Current Opportunities

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Curator leads a small and productive team toward the realization of exhibitions that embody fresh, original, and provocative viewpoints on emerging, established, and well-known artists, their practice, and their work.  As a critical member of MCA Denver’s senior team, a successful candidate provides leadership and direction for intellectual and interpretive exhibition strategies that both challenge and inspire, is a persuasive communicator – both verbally and in writing – is an outstanding researcher and a compelling ambassador of the museum.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Create, manage and direct the ongoing strategic direction and plan for the Curatorial Department.
2. Collaborate and coordinate with programming, development, experience and communications departments to ensure alignment of curatorial objectives with the goals of the museum.
3. Serve as an ambassador in the community by attending openings, lectures, conducting studio visits and connecting with other artists and arts administrators in the Front Range and around the world.
4. Identify, recruit, hire, train, manage, supervise and evaluate staff members to achieve goals of the department and museum.
5. Plan, develop, implement and manage approved budgets and allocation of resources for the department.
6. Plan and oversee installation activities. 
7. Oversee all aspects of exhibition-related publications including editorial and contractual responsibilities; conduct research and write exhibition labels, didactics and catalogues.  Contribute articles to scholarly and popular journals where appropriate.
8. Collaborate with the Director of Programming to develop complementary materials including artist talks, special programs, tours and events.
9. Foster ongoing collaborative relationships with artists for existing and future exhibitions.
10. Partner with Director of Development on grant and sponsorship and other fundraising proposals; secure works of art for annual art auction.
11. Cultivate relationships with museum donors, members, supporters and visitors.
12. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• MA in Art History or Theory, or extensive equivalent experience, PhD preferred.
• Minimum of seven years’ progressive experience in museum or commercial gallery environments.
• Minimum of three years’ experience leading and mentoring team of curatorial professionals.
• Demonstrated experience working with artistic commissions, large-scale group presentations, and scholarly monographic projects.
• Established critical voice via publication of catalogue essays, articles, and other publishing outlets .
• Applied knowledge of professional museum principals, practices, procedures, research tools and methodology.
• Exemplary written, verbal and listening communication skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and professionally to a wide range of audiences from visitor to donor to scholar.
• Demonstrated organizational planning, problem-solving and collaboration skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with diplomacy.
• Proficient computer skills in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. FileMaker, Database and additional software knowledge preferred.
• 10% - 15% overnight travel, occasional international travel for which a valid passport is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical demands:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to travel independently within museum office and spaces, and in the communities served. The position requires verbal and written conversation with others, sitting, moving throughout the museum, reaching, lifting/moving objects up to 15 pounds, and use of hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The position occasionally requires speaking for an extended period. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision.

For consideration, please submit cover letter and resume to jobs@mcadenver.org. Applicant deadline is Friday, January 17, 2020.

ABOUT MCA DENVER:

The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver (MCA Denver) explores the art and culture of our time through rotating exhibitions and public educational programs. Featuring international, national, and regional artists, MCA Denver exhibitions impact the field of contemporary art and enrich our community. Through dynamic adult and youth education programs and other creative events, the museum cultivates a culturally engaged community and a healthy, creative place of belonging for teens.
We believe we are paving a new path for a 21st century museum that is Both/And: We are both advancing the field of contemporary art and providing a platform for creative expression, in the broadest sense of the term. We present both world-class exhibitions and quirky events, serious lectures and epic parties. We are both sophisticated and unpretentious. By continually breaking conventions ourselves, we promote the values of risk-taking and newness in the hearts and minds of Denverites.
MCA Denver was founded in 1996 by philanthropist Sue Cannon and a group of committed volunteers and artists who responded to the community’s desire for a contemporary art museum in Denver. For seven years, MCA Denver occupied a renovated fish market in Sakura Square in lower downtown Denver. In 2003, Mark Falcone and Ellen Bruss, members of MCA Denver’s Board of Trustees, donated a gift of land in Denver’s Central Platte Valley in order to realize the organization’s goal of building a permanent home for contemporary art in Denver. In October 2007, MCA Denver opened its new, 27,000-square foot, environmentally sustainable facility in the Riverfront neighborhood of lower downtown Denver, designed by acclaimed architect David Adjaye. The building has five galleries on two floors as well as dedicated education spaces, a gift shop, an innovative art lending library, and a rooftop café.