Curator of American Art [Asheville Art Museum, Asheville, NC]

Description

Responsibilities: This position is a full-time curatorial position and is a leadership position with the Asheville Art Museum.  Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Museum’s collection includes American art in all media and it concentrates on work from 1900 to the present. Painting, sculpture, works on paper and photography are strengths, as are the Museum’s holdings of work related to Black Mountain College, studio craft, Cherokee artists, and the Southeast. The Museum has initiated a major renovation, preservation and new construction project which will result a new museum facility.

The incumbent will serve at times as the Museum’s representative to scholars, artists, donors, and the public within and outside the Museum and will support and advance fundraising goals for the collection, exhibitions and for the Museum as a whole.

Responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, conceptualizing and producing exciting exhibitions from the permanent collection, both for exhibition at the Asheville Art Museum and for travel to other venues. Review and understand the collection and with curatorial staff and the Collections Committee move the Museum’s Collections Growth and Stewardship Plans forward. Coordinate the reinterpretation and reinstallation of the collection for the New Museum Building and the development of a guide to the collection.

Supervise interns and volunteers. Work with the Curatorial and Education Departments. Work with the Development department to encourage support for the collection, exhibitions and for the Museum. Assist in grant writing, events and related programs. Develop relationships with collectors, artists, support groups and donors.  Represent the Museum at professional conferences and other duties, as required or assigned. This position requires some travel and the ability to assist with installations and events. The Asheville Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer. The position is full time with benefits.

To apply: Candidate should submit a curriculum vitae, writing sample and cover letter via email to mailbox@ashevilleart.org with Curator of American Art in the subject line.

Requirements

Requirements: The ideal candidate for this position is an excellent communicator and well versed in the field of American art from the late 19th to the 21st century. He/She must possess an advanced degree in the history of American art with a strong concentration on American art from 1900 to the present. MA in American Art History or American Studies required, Ph.D. preferred. A minimum of three to five years of museum and successful exhibition development experience is required. Experience should demonstrate a professional commitment to interpretation and engaging a broad public audience in innovative and exciting ways, as well as to research and creative program development. Strong writing skills, the ability to teach and speak effectively to diverse audiences, and the ability to work smoothly and effectively with colleagues in a highly collaborative, faced paced environment are essential.

The candidate must have a proven ability to produce original and engaging exhibitions based on the Museum’s permanent collections and exhibitions involving loans from other Museums, collectors, galleries and artists. Projects should engage multiple audiences through well thought out planning, excellent writing and dynamic public speaking.