Job Description

UMMA Mission:  The University of Michigan Museum of Art seeks to transform individual and civic life by promoting the discovery, contemplation, and enjoyment of the art of our world.

This unique opportunity will appeal to the candidate who thrives in a cohesive, team-based environment, and who understands the possibilities and challenges of being part of a large university environment.  For full consideration please provide a resume, with cover letter, describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position requirements.  Please apply to job number 115137 at the University of Michign website:  umjobs.org.

Basic Function and Responsibility

The Assistant Curator of Western Art works with the Museum’s collections of Western art, proposes acquisitions, and cultivates collectors and potential donors interested in Western art. The Assistant Curator also organizes exhibitions of Western art for presentation at the Museum and elsewhere.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

The Assistant Curator will be responsible for working with the Director to shape the Museum’s program in western art through energetic contacts with dealers, artists, collectors, museum patrons, and members of the University community, through the development of innovative collections presentations, judicious additions to the collections, and temporary exhibitions.

The Assistant Curator will be a member of the Museum’s curatorial team and will participate in developing the Museum’s overall exhibition program, recommending works for purchase, and formulating and monitoring budgets.  The Assistant Curator will curate exhibition projects and manage those developed by outside institutions for presentation at the Museum, including developing installation plans, editing interpretive materials, and preparing and monitoring project budgets. The Assistant Curator will conduct object-based research as needed and work with the Chief Registrar to maintain complete, up-to-date and orderly records and cataloguing for the western art collection. The Assistant Curator will collaborate with colleagues throughout the Museum, foster and maintain good working relationships with Museum donors, colleagues from other institutions, the scholarly community, dealers and collectors as authorized by the Director. The Assistant Curator will teach and publish in this area pursuant to UMMA’s mission. He/she will also represent UMMA at professional conferences, symposia, etc.