Lead Curator

HISTORY COLORADO has a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and cultural competency, because of that, we are continuously seeking to recruit individuals who will enhance this diversity and ultimately the effectiveness of our organization.

We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. History Colorado and the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. 

The History Colorado Center is conveniently located in downtown Denver. In addition to a great location, we offer fantastic benefits including:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 10 paid holidays per year plus 12 hours of vacation and 6.66 hours of sick leave a month
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness – A borrower may qualify for forgiveness by making 120 on-time payments while employed full-time in public service, if they have certain kinds of federal loans in a qualifying repayment plan
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness Programs 
• Free ECO pass
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules and more.

History Colorado is hiring a Lead Curator to lead a team of 13 Curators, implement a new Collection Plan, and focus on proactive community partnerships and collaborations along with contemporary dialogue.  

History Colorado (HC) has been building and refining The Collection since 1879. The Collection is a tangible point of connection between the present and the past. It reflects who we are and what we value today, and records what will be of interest to Coloradans in the future. The value of The Collection lies in the powerful stories it holds, and in its potential for aiding public awareness and understanding of the state’s history through uses including: research, educational programming, exhibitions, loans, design inspiration, and community building. The Collection currently comprises approximately 225,000 artifacts, 1,000,000 photographs, and 9,000 linear feet of archival materials.  

The Collection holds countless stories centered on the idea that Colorado fits one or many of the following themes.

• Home (Domestic Life) 

• Innovative (Business and Industry)

• Many Voices (Community Life)

• Natural (Natural Realm and the Environment)

• Creative (Leisure and the Arts)

• Service (Government and the Military)

Our Curatorial staff experience and work reflect these themes and include staff in African American History and Cultural Heritage; Archives; Military History; Photographs; Serials; Business and Industry; LGBTQ History; Oral History; Hispano, Latino, and Chicano History and Culture; Art and Design; Clothing and Textiles; Indigenous Heritage and Culture; and Architecture.

Focused on building significantly more robust collections with diverse and contemporary perspectives, HC is seeking a dynamic museum professional with experience in curation, collaboration, and programs that elevate the understanding and appreciation of collections and the stories they can tell. This position is also responsible for interpretation methods, developing unique opportunities for scholarship, increased access to and engagement with collections, and the intellectual management/expertise for a part of the collection, ideally fitting within the themes mentioned above.

The successful candidate will be a forward-thinking and dynamic individual with a passion for history work and a belief in the power of collections and the stories they embody to engage people in making personal connections. A creative imagination, the ability to recognize and deal with sensitive issues and diverse cultures, and a willingness to step outside the traditional curatorial role are highly desirable. 

Major Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide leadership for a team of 13 Curatorial staff, with direct supervision of several staff

• Work with communities, including through community advisory groups, community engagement, collecting initiatives, exhibitions, online platforms, and public programs

  • Work to ensure collections are interpreted inclusively with multiple voices, focused on community authorship and perspectives, and prioritizing different ways of knowing

• Intellectually manage and process a part of the larger HC Collection, fitting with your area of expertise

  • Work to build a meaningful Collection through the pursuit of a purpose-driven acquisition and deaccession program tied to the Collection Plan

• Conduct original research and collaborative documentation projects–making the results available to the public through access and outreach initiatives, exhibitions, public programs, and publications

• Participate in the exhibit development process by serving on exhibit teams (helping develop content, drafting labels, writing articles, consulting on design decisions, developing, and participating in programs) 

• Serve as a curatorial resource for HC’s historic sites, structures, and nine museums across Colorado

• Assist with other projects as needed

Preferred Candidate Can Successfully Demonstrate:

• Considerable experience with community work, navigating cultural sensitivities, and co-authorship and co-creation

• Experience with large collections or high volumes of activity at a medium to large institution (or experience that is comparable)

• Proven ability in processing, preservation, and digitization of collections

• Experience working with donors, communities, and an acquisition process

• High levels of experience in project management, meeting deadlines, and flexible multi-tasking in a fast-paced and sometimes ever-changing environment

• Strong abilities to make decisions, be self-directing, show motivation, and work both independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively in a team environment

• Collaborative skills working with other staff, such as Collections Management or other Curators, on projects like improving physical and intellectual control of and access to collection resources

• Innovative and/or motivated approaches for collections programs, community or donor engagement, and providing access to collections

• Experience working with and managing volunteers, contractors, and interns

• Master’s degree in History, Anthropology, Art History, Museum Studies or other relevant graduate degree OR 3 years of relevant and practical full-time experience

• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressive curatorial experience supervising and leading other Curatorial staff as well as working with collections in a museum or other collecting institution with a public audience 

• Demonstrated knowledge of a Colorado/Western area of history appropriate to our collections, and a thorough understanding of museum ethics and best practices

• Good communication skills, both written and oral, including evidence of writing and presenting public programs for a variety of audiences

• Experience developing exhibits or exhibit content in a team environment including demonstrated knowledge and experience with serving as a content developer

• Experience with database systems used in museums

• Position requires periodic travel by car, van, or truck to storage facilities and museums throughout the state, typically for periods of less than one week in duration

If  you are interested in finding meaningful work in public service, we invite you to consider the State of Colorado.  To learn more about working for the State of Colorado and building a satisfying and rewarding career, visit Welcome to Your Future in Colorado.

A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Felony convictions or conviction of crimes of moral turpitude or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the Human Resources Unit with an official disposition of any charges.

ADAAA Accommodations: Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete the application. To request an accommodation, please contact Dany McCoy (303) 866-2136 or email Dany.Mccoy@state.co.us.

Salary : $5,883 - $6,500