Apply by November 21, 2014

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts seeks a dynamic senior curator to lead an active and collaborative department that includes two other American curators, one who specializes in decorative art. The department head will provide general oversight of the museum’s acclaimed collection of more than 2000 American paintings, sculptures, works on paper, and decorative objects from the colonial era to the mid-20th century. One of 9 distinct curatorial areas at VMFA—the only encyclopedic museum in the region—American art is a flagship collection of Virginia’s state art museum with a broad and deep patron base.

Responsibilities include managing all aspects of the department’s administrative work; building the collection through purchases and gifts; cultivating and stewarding patrons; organizing special exhibitions; planning gallery installations; researching and publishing the collection; monitoring the safety and care of the collection; and participating in the broader life of the museum through collaborations with educators, conservators, designers, advancement and community-outreach colleagues, among others.

Job Requirements

Qualifications: Ph.D. in art history preferred with a specialization in pre-1945 American art (late 19th- and early 20th-century painting preferred), plus a minimum of ten years of curatorial experience. The successful candidate will have an established publication record as well as a demonstrated ability to develop exhibitions of national importance. This position requires strong interpersonal and communication skills (written, oral, visual); significant experience with collection development, project direction, donor cultivation, and budget and personnel management; and a deep commitment to public access and audience engagement. A security background check is required.

To apply, log onto the Commonwealth of Virginia Online Employment System at http://jobs.virginia.gov and submit your application, resume or C.V. and letter of intent no later than November 21, 2014. Please contact the HR office at 804.340.1485 if you need assistance. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. EOE