Organization Information

Since its establishment in 1941, the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art has grown from a small university teaching collection into one of the most significant university art collections in the United States. A preeminent teaching museum on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington, its internationally acclaimed collection includes more than 45,000 objects representing nearly every art-producing culture throughout history from around the world. In 2019, the Eskenazi Museum of Art completed a $30 million renovation of its acclaimed I. M. Pei–designed building, and is an enhanced teaching resource for Indiana University and southern Indiana.

The museum seeks a thoughtful and passionate individual who will serve as the Lucienne M. Glaubinger Curator of Works on Paper. The successful candidate will oversee an encyclopedic collection of more than 24,000 prints, drawings, and photographs. The collection comprises about 11,000 prints and drawings and 13,000 photographs. The Curator will manage the Martha and David Moore Prints, Drawings, and Photographs Study Room, a dedicated space for viewing and research.

The works on paper collection features works from around the globe and ranges from the fifteenth century to the present, offering an unparalleled resource for students, scholars, and surrounding communities. Recent acquisitions have focused on contemporary art, and the museum has added works by McArthur Binion, Ellen Carey, Nicole Eisenman, Julie Mehretu, Zaneli Muholi, Wangechi Mutu, Wendy Red Star, and Mickalene Thomas.

The Curator will be a scholar of the highest order who possesses the ambition and skills to create and execute a robust program to research, exhibit, and publish the museum’s collection and develop engaging special exhibitions. The curator will lead department acquisitions, both donations and purchases, and will work closely with curatorial colleagues on the collection’s development. The successful candidate should possess an MA and preferably a PhD.

The Curator of Works on Paper will collaborate with museum colleagues to support the mission and strategic plan. The individual will work closely with IU faculty and students and establish productive relationships with departments and organizations across the university, such as IU’s Center for Integrative Photographic Studies, the Kinsey Institute for Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, the Media School, the Lilly Rare Book Library, and the School of Art, Architecture, and Design.

Major Job Responsibilities

• Works closely with the director of curatorial affairs and the museum’s director to develop an exciting vision and strategy for an ambitious research, exhibition, and publication program for works on paper.
• In collaboration with the museum’s education and registrar departments, develops a comprehensive plan for activating the Prints, Drawings, and Photographs Study Room and encourages and facilitates the use of works on paper in teaching among university faculty and students.
• Performs research on the collection, including provenance research.
• Develops and coordinates exhibitions and displays.
• Produces catalogues, website material, interpretative materials for exhibitions, and other museum publications as necessary.
• Proposes acquisitions and assesses offers of donations of works of art.
• Works closely with registrar and installation teams to ensure proper storage, handling, and conservation of works on paper.
• Collaborates with education staff on programs and presentations.
• Actively engages with the university community with activities such as lectures, workshops, lecture and panel organization, mentorship of students, and committee membership.
• In collaboration with the development department and other university offices, contributes to fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation and grant applications and management.
• Must build positive and effective relationships with museum colleagues, donors, and the broader IU and Bloomington communities.
• Develops national and international networks of museum peers, artists, and dealers.
• Maintains a strong and active record of original research, scholarship, and public speaking.
• Keeps up with developments in curatorial practices and methodology and adheres to the highest professional ethics and standards within the museum field.

Basic Qualifications and Requirements

• Master’s degree in art history or related field; ABD or PhD preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience in a museum or comparable institution.
• Breadth of knowledge in the field, including collections care and provenance research, as well as a willingness to gain expertise in new areas.
• Proven record of research and curatorial achievement in specific field of interest.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to and leading exhibitions, programs, and projects, including those developed in collaboration with other institutions, scholars, artists, and community leaders.
• Ability to collaborate with others—museum staff, donors, university faculty, and students—to achieve institutional goals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Additional Information

• Salary range: $60,000-70,000/year
• Work location: Eskenazi Museum of Art, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
• Museum website: https://artmuseum.indiana.edu/
• This is a full-time position
• Expected start date: November 4, 2024 or later

To Apply and for More Information
Interested candidates should review the application requirements and submit their application at https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/24761. For best consideration, please apply by August 19, 2024; applications received after this date may be considered. Questions regarding the position may be directed to Danielle Johnson, PhD, Director of Curatorial Affairs, dj87@iu.edu.

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX.