Job Title:  Senior Curator
Department: Curatorial
Classification:  Exempt
Reports to:  Executive Director
Supervises:  Curator (open), Sr. Registrar, Exhibitions Coordinator
Date:               2024

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Kemper’s Senior Curator helps to conceptualize and realize the Museum’s exhibition program, accompanying publications, and oversees the care of the museum’s collection. This leadership position helps shape the Museum’s curatorial vision and philosophy, participates in collaborative projects and public programming, fundraising, and in cultivating relationships with peer institutions and community partners.

Key Responsibilities

• In consultation with the Executive Director, develop and implement strategies to manage existing exhibition calendar and develop future exhibition content based on both the permanent collection and works of art borrowed for special exhibitions. Work with the Executive Director on the exhibition schedule.
• Oversee permanent collection, develop and execute strategy for collection growth.
• Liaise with members of Kemper’s Board of Trustees, patron and governance community, curators, collectors, and members of the public on behalf of the Kemper Museum.
• Be a visible community representative for the Kemper Museum both with and beyond the Kansas City metropolitan region.
• Oversee Exhibitions and Collections team to help ensure best practices in collection care, installation, acquisitions, and all aspects of public presentation.
• Identify, develop, and oversee production of written support materials for exhibitions, including catalogues, gallery guides, didactic materials and others as needed.
• Develop and manage budgets in areas of responsibility to ensure responsible control over resource utilization.
• In partnership with Learning and Interpretation colleagues, develop, implement, and participate in public programs related to the Kemper Museum’s permanent collection and special exhibitions that might include: lectures, gallery talks, panel discussions, adult workshops, artist-in-residence programs, performances, adult outreach programs, partnerships/collaborations, and film series.
• Represent the Museum to members of the media (in consultation with the Director and the Director of Marketing and Communications) to promote exhibitions, the permanent collection, and special projects on an as-needed basis.
• Participate in collaborative efforts with other institutions as needed and represent the Kemper Museum in a positive, congenial, and inclusive way.
• Participate when necessary in Museum trips and in the Museum’s on-going efforts to engage and support art collectors (the Kemper Museum’s Collectors Forum).

Key Competencies

Leadership: Exhibits confidence in self and others, inspires and motivates others to perform well, effectively influences actions and opinions of others, inspires respect and trust, accepts feedback from others, provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates, gives appropriate recognition to others, displays passion and optimism, mobilizes others to fulfill the vision.

Management:

Effective management of Curatorial and Exhibitions departments including developing strong and collegial relationships with managers, provides clear delineation of work flow and expectations, demonstrates direction and diplomacy, and cultivates a respectful work environment.

Oral/Written Communication:

Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, listens and gets clarification, responds well to questions, demonstrates group presentation skills, participates in meetings. Writes clearly and informatively, edits work for spelling and grammar, varies writing style to meet needs.

Innovation:

Displays original thinking and creativity, meets challenges with resourcefulness, generates suggestions for improving work, develops innovative approaches and ideas, presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

Professionalism:

Approaches others in a tactful manner, reacts well under pressure, treats others with respect and consideration, accepts responsibility for own actions, follows through on commitments. Consistently demonstrates high level of integrity.

Project Management:

Develops project plans, coordinates projects, communicates changes and progress, completes projects on time and budget, manages project team activities.

Job Specifications

• Advanced degree in art history, museum studies, or fine arts is required with a minimum of five years’ experience.
• Established reputation and relationships within the contemporary art community.
• Ability to build bridges between the Museum and the many constituencies the Museum serves.
• Experience overseeing the production of publications.
• Experience working with a permanent collection.
• Thorough knowledge of curatorial principles, practices, and ethical standards are mandatory.
• Demonstrated history of successful exhibitions and publications, and excellent writing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• A collegial management style that promotes teamwork, creativity, and open communication is essential.
• Experience setting budgets and demonstrated fiscal responsibility.

Resumes and cover letters can be emailed to employment@kemperart.org

Salary range
$75,000-90,000