The Speed Art Museum, Louisville, Kentucky, is pleased to announce that we are currently taking applications for a Curatorof European and American Painting and Sculpture. The Speed is committed to hiring talented individuals who share in the vision of discovering the joy and powerof great art. The successful candidate will display curiosity to learn, energy, confidentiality and the ability to work well with others in a team-centered approach that is the core of the work ethicat the Museum. The Speed is Kentucky’s largest art museum with a collection that spans 6,000 years ofhuman creativity. An independent museum located on the campus of the University of Louisville, the Speed is currently undergoing a multi-phase expansion and renovation that includes a new North Building, Art Park and a public piazza. The Speed Art Museum has repeatedly been voted Kentucky's best museum and is considered one of the top ten sites each Kentuckian should visit. The Speed honors its mission to bring great art to our communities through its distinguished collections and as the Commonwealth's number one venue for international art exhibitions.

Job Description

The Mary and Barry Bingham, Sr., Curator of European and American Painting and Sculpture is responsible for the preservation, documentation, acquisition, and exhibition of the Museum’s pre-World War II European and American painting and sculpture collection. Actively engages and cultivates collectors and donors to supportthe collection and related activities. Develops exhibitions and installations in the areas of European and American paintingand sculpture, manages project budgets, produces interpretive materials and publications, and works with other staff asa team to develop engaging programs.

Responsibilities/Duties

• Works as part of team of Curatorial, Registration, and Preparation staff.

• Supports Chief Curator in collaborating and communicating with Learning and Outreach, Development, Marketing and Communication, and other staff as part of larger Museum team.

• Develops, evaluates, and updates collections development plans for European and American painting and sculpture. Reviews collection for possible deaccessioning, seeking outside expertise as needed.

• Proposes specific additions to or deletions from the collection in accordancewith the Museum’s collections management policy.

• Conducts and supervises research on the collection and provides other departments with information as appropriate including cataloguing information for Registrars’ Office, collections and exhibition information for departments of Learning and Outreach, Marketing and Communications, and others, etc. Responsible for World War II-era provenance research on existing collection. Conducts provenance research on potential acquisitions with due diligence.

• Collaborates with Registrars and contract Conservators in ensuring the care and conservation of the collection of European and American painting and sculpture, including the identification of conservation priorities, monitoring conservation projects, and working with the Registrars and Preparators on the organization of collection storage and maintenance.

• Collaborates with Learning and Outreach staff in developing interpretive programs, events and publications.

• Works with Director and Museum staff to develop an exhibition program. Develops and supervises exhibitions in the area of European and American painting and sculpture (once per year at minimum). Supervises loan exhibitions of European andAmerican painting and sculpture.

• Plans and supervises installations of European and American painting and sculpture, in collaboration with Curatorialand other museum staff.

• Participates in donor cultivation, grant writing, and fund raising as appropriate and works with the Directors ofDevelopment and Marketing and Communications to help the Museum meet financial and audience goals.

• Develops and maintains national, international, and local contacts with collectors, dealers, prospective donors, community leaders, scholars and others involved with European and American painting and sculpture. Actively works withand cultivates patrons and collectors with particular interest in Kentucky and Kentucky-related painting and sculpture. Serves as guide to the art market for European and American sculpture for collectors in Louisville and elsewhere in the state.

• Serves as a resource for information on the European and American painting and sculpture collection and European and American painting and sculpture generally for various audiences: staff, museum members, fellow professionals volunteers and the general public through lectures, tours, public queries, etc.

• Authors museum-produced information relating to European and American painting and sculpture for various uses, including exhibition and collection catalogues and other print media; in-gallery interpretive materials; and digital content. Participates in editing museum-produced materials and content.

• Produces and disseminates research on the European and American painting and sculpture collection, areas related to strengths of the collection, and/or personal areas of expertise.

• Administers the Museum’s Charter Collectors patron group, working in collaboration with group chairperson. Organizes and schedules events and travel for the group throughout the year, working in communication with Development and Special Events staff. Oversees group’s acquisition program.

• Provides consultation on European and American painting and sculpture to the Director, Chief Curator, and Learning and Outreach staff.

• As required, shares curatorial responsibility for other collection areas without staff curators.

• Performs related work as required.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Supports and facilitates positive interaction with others by exhibiting: a strong, team-centered ethic, individual maturity, respect for others, a sense of humor, maintenance of confidential information, and an awareness of and sensitivity to cultural and other differences in our staff, board members, contributors, volunteers, and the public. Must be a self-starter, able to work with little supervision, show attention to detail, and possess excellent organizational skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work accurately and efficiently and keep track of numerous projects simultaneously. Willing to learn new skills, take initiative when asked, and offer suggestions for improvement. Presents a professional image in work attire and demeanor. Ability to function independently and be flexible for interruptions and changing priorities. Ability to work effectively with a collection that ranges from late Medieval through early twentieth century and includes Kentucky painting and sculpture. Familiarity with collections management systems, preferably The Museum System.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Art History with academic or professional specialization in European and/or American painting and sculpture. Background in nineteenth-centuryEuropean and/or American painting and sculpture preferred. Five years’ experience in museum settings with increasing responsibilities. Comfortable with digital technologies as used in the museum setting.

Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include vacation and personal time, employer paid health plan, dental plan, life insurance and 403(b) retirement savings plan

Interested candidates may apply at http://www.louisvilleworks.com/ and searching the Speed Art Museum.