Curator [Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens]

Bring the Museum’s Permanent Collection and exhibitions to life for our visitors.  Collections and exhibitions should illuminate diverse areas of art history and artistic production; reinterpret familiar periods, styles, or stories; embrace themes or topics with strong community relevance; challenge our audiences’ preconceived opinions; and provide a platform for dynamic learning opportunities and meaningful personal experiences that further the Cummer Museum’s mission.

• Support the Cummer Museum mission, vision and values by exhibiting the following behaviors:  excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, respect for the individual, commitment to our community, and accountability/ownership.
• Develop temporary exhibitions and permanent collection displays that will engage existing and target audiences.
• Create gallery presentations that are aesthetically impressive and support visitor experience goals as described in the Museum’s interpretative plan.
• Integrate collection research and educational mission into gallery didactics, lectures, public programs, and symposia for internal and external audience.
• Research, write, and present in written and oral form, information on permanent and special exhibitions for local, regional, and national audiences and professional organizations.
• Assist Chief Curator with development and achievement of curatorial budget and multi-year exhibition calendar.
• Partner with Curatorial team members in the preparation of exhibition schedule and permanent collection displays.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to ensure Museum goals and objectives are met.
• Maintain active relationships with artists, community members, lenders, donors, and professional colleagues.
• Represent Museum at Cultural fusion collaborative meetings and other area-wide multi-arts initiatives to build partnerships that enhance community engagement.
• Represent Museum through media/public interviews.
• Promote the Cummer Museum through the staff “Speakers Bureau” initiative.
• Participate in the development of grants and the cultivation of donors.
• Supervise library volunteers while overseeing processes including the cataloging and inventorying of the library collection.
• Develop long range plan for museum library.
• Research and recommend acquisitions for permanent collection.
• Other job related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and skills:

• Masters Degree in art history (Ph.D. preferred), with a principal focus on 19^th/20^th century American art but interests that reach across countries and chronologies.
• Five plus years of professional work experience in a museum.
• Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and procedures involved in the interpretation and exhibition of art for diverse audiences.
• Strong written/oral communication skills and public speaking abilities.
• Previous experience in exhibition design.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, visitors, volunteers, donors, collectors, professional colleagues, and other members of the museum community.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct original research that results in published scholarly materials.
• Strong organizational, planning, and research skills.
• Must have excellent work habits, including a willingness to work the hours necessary to get the job done especially when important deadlines cause greater than normal departmental pressures.
• Willingness to work flexible hours including mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Abilities

• Work in an office environment in a publicly accessible building
• Ability to do some heavy lifting
• Valid Florida driver license

Qualified candidates send cover letter, resume and salary requirements