Posted July 17, 2014

CURATOR OR ASSOCIATE CURATOR OF FURNITURE

The Curator of Furniture at Historic Deerfield (HD) is responsible for the development, care and interpretation of the furniture collection at the museum, for participation in the shared daily tasks and responsibilities of the Curatorial Department, for regular assignments in teaching and writing about the history and culture of New England, and for development of a second area of professional expertise in American and related decorative arts.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision of the furniture collection, its care, conservation planning, research, cataloguing, and presentation, and of other collections as required.
Development of a second specialty in American decorative arts and in the history and culture of the Connecticut River Valley and New England.
Participation with HD curatorial and library staff members in the planning and implementation of historic house installations, changing exhibitions, outdoors interpretation, and upgrades to “The Museum’s Attic,” our visible storage area.
Participation in educational events: symposia, seminars, forums, museum courses, and lecture series.
Participation in electronic programming designed to engage broader participation and excitement in the assets and meanings of Deerfield, Massachusetts, through various kinds of distance learning.
Development of collaborative programs with other institutions to promote research on Deerfield and the Connecticut Valley.
Regular contact with museum colleagues, collectors, dealers, and auction house personnel in order to develop acquisitions, knowledge of the marketplace, and Historic Deerfield’s standing in the museum community.
Teaching and presentations for the general public as required and participation in Guides’ Training Programs as requested.
Participation in the educational content of the Summer Fellowship Program in Early American History and Culture, a nine-week course of independent study and museum apprenticeship for advanced undergraduates.
Participation in the life of the Curatorial Department through the daily administration of the collections, including the preparation of reports, annual work plans, and budgeting, and through staff committees, periodic fundraising and writing assignments for the Departments of Development and Marketing, contributions to Weekend Duty Officer responsibility (3-4 times a year), and communication with appropriate Trustee committees and with Summer Fellowship Program alumni/ae.
Performance of other tasks as required and requested.
The Curator or Associate Curator of Furniture reports directly to the Director of the Curatorial Department. The title and salary are commensurate with experience.

Master’s degree is highly preferred with experience in New England history and material culture and public speaking.

BENEFITS: Historic Deerfield participates in a TIAA-CREF retirement plan. Persons already enrolled in TIAA-CREF or who have been employed for two years by a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization may transfer to Historic Deerfield’s plan in which the institution pays half (5% of salary) and the individual pays half (5% of salary). Others must wait two years for eligibility. Historic Deerfield offers a health maintenance organization plan and a dental insurance plan. In each, Historic Deerfield pays 90% of individual coverage or 50% of family coverage. Historic Deerfield offers long-term disability insurance in which the employee pays 25% and Historic Deerfield pays 75%. Other benefits include paid vacation, paid holidays and paid sick time. AA/EOE

APPLY FOR THIS JOB
Contact Person: Betsy McKee Phone: 4137757165
Email Address: bmckee@historic-deerfield.org Fax: 4137757220