Interim Curator of Modern Art and Design [Smart Museum of Art, Chicago, IL]

Description

The Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago (smartmuseum.uchicago.edu), is currently accepting applications for Interim Curator of Modern Art and Design.  This full-time interim curatorial position has been created for approximately thirteen months beginning in November 2015 and ending December 31, 2016 while the Smart Museum completes its search for a new director.  The Interim Curator of Modern Art and Design will serve as a coordinating curator for previously planned exhibitions, working closely with faculty, guest curators, and students, and in collaboration with other museum colleagues, to support, encourage, and develop related public programs that strengthen the Museum’s engagement with modern art and design.  As a member of the Smart Museum’s highly collaborative collections, exhibitions and education team, the interim curator has primary responsibility for the coordination of exhibition, research, and publication activity in this key area of the Smart Museum’s collection.  In addition, the curator encourages curricular and co-curricular collaboration with the Departments of Art History, Visual Arts and others whose content expertise aligns with modern exhibition projects. With the approval of the Department of Visual Arts and/or Art History, the Humanities Division, and the Provost Office, the interim curator may teach up to one quarter-long course per year, often directly related to the Museum’s collection.

Qualified applicants are required to apply online at https://jobopportunities.uchicago.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp , (Requisition # 099359) including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three (3) references.  We will begin to review applications the week of November 1, 2015 and will continue until a candidate is selected.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status or status as an individual with disability.  The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity / Disabled / Veterans Employer.

Requirements

• A deep familiarity with American and European art between 1870s and mid-1960s required.
• An advanced degree in Art History or a related field or equivalent relevant experience required. A Ph.D is preferred.
• Eagerness to work within the unique environment of a research university such as the University of Chicago, where a commitment to rigorous debate, field-changing research, and boundary-breaking collaborations is fundamental, required.
• At least three (3) years of progressively more responsible experience working in art museums on a part-time or full-time basis required.
• A record of innovative research and exhibitions that make contributions to the field preferred.
• Dedication to the care and stewardship of the permanent collection and knowledge of conservation issues preferred.
• Familiarity with the full range of current issues in museum practice particularly as they affect the acquisition, exhibition, and interpretation of modern art required.
• Familiarity with budget planning and management preferred.
• A substantial commitment to collaboration of all types, with museum colleagues, students, faculty, and external partners required.
• Comfort in establishing positive and effective relationships with internal and external communities, including major donors and collectors, board members, artists, members of the press, art dealers, professionals at other institutions, faculty, students, and the public required.
• Experience teaching in a college and or graduate programs preferred.
• Exceptional organizational skills required. Must be able to oversee complex projects and schedules, maintain deadlines, work within budgets, with the ability to set priorities and manage several projects simultaneously required. Ability to successfully manage a workload that balances long-range planning with the unanticipated daily demands of art exhibition spaces required.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills with the ability to synthesize and accurately present relevant information required. Marketing and communications experience including digital communications such as developing web content related to exhibition programming preferred.
• Knowledge of database management software preferred
• Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.