Newfields, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, seeks a dynamic and collaborative Curator of European Art to serve as a vital member of its curatorial team, providing vision, strategic direction, and stewardship for the Museum’s nationally recognized European Art collection. This position will work closely with the Director of the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) and colleagues across the institution to oversee the interpretation, care, and strategic development of Newfields’ distinguished European collection. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to shape the interpretation, exhibitions, and acquisitions strategy of a collection of remarkable depth and quality during a dynamic period of renewal and institutional growth at Newfields. This is both a strategic and hands-on role, requiring a blend of scholarly excellence, collaborative leadership, and a deep passion for making European art accessible and meaningful to diverse audiences.

About Newfields

Newfields is a distinctive cultural campus where art, nature, and people come together. Located on 152 acres in the Crown Hill neighborhood of Indianapolis, Newfields is home to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Gardens, the historic Lilly House, The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, and the Miller House in Columbus, IN. Newfields provides exceptional experiences with art and nature that enrich lives and build community, offering a dynamic year-round calendar of exhibitions, festivals, performances, and public programs. The institution has an annual operating budget of nearly $40 million and welcomes over 650,000 visitors each year.

The Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields (IMA) is one of the oldest and largest encyclopedic art museums in the United States, nationally significant for its historic legacy, the quality and breadth of its collections, and its innovative blending of art, architecture, and landscape. Founded in 1883, the Museum has grown into a leading cultural institution with a global reach.

Newfields’ expansive and diverse collection encompasses more than 40,000 works, spanning 4,000 years and a broad spectrum of cultures and media. The European art collection, a significant holding in the United States, comprises approximately 1,000 works from the medieval period through the early 20th century. It is particularly strong in Italian Renaissance and Baroque painting, 17th-century Dutch and Flemish works, and Post-Impressionist art, featuring masterpieces by Rembrandt van Rijn, Vincent van Gogh, El Greco, Claude Monet, George Seurat, and Paul Gauguin, alongside a remarkable array of religious sculpture.

The museum’s early modern collection is anchored by the Clowes Collection, well-documented in an online catalog and housed in a suite of dedicated galleries. Related collections include Sèvres porcelain, period furniture, and over 50 works comprising one of the most important collections of J.M.W. Turner watercolors outside the United Kingdom. Newfields’ European holdings are frequently cited in scholarly publications and loaned for major exhibitions nationally and internationally.

In recent years, Newfields has reinvigorated its European art program through ambitious exhibitions and expanded interpretation. Highlights include Rembrandt to Monet: 500 Years of European Painting, showcasing the breadth of the Clowes and IMA collections, and the complete redesign and reinstallation of its European galleries.  Newfields is currently presenting Käthe Kollwitz: Visions of Solidarity and Resilience, a powerful exhibition of expressionist prints confronting themes of war, loss, and empathy. The department actively engages in provenance research, digital access initiatives, conservation and conservation science projects, and other efforts to bring global and inclusive perspectives to the interpretation of European art.

Newfields is actively engaged in reimagining its role as a civic and cultural institution, launching bold initiatives to expand community engagement, deepen its commitment to inclusion, and explore the intersections of art and the environment. The Museum presents approximately ten to fifteen exhibitions each year, ranging from community gallery programs to major traveling shows to original exhibitions organized by its curators. Curators at Newfields benefit from a dedicated team of registrars, conservators, exhibition specialists, educators, and scholars, as well as access to outstanding collections and facilities, fostering rich opportunities to advance scholarship, organize ambitious exhibitions, and shape the narratives that define the institution’s relationship with its diverse audiences.

The European art galleries, including the Clowes Pavilion, offer dynamic settings for historic appreciation and contemporary dialogue.  The Clowes Pavilion celebrates the eponymous collection, integrating art from other collections to highlight our shared humanity. Collected by local philanthropist, George Henry Alexander Clowes, Sr. and his wife Edith, these artworks include some of the museum's most treasured pieces, particularly strong in Dutch, Italian, and Spanish art. Masterpieces from the Clowes Collection: Paintings, a digital publication that brings together the latest insights from art historians from around the world and Newfields conservators, featuring in-depth entries and technical analyses of paintings from the Clowes Collection.

The Opportunity

The Curator of European Art will join Newfields at a pivotal moment of institutional renewal and curatorial reinvention. As the Museum reimagines its exhibitions, public programs, and interpretive strategies, this role offers a unique chance to shape the future of a significant European art collection within a forward-thinking and collaborative environment. Key opportunities include:

• Strategic Leadership: Contribute leadership to the reimagining and strategic planning of the Museum’s curatorial department.
• Gallery Transformation: Lead the deinstallation and reinstallation of permanent collection galleries as they undergo renovation, with a strong focus on inclusive storytelling, accessibility, and impact.
• Collection Visibility: Create and implement strategies to rotate works from the permanent collection, increasing visibility and public access.
• Collection Development: Build the collection through thoughtful and strategic acquisitions that fill historical and thematic gaps, particularly with regards to the Clowes Collection.
• Exhibition Excellence: Organize and curate exhibitions that showcase Newfields’ world-class collection while balancing scholarly rigor and broad audience appeal.

Responsibilities and Expectations

The Curator of European Art will collaborate with the Director of the IMA and others to oversee the interpretation, care, and development of Newfields’ distinguished European collection. This role is both strategic and hands-on, requiring a balance of scholarly expertise, collaborative leadership, and a passion for engaging diverse audiences with European art. Working across departments, the Curator will contribute to exhibition planning, acquisitions, interpretation, public programs, and fundraising in support of Newfields’ mission and vision. Among other responsibilities, they will:

•       Lead Newfields efforts to create engaging experiences in the European Art galleries, including innovative interpretation and dynamic object rotation.

•       Serve as a curatorial lead in gallery reinstallations and long-range planning for the European Art collection.

•       Build meaningful relationships with collectors and assist Newfields in creating pathways for donor engagement, grant writing, and fundraising. 

•       Lead and collaborate on special exhibitions and traveling shows, from concept through implementation, ensuring scholarly depth and audience relevance.

•       Manage loans to and from the collection, ensuring adherence to conservation standards and best practices regarding curatorial oversight

•       Co-manage a Curatorial Assistant, whose role is to facilitate rotations, loans, and supports research.

•       Conduct original research on the European collection; publish scholarship and oversee provenance research.

•       Recommend acquisitions that strategically strengthen and diversify the collection, identifying crucial gaps and new directions.

•       Represent Newfields at professional conferences, symposia, and within national and international networks, fostering scholarly exchange and collaboration.

•       Present gallery talks, lectures, and training for docents and staff; actively engage with a broad range of audiences to make art accessible and relevant.

•       Actively collaborate with cross-institutional teams as required to achieve shared goals.

•       Engage the public readily, supporting and embodying Newfields’ commitment to inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of curatorial work.

•       Propose and develop public programs and educational initiatives that promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of European art for diverse audiences.

•       Collaborate with the conservation department on the care, preservation, and study of the European art collection.

•       Contribute to the ongoing digitization and online accessibility of the European art collection.

Inclusive Curation of European Art at Newfields

At Newfields, the curation of European art is a dynamic and evolving practice dedicated to fostering a rich, multi-faceted understanding of this significant historical period. We believe that art is a powerful lens through which to explore shared human experiences, and our approach to European art reflects a commitment to inclusive storytelling and broad accessibility.

Instead of solely focusing on traditional narratives, we actively seek perspectives and illuminate the diverse voices, identities, and histories that shaped European art. This includes:

Expanding the Canon: Including exploring artists whose contributions have historically been overlooked. Demonstrating how historical European art remains relevant to contemporary issues and dialogues, fostering connections between past and present.

Intersectional Interpretation: Exploring the complex interplay of factors such as gender, class, religion, ethnicity, and geography in the creation and reception of European art. This means looking at economic and social structures influenced artistic production and patronage.

Global Connections: Recognizing that European art did not develop in isolation. We emphasize the interconnectedness of cultures, exploring the influence of global trade, exploration, and exchange on European artistic traditions.

Multilingual and Multi-sensory Engagement: Providing interpretation that goes beyond traditional wall texts, incorporating diverse voices, digital resources, and multi-sensory experiences to ensure our galleries are accessible and engaging for all visitors, regardless of background or learning style.

By embracing these practices, Newfields aims to create an inviting and intellectually stimulating environment where the European art collection serves as a catalyst for critical thinking, empathy, and shared understanding, reflecting our commitment to being a truly inclusive cultural institution for the 21st century.

Experience, Skills, and Attributes

•       Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Art History with a focus on European Art or relevant specialization; knowledge of Decorative Arts is a plus.

•       Minimum five years as a full or senior curator in a museum or comparable setting required.

•       Proven record of original research, publication, and engaging exhibition development.

•       Demonstrated commitment to inclusive storytelling and to expanding the canon of European art history.

•       Experience developing and stewarding acquisitions and working with collectors, donors, and artists.

•       Proven ability to manage complex projects, including gallery reinstallations and cross-departmental initiatives, from concept to completion.

•       Strong communication skills; comfortable engaging with diverse audiences and representing the institution in public forums.

•       Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively within a team environment while also exercising independent judgment.

•       Experience cultivating funding opportunities, including writing grants and supporting development efforts.

•       Thorough knowledge of museum best practices, including collections stewardship, provenance, and ethical guidelines.

•       Enthusiasm for engaging with the public and creating welcoming museum experiences for all.

Compensation

The salary range is $90,000 - $115,000 commensurate with experience, plus an attractive benefits package.

Diversity Commitment

Celebrating the diversity of our donors, guests, volunteers, and staff is a key part of this Newfields vision. Diversity is understanding, respecting, and valuing differences. Simply put, we believe our guests and donors are best served by a team, comprised of both staff and volunteers, that reflects the diversity represented within our communities and that leverages and listens to the unique viewpoints, talents, and experiences of each person who works here. We strive to attract and retain exceptional employees who feel comfortable in an inclusive culture that supports their ability to thrive and adds their voice to the ongoing conversation.

How to Apply

To apply in confidence, submit application by July 18, 2025, to: Dan Yaeger, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference, via SearchandRef@museum-search.com. Please make sure to write down the Curatorial position you are interested in.

Please include:

1)    A cover letter expressing interest in the position and giving brief examples of past related experience.

2)    A résumé.

3)    The names and contact information for three professional references, indicating their relationship with the candidate.

A portfolio of work in PDF format will be required on request from candidates who advance in the search, including photos of relevant exhibitions managed plus samples of exhibition text and scholarly writing.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. All applications and nominations are kept confidential; we will not contact references without your permission. Nominations are welcome. For more details, visit: www.museum-search.com/open-searches.

We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this position.