Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by end of day on November 21, 2014.

The Henry is accepting applications for a full-time Assistant Curator of Collections and Academic Programs.

The Assistant Curator of Collections and Academic Programs will lead the Henry’s efforts to create a broad vision and framework for collections access to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the Henry’s permanent holdings and exhibitions.

The position will manage the Eleanor Henry Reed Collections Study Center’s daily and annual activities, and is charged with researching, identifying, and developing new programs and education opportunities. The Assistant Curator will also manage and expand the museum’s online collection presence.

A primary focus of the position is to build and foster lasting relationships between the Henry, the academic community region (with an emphasis on UW faculty, students, and artists) and the Puget Sound region to form strategic partnerships to foster new scholarship and approaches to the collection.

The Assistant Curator will contribute significantly to the museum’s role as a vital creative and intellectual force for its various audiences and constituencies. The Assistant Curator plays a leadership role in the strategic promotion of, and serves as a primary spokesperson for collection-related programs. To ensure continued refinement and excellence in this field, the Assistant Curator will be expected to participate in appropriate events organized within the larger professional community, and serve as a leader in the field of collections access.

Supervisory responsibilities include assigned Work-Study students, as well as interns as required. Evening and weekend work will be required.

This position reports to the Deputy Director of Exhibitions, Collections, and Programs, and works closely with the Curator of Collections.

Principal Responsibilities:

  • Manage and promote physical access to the Henry’s collection
  • Oversee all physical access to the Henry’s collections in the Eleanor Henry Reed Collections Study Center (RCSC)
  • Train and supervise a team of work-study students to locate, pull, and display objects in the RCSC
  • Conduct object research in preparation for visits
  • Teach, co-teach, or host class visits
  • Work with Deputy Director of Exhibitions, Collections, and Programs and Curator of Collections to maintain, update, and enforce Collections Access Policies
  • Manage and expand the Henry’s online collection presence and resources, including social media
  • Research and develop new programming and education opportunities related to the collection
  • Research, selectively invite, and work with faculty and graduate students to lead collection programs, write collection labels, and explore new scholarship opportunities on objects or collection clusters
  • Collaborate with the Assistant Curator of Public Programs to actively integrate collection-related programming into the Henry’s public programs offerings
  • Lead outreach efforts to promote the Henry and its collection to faculty and students at the UW as well as other universities and organizations in the Puget Sound region
  • Facilitate student thesis and dissertation projects related to the Henry’s collection
  • Oversee the Visiting Fellow Program (when collection related)
  • Participate actively in discussions to conceptualize and implement non-collection related outreach initiatives

Collections management

  • In partnership with the Curator of Collections:
    • Advocate for the collections and answer inquiries about the collections from staff and the public
    • Plan and facilitate quarterly Collection Committee Meetings
    • Maintain, update, and expand Collections Management System (MIMSY)
    • Help create, maintain, and distribute documentation images of all objects in the collections
    • Conduct safe art handling of collection objects
    • Manage collections interns and work-study students. Recruit, schedule and train (collections management and art handling) student workers
    • Stay current with museum online collection trends to ensure the Henry’s collection is dynamic and relevant
    • Other duties as assigned

Competitive pay, comprehensive benefits.

Please send cover letter, including salary expectations, and resume to jobs@henryart.org.  No phone calls, please. Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by end of day on November 21, 2014.

The Henry is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Requirements

Required Education and Experience:

  • Master’s Degree and two years of museum collections, curatorial experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Ability to relate well to a wide variety of people inside and outside of the museum and University and to establish and maintain effective relationships
  • Self-directed with attention to detail and the ability to take initiative and anticipate actions needed
  • Ability to manage, delegate, and juggle multiple tasks and meet demanding deadlines.
  • Well-developed written and oral communication skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and positive attitude that supports department’s goals

APPLY FOR THIS JOB

Contact Person: Human Resources
Email Address: jobs@henryart.org
Apply URL: http://www.henryart.org