Description

Overview:

The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University seeks applicants for the full- time position of Curator/Folklorist. The Curator/Folklorist will build upon and expand the Ward Museum’s successful 14 year-old Lower Shore Traditions program. The position is in partnership with Maryland Traditions, a program of the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Nestled next to Schumaker Pond in Salisbury, Maryland and surrounded by wildlife in the heart of the Atlantic Flyway, the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art features the world’s largest and finest public collection of decorative and antique decoys. The museum is a premier facility for the study of art, nature and tradition for youth, educators, scholars, artists and communities it serves. In the coming year, the Ward Museum is expanding its facility with a 2,200 square foot waterfront classroom addition to support education programs, services, and events.  The Ward Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

The full-time Curator/Folklorist leads the museum’s exhibition and folklife programs, participating in a wide-range of museum events and activities. This is an opportunity to help deepen and extend the programming of a premier material culture focused museum, and to sustain folklife infrastructure through developing links between communities, artists and institutions statewide.

Requirements: 

Graduate level training in folklore and material culture, American studies, history, art history, museum studies, anthropology or related disciplines.

Ethnographic fieldwork experience, including strong photography, video and audio documentation skills. Exhibition development and research experience. Public programming development and delivery experience. Demonstrated ability to write for and edit publications, and promote activities via traditional and social media.  Knowledge of or interest in traditional cultures, North American bird carving, decoys, maritime culture, agricultural life, and indigenous communities.

Candidates must demonstrate initiative, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt to and a facilitate team based work environment. Applicants must also possess strong organizational, writing and communication skills, confidently manage multiple tasks concurrently, and be comfortable working independently and as part of a team with a diverse client base.  Applicants should be proficient with computers and demonstrate exemplary interpersonal skills.  Prior experience in non-profit educational setting preferred.

Job Duties:

Lead the Ward Museum’s changing exhibition program; showcasing exhibits that celebrate art, nature and tradition.

Sustain and expand the Lower Shore Traditions public programs; including programs that showcase regional folklife and cultural heritage, cultural documentation workshops, and lecture series.

Plan and conduct regional fieldwork to locate practitioners of traditional arts and culture, especially decoy makers, decorative bird carvers, and local artisans.

Sustain the Lower Shore Traditions folk arts education program, Pass It On, in partnership with the Museum’s education department, providing the public school system (K-12) access to the museum’s folklife program.

Contribute to the statewide folklife network by nurturing and developing contacts with local and regional organizations and individuals. Participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of Maryland Traditions statewide initiative.

Participate in the academic and educational mission of the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University through publications, professional involvement at the University, mentorship and/or outreach.

Compensation: 

Salary commensurate with experience. Employer paid health benefits package.

How to Apply:

Please send curriculum vitae or resume with cover letter and contact information for three references to:

Lora Bottinelli, Executive Director, Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, 909 S. Schumaker Drive, Salisbury, Maryland 21804 or email to wardadmin@salisbury.edu.

Application review will begin on August 10, 2016. Position open until filled.

To learn more about the Ward Museum, please visit us online at www.wardmuseum.org.

The Ward Museum/ Ward Foundation, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Requirements

Requirements: 

Graduate level training in folklore and material culture, American studies, history, art history, museum studies, anthropology or related disciplines.

Ethnographic fieldwork experience, including strong photography, video and audio documentation skills. Exhibition development and research experience. Public programming development and delivery experience. Demonstrated ability to write for and edit publications, and promote activities via traditional and social media.  Knowledge of or interest in traditional cultures, North American bird carving, decoys, maritime culture, agricultural life, and indigenous communities.

Candidates must demonstrate initiative, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt to and a facilitate team based work environment. Applicants must also possess strong organizational, writing and communication skills, confidently manage multiple tasks concurrently, and be comfortable working independently and as part of a team with a diverse client base.  Applicants should be proficient with computers and demonstrate exemplary interpersonal skills.  Prior experience in non-profit educational setting preferred.

Job Information
  • Salisbury, Maryland, 21804, United States
  • 29477213
  • July 13, 2016
  • Curator & Folklorist
  • Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art
  • Curator
  • Full-Time
  • Indefinite
  • Master’s Degree
  • 2-3 Years
  • 0-10%