Apply by October 22, 2014

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts is seeking an outstanding curator to champion the Museum’s strong and growing exhibition and collections program. The ideal candidate will bring passion, energy, scholarship, and a spirit of collaboration to this young and vibrant institution, the only full-scale museum in the U.S. dedicated to the vast world of children’s book art.

The Carle’s mission is to inspire a love of art and reading through picture books. In the Museum’s short life, it has become an influential national center advocating for the prominent place that children’s literature holds in our shared artistic, cultural, historical, and educational experience. The Carle organizes numerous picture-book art exhibitions, drawing from both loans and from our growing permanent collection. We are committed to sharing these exhibitions and have traveled them all over the US, in Europe, Japan, and Korea.

The Curator, reporting into the Executive Director, will oversee all aspects of the Carle’s exhibition program and manage a department of four full- and part-time staff; represent the Museum nationally and internationally, traveling widely to attend openings of traveling exhibitions, give talks about our field, and solicit work for our permanent collection; and embrace the collaborative and energetic environment of this young institution and play a key role in its strategic direction.

Qualifications:

The curator will have a breadth and depth of knowledge about art history and museum best practices. A respect for illustration and a willingness to deepen knowledge in the field is critical for this role; a knowledge of picture book illustration is ideal but not required. He or she must have a passion for education and the power of illustration to inspire, educate, and move viewers.

Specific experiences we are looking for:

  • A track record of mounting successful exhibitions
  • Experience building a premier collection
  • A proven ability to orchestrate engaging and substantive educational programs
  • The breadth of experience, perspective, and depth to assist the Director in developing the institutional strategic plan
  • A strong understanding of budgeting and financial reporting
  • Experience in development and fundraising
  • Highly developed interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
  • The ability to attract, hire, develop, and motivate pertinent staff to insure efficient performance of their duties
  • An advanced degree in Art History or a related museum field

How To Apply:

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is an equal opportunity employer. The curator position is fulltime, with benefits that include health and contribution to a 403(b) defined contribution plan. For a detailed job description and application instructions, see Job Listing. The application deadline is October 22, 2014.

Apply by:
October 22, 2014

Salary:
commensurate with experience

About this Organization:
Founded in part by Eric Carle, the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is the first full-scale museum in this country devoted to national and international picture book art, conceived and built with the aim of celebrating the art that we are first exposed to as children. Through the exploration of images that are familiar and beloved, it is the Museum’s goal to provide an enriching, dynamic, and supportive context for the development of literacy and to foster in visitors of all ages and backgrounds the confidence to appreciate and enjoy art of every kind.

The Museum—which houses three galleries dedicated to rotating exhibitions of picture book art, a hands-on Art Studio, a Reading Library, an Auditorium, and a Museum Shop—is located at 125 West Bay Road, Amherst, MA. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children under 18, and $22.50 for a family of four. For more information about the Museum and its programs visit www.carlemuseum.org or call (413) 658-1100.