Posted September 9, 2014

he Rockwell Museum in Corning, New York, founded in 1976, is seeking a Curator/Curator of Collections. The Museum recently committed to expanding its interpretation and programming to situate its collections within the greater context of American art. The Curator/Curator of Collections (“Curator”) will play a pivotal role in shaping and implementing this expanded focus.

POSITION

The Curator reports to the Executive Director and is a member of the Executive Director’s management team. The Curator’s primary responsibilities are to provide leadership, vision and creativity for the Museum’s continued curatorial excellence, make recommendations for acquisitions, represent the Museum at professional meetings and take an active role in cultivating donors for acquisition funds and gifts of art.

Ongoing Responsibilities

  • Develops, implements and oversees permanent, temporary and traveling exhibitions. Creates and coordinates exhibition budgets, marketing and fundraising plans in collaboration with appropriate staff; develops and implements special exhibitions; recommends acquisitions of art and material such as books, periodicals and photographs pertaining to the collections.
  • Pursues research activities pertaining to the core collections and stays abreast of current scholarship in the field; undertakes research to catalogue and document the Museum’s collections; lectures at symposia and to other museum groups.
  • Writes catalogues, articles and other materials for the Museum and outside publications; responds to inquiries from scholars and the public about the collections.
  • Takes a proactive approach to becoming an integral and visible part of the local and regional community.

THE MUSEUM

The Rockwell Museum opened in 1976 and was renovated “down to the studs” in 2000, creating a state-of-the-art facility for the 2,000-work. Highlights include masterworks by Albert Bierstadt, Alfred Jacob Miller, Thomas Hill, Thomas Moran and George Catlin. Frederic Remington and Charles Marion Russell are represented by both sculpture and paintings. Works on paper range from Karl Bodmer to Andy Warhol. In addition to painting, sculpture, drawings and prints and photographs, the collection includes illustration, decorative arts, ethnographic material, early firearms and western-themed toys. There are over 800 objects in a study collection used mainly by the Education Department.

The Museum is accredited by American Alliance of Museums. It operates with an annual budget of $1.5 million, sixteen members of the Board and a staff of fifteen.

Job Requirements

At least 5 years of curatorial and collections experience in an art museum and a Master’s degree in art history or a related field are required. In-depth knowledge of American art is desirable. S/he will also have:

  • Outstanding verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills; ability to speak to diverse groups of all sizes and to represent the Museum in a professional manner
  • Excellent supervisory and collaborative skills; demonstrated ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, as well as work successfully as part of a team
  • The personality to enjoy social and community interaction; ability to cultivate important collectors and tactfully solicit gifts for the collection
  • Ability to plan strategically and long-range for the exhibition schedule
  • Passion for art and the curatorial process; appreciation of the interrelatedness of art and education
  • High energy, strong motivation and a hands-on work ethic

LOCATION

Corning is an historic and artistic city in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. Most famous for its glassmaking past and present, Corning welcomes more than half a million people every year from all over the world.

The cities of Rochester and Syracuse, both about 100 miles away, are both important academic centers with thriving cultural institutions. Cornell University and Ithaca College are located in Ithaca, New York, 45 miles from Corning. The Clemens Center in nearby Elmira hosts touring Broadway shows and other major entertainment. Elmira is also home to the Arnot Art Museum. The area is served by daily flights to major cities.

Address all inquiries and recommendations in confidence,
to the retained search consultants (e-mails are preferred).
Please do not send printed catalogues or material.
 
Freda Mindlin or Nancy Kaufman
Opportunity Resources Inc.
196 East 75th Street, Suite 14H
New York, NY 10021* (212) 744-4409
search@opportunityresources.net * www.opportunityresources.net