Curator, Fairfield Museum and History Center

http://www.fairfieldhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/Curator4-12.pdf

Position Title: Curator
Reports To: Executive Director
FLSA Status: Full time, salaried, Exempt
Hours: 35 hours / week. Some evening and weekend hours required
Function: The Curator is responsible for the planning and implementation of
the
Fairfield Museum¹s exhibitions and collections management functions.

Position Responsibilities:

Exhibitions and Programs: Develop, implement and manage in
collaboration with museum staff
a regular advance schedule of exhibitions. Design and install
exhibitions when necessary and
direct contract staff in exhibit design and fabrication.
o Oversee the advance scheduling, planning and design of all museum
exhibitions
o Conduct research and prepare content with museum staff and/or outside
curators
o Supervise guest curators, designers and exhibition fabricators;
administer contracts,
schedules and budgets
o Train volunteer docents in presenting exhibition tours; conduct
tours as necessary
o Work with the Museum¹s education staff to develop effective
exhibit-related
programming
Collections Management: Work closely with the Library Director to
develop, refine and manage
the Museum¹s collection.
o Maintain all registration records to professional standards
o Make recommendations for acquisitions and deaccessions
o Oversee proper storage and care of museum collections
o Oversee the intellectual framework for collections development
o Manage necessary conservation assessments and supervise contract
conservators
o Keep up to date on professional standards for collection care and
management

Outreach: Initiate and contribute to interpretive collaborations with
community organizations,
affinity groups, schools and other constituents. Represent the
Fairfield Museum in the
community and act as a public spokesman for the institution when
appropriate.

Teamwork: Work closely with the executive director, museum staff and
Board committees to
develop and implement the exhibition schedule, and direct the museum¹s
curatorial functions.

Expertise: Maintain a high level of expertise in museum
interpretation, including a thorough
understanding of relevant professional, ethical and legal issues; as
well as a strong understanding
of regional history and culture.

Evaluation: Design and oversee exhibition assessments that drive
program innovation, quality
and adaptability.

Development: Assist in grant writing and sponsorship development that
support and promote
museum exhibitions and programs.

Performs other activities as required.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate will bring:
1. Broad, hands-on experience in creating, leading and evaluating
creative and successful
museum exhibitions.
2. A dynamic and collaborative working style that encourages
collaboration, active learning and
community engagement.
3. Knowledge and experience with collections management, storage and
collections registration
standards.
4. Academic background in American History, American Studies or
related discipline.
5. Highly developed skills in communication (verbal and written),
organization and
management, as well as a dynamic and outgoing personality.
6. Experience with budgeting and contract administration.
7. A successful track record in building community collaborations and
leading volunteers
8. Ability to be entrepreneurial, innovative, adaptive and creative.
9. BA / BS required, MA preferred, with 3 or more years experience in
history museums, public
programming, exhibitions or related fields.

Position Status:
Full-time, year-round position with competitive salary. Benefits
package includes group health
insurance (100% of individual premiums paid by employer), $15,000 term
life insurance and shortterm
disability; paid vacation, holiday and sick leave; and
employer-sponsored 401k retirement plan.

About the Fairfield Museum and History Center
The Fairfield Museum and History Center provides visitors of all ages
with a wide array of
educational programs, exhibitions and special events that teach
regional history, celebrate our shared
culture, and prepare students and adults to be better informed
citizens and more active participants in
their community. We believe in the power of history to inspire the
imagination, stimulate thought and
transform society.
The Fairfield Museum creates experiences that make history personal,
engaging and meaningful and
in so doing strengthen people¹s connection to the world around them.
The museum¹s collection and
archive are one of the most important humanities resources in
southwestern Connecticut and a
valuable resource for teaching history and related disciplines. Museum
exhibits attracted more than
18,000 visitors in 2011 from New York to New Haven, and our
educational programs served more
than 5,000 students from Fairfield and nearby communities.
Education is central to the core of FMHC’s mission. We have a proven
track record of providing
programs for regional schools that supplement state curriculum
mandates for Social Studies and
History. We are committed to providing educational experiences,
particularly to lower income
constituencies that allow all students the opportunity to participate.
The number of students enrolled
in museum programs has increased 70% over last year and have nearly
tripled since 2007.
The Fairfield Museum serves as an important venue for community
involvement and dialog through
relevant exhibitions, speaker forums and events. Since opening its new
facility in 2007, the Fairfield
Museum has become a focus of civic pride, a regionally prominent
center for the study of arts and
humanities, and a museum of state-wide renown.