Current Opportunities

Title: Assistant/Associate Curator of American Art

Curatorial Division

Type: Full Time, Exempt

Reports to: Director of Curatorial Affairs

Direct Reports: Curatorial Assistant, American Art

Salary: Assistant – up to $58,000 / Associate – up to $65,000

Purpose:

To assist in managing, developing and interpreting the Museum’s collection of American art and to develop an active program in this area, including acquisitions, exhibitions, and public programs.

The Worcester Art Museum seeks a dynamic, collaborative, and energetic Assistant/Associate Curator of American Art to oversee our renowned collection. At WAM, the Curator of American Art is responsible for the stewardship, interpretation, and expansion of our paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts created in the Americas. Currently, the strengths of the collection are in Colonial and Federal period US portraiture, paintings by Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent, and American Impressionists. Through recent acquisitions, WAM has also developed a small but important collection of 20th-century art by African American artists, which we hope to expand with available funding in the area of the art of the African diaspora. We encourage applications from candidates with a scholarly record and curatorial experience in at least one of the areas of our strengths.

At the Worcester Art Museum, we strongly value innovative approaches to interpretation and installation and strive to integrate works by artists from underrepresented populations and present a fuller narrative of American art history. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to influence the installation of our permanent collections galleries and pursue personal areas of scholarly interest in our exhibition programming.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Initiate and oversee programming in American art, including traveling exhibitions and long-term installations of the permanent collection, under the guidance of the Director of Curatorial Affairs
Steward the Museum’s collection of American art working in collaboration with Conservation
Seek out, research, and recommend new acquisitions, both purchases and gifts with an eye to infuse greater diversity into our collection of American art; advise on deaccessioning; build relationships with collectors, under the guidance of the Director of Curatorial Affairs
Create opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations with the area’s cultural and educational institutions
Conduct research, document and publish the Museum’s holdings and assist outside scholars
Promote the Museum’s collection through lectures, seminars, etc.
Advise on loan requests to other institutions
Identify funding opportunities in concert with Development; assist in preparing grant applications and funding proposals for projects; cultivate relationships between the Museum, donors, and collectors
Prepare and monitor budgets
Supervise fellows, interns, and volunteers as assigned
Collaborate with Education and Experience and curatorial colleagues on the interpretation and presentation of the collections for a diverse public
Represent the museum to various public constituencies in the region
Develop a strong and effective network of curators and other scholars in the field
Serve on various internal committees to further the Museum’s efforts and effectiveness
Perform other related duties as assigned

Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:

A broad knowledge of art history with expertise in American art and cultural history
Excellent research, written and oral communication skills
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
Ability to collaborate respectfully and effectively with colleagues
Experience with museum databases and technology
Excellent negotiation, resource management, and people skills
Availability to represent the Museum at public events at after-hours events
Availability to travel
Embraces and promotes diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion initiatives

EDUCATION:

Advanced degree in art history or American studies with proven experience in the field of art history

Competency in languages in area of specialization

Preference will be given to candidates with broad knowledge of and interest in art making in the Americas, including North, South, and Central America, and the Caribbean.

EXPERIENCE:

At the assistant curator level, 2-4 years curatorial experience with a PhD in a related field; 4-7 years curatorial experience with an MA.

At the associate curator level, 3-5 years of experience with a PhD in a related field; 5-8 years of curatorial experience with an MA.