Museum Curator - Higher Ed. jobs in Richardson, TX

Description

Reports to: The Cecil and Ida Green Curator of Asian Art 

Department: Curatorial Department, Curatorial and Research Division 

Classification: Exempt, Full-time, M-F, 9am to 5pm  

Benefits: Full Museum Benefits  

Level and Salary: Commensurate with experience  

Mission: The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive.  

The DMA will:  

• Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate.  
• Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art.  
• Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity.  

About the Dallas Museum of Art   

Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country and is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation, and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses more than 26,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. Located in the heart of the nation’s largest arts district, the Museum welcomes some 500,000 visitors annually and acts as a catalyst for community creativity, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming, from exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events, and dramatic and dance presentations. In January 2013, the DMA returned to free general admission. For more information, visit DMA.org. The Dallas Museum of Art is supported, in part, by the generosity of Museum Partners and donors and by the citizens of Dallas through the City of Dallas/Office of Cultural Affairs and the Texas Commission on the Arts.   

Requirements

Desired Qualifications:  

The Dallas Museum of Art seeks a promising and dynamic scholar in the field of art history to become the inaugural Allen and Kelli Questrom Assistant/Associate/Curator of Prints and Drawings. This new position was established in 2019 through a group of visionary gifts to the Museum: a gift from the estate of DMA trustee and former curator William B. Jordan and his husband Robert Dean Brownlee, which provided significant funds to establish the William B. Jordan and Robert Dean Brownlee Endowment to support operations and programming related to the DMA’s global prints and drawings collection, including research, conservation, collections care, and additional staffing; the creation of a new, endowed curatorial position, The Allen and Kelli Questrom Assistant/Associate/Curator of Prints and Drawings, made possible through an extraordinary $3 million bequest to the Museum by Allen and Kelli Questrom; and Jordan’s and Brownlee’s donation of nearly 80 works to the Museum, including 58 works on paper. 

We look to hire a team-oriented colleague who will promote, interpret, build, and care for all aspects of the prints and drawings collection, which encompasses works from all collecting areas of the institution with strengths in European, North American, and Asian works from the 15th century to today. The Assistant/Associate/Curator of Prints and Drawings will be an active participant in executing the Museum’s Strategic Plan, including diversifying and reinterpreting the collection through strategic acquisitions, gallery installations, exhibition development, publications, presentations, and audience engagement.   

Candidates should demonstrate excellent research, writing, and speaking skills, as well as the ability to manage complex projects effectively and to attract and deepen relationships with donors, supporters, and art world professionals. They should demonstrate a breadth of knowledge, connoisseurship, and experience in their specialty, as well as a willingness to gain new expertise. Candidates should be committed to exploring the changing nature of art museums and their relationship to diverse audiences.   

Scope of Position:  

The position of The Allen and Kelli Questrom Assistant/Associate/Curator of Prints and Drawings is responsible for directing the exhibitions, programs, and material resources of the prints and drawings collection, comprised of almost 6,000 works. Working in partnership with the Curatorial; Conservation; Education; Collections, Exhibitions, and Interpretation; Experience; and Development departments, The Allen and Kelli Questrom Assistant/Associate/Curator of Prints and Drawings will support the mission and artistic program of the Dallas Museum of Art and will serve as an advocate of the Museum locally, nationally, and internationally with a high degree of integrity and professionalism.  

Essential Functions:  

• Actively directs acquisitions, exhibitions, research, interpretation, and publications related to the prints and drawings collection.  
• Under the direction of the Chief Curatorial and Research Officer and supervision of The Cecil and Ida Green Curator of Asian Art, stewards The William B. Jordan and Robert Dean Brownlee Endowment fund to support programming, research, additional staffing, and ongoing operations in support of the prints and drawings collection. 
• Develops major exhibitions with publications that tour nationally and internationally; conducts research and exhibition preparation; drafts didactic and promotional materials; and ensures that projects are of the highest quality and are managed within project budgets and timelines.  
• Develop the Collection Plan for the prints and drawings collection that will guide the acquisition program and inform gallery planning. 
• Conceives and executes installation plans for the DMA’s prints and drawings collection, including creation of interpretative resources.  
• Propose acquisitions for the department with a goal to enhance and deepen the range and quality of the prints and drawings collection through purchases and gifts. Acquisitions must represent the highest standards of connoisseurship and be acquired in accordance with the policies and procedures of the DMA and national and international laws.  
• Conducts research and documents the DMA’s prints and drawings collection in both physical and digital archives and databases, ensuring the museum’s collection database (TMS) is accurate and relevant.  
• Authors and edits publications, including exhibition and collection catalogues, of the highest scholarly standards and international significance.  
• Collaborates with the Conservation department on the treatment and preservation program for prints and drawings in the collection. 
• Develops and maintains advantageous relationships with the community of collectors, trustees, artists, dealers, museum colleagues, professional organizations, and friends of the Museum to enhance the DMA’s position and relevance locally, nationally, and internationally.  
• Encourages the development and cultivation of private collections within the Dallas community with the goal of enhancing the Museum's holdings by partial, promised, and outright gifts of art.  
• Plays an active role within the Curatorial and Research Division by participating on interdivisional teams to further the goals and programs of the Museum.  
• Collaborates with the Education and Collections, Exhibitions, and Interpretation Departments to develop and present resources and programs relating to the interpretation of the collections and special exhibitions for the public, including gallery texts, publications, lectures, electronic media, and docent training, and to assure communication and completion of institutional projects within defined budgets and timelines. 
• Assists with fundraising and public relations efforts to support and promote departmental and Museum activities through intensive collaboration with the Development department and specific support groups.  
• Actively works with the Marketing and Communications department in press relations and public appearances, as well as on a variety of media, both broadcast and print.  
• Supports key institutional initiatives.  
• Conforms to the AAMD code of ethics governing the art museum profession.  
• Continues professional development, including research and publication, lectures, symposia, and participation in museum and arts organizations.  
• Adheres to Museum policies and supports management decisions in a positive, professional manner.  

Education, Experience, and Certification  

• MA in Art History; PhD preferred  
• Requirements for Curatorial Levels:  
• Assistant Curator: 1-3 years of curatorial experience working in a museum or equivalent, specifically in the area of prints and drawings  
• Associate Curator: 3-5 years of curatorial experience working in a museum with an impressive record of achievement specifically in the area of prints and drawings  
• Curator: 5 years curatorial experience working in a museum with significant exhibitions, acquisitions, and publications, specifically in the area of prints and drawings,  
• Reading proficiency in language(s) related to area of expertise 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Proven record of organizing exhibitions  
• History of scholarly publications including exhibition catalogues and essays  
• Ability to work collaboratively on projects with internal and external teams  
• Ability and initiative to troubleshoot and solve problems  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 

Our Core Values  

• Act with Integrity: Be open, honest, and ethical.    
• Communicate Openly: Be constructive, transparent, and respectful.    
• Build Inclusivity: Diverse backgrounds make us stronger.    
• Join Forces: Support collaboration and unity.    
• Work Passionately: Be fearless, creative, and solutions driven.    
• Embrace and Drive Change: Be nimble, there is always a way to yes.    
• Invest in Each Other: Pursue learning.    

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy 

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally.    

Equity  

Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all.    

Diversity  

Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity.    

Inclusion  

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture.    

EOE  

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.