains a strong and active annual membership base.
JCSM received accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in 2013 and is the only AAM accredited university museum in the state of Alabama. The museum is also an active member in the Association of American Museum Directors.
About Auburn University
Auburn University is one of the nation’s premier land-grant institutions, and in 2018 it was ranked 46th among public universities by U.S. News and World Report. Auburn maintains high levels of research activity and high standards for teaching excellence. Its 2017-18 enrollment of 29,776 students includes 23,964 undergraduates and 5,812 graduate and professional students. Organized into fifteen academic colleges and schools, Auburn’s 1,330 faculty members oversee more than 140 majors (undergraduate, graduate, and professional). The University is nationally recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, a positive work environment, research, community and global outreach, and student engagement.
About Auburn, Alabama
Auburn residents enjoy a thriving community recognized as one of the “Best Small Towns in America,” with a moderate climate and easy access to major cities and outdoor recreational areas. Situated along the rapidly developing I-85 corridor between Atlanta, Georgia and Montgomery, Alabama; the combined Auburn-Opelika, Alabama-Columbus, Georgia statistical area has a population of over 500,000 with excellent public-school systems, outstanding recreation facilities, and a regional medical center.
Categories: Job Postings