Senior Curator [Colgate University]

Reporting to the Director of University Museums, the senior curator of collections of the Longyear Museum of Anthropology is responsible for, but is not limited to, the study, care, use, interpretation, scholarship, publication, and management of the Longyear Museum’s collection in its current facility, in anticipation of an envisioned Center for Art and Culture (CAC), designed by architect David Adjaye and to be located in downtown Hamilton, New York. An exciting time in Colgate’s history, the newly conceived Center for Art and Culture will become home to two university museums with distinctive missions: the Longyear Museum of Anthropology and the Picker Art Gallery. These distinguished university museums play a significant role in the teaching mission and the reputation of one of the country’s leading liberal arts universities, with a student population of about 2,850 and a faculty of 300.

The Longyear Museum of Anthropology is located on Colgate University’s beautiful campus in Hamilton, New York. Its collection features approximately 16,000 objects. Established in the 1950’s within the Department of Sociology and Anthropology by archaeologist John Longyear, the Longyear Museum collections have diversified and grown to include archaeological and ethnographic art and artifacts from North America, Pre-Columbian Middle and South America, Africa, Oceania and Asia as well as contemporary art of indigenous people. The Americas collections include indigenous artifacts and art objects, from prehistoric stone tools to Peruvian pottery, from Plains Indian beadwork to Mohawk baskets. The African materials constitute the largest and most comprehensive repository of African art in Central New York. The holdings include works from indigenous cultures of the Pacific Islands, as well as Asian and Indonesian objects.

For more information about the Museu, please visit: http://www.colgate.edu/campus-life/arts-on-campus/longyear-museum.

Essential Functions:

– To support the teaching mission of the university and the museum, work closely with faculty of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, the Africana and Latin American Studies Program, the Native American Studies Program, and other related academic units to facilitate access to the collections and the use of the objects in teaching. This may include bringing materials into the classroom, as well as facilitating visits by groups of students to exhibits and storage facilities where the objects are curated. Facilitate access to the collections by students doing advanced research utilizing these materials.
-Work closely with members of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology to develop exhibits which support and enhance the curriculum, which are linked to specific courses and topics, and which respond to changing priorities in the teaching of Anthropology.
-In collaboration with the Director of University Museums and staff members, implement best practice in the areas of curatorship, collection development, exhibitions, and research. Direct and support the museum’s daily curatorial programs, maintain contacts with scholars, museum professionals, and collecting institutions.
-Develop and manage an active exhibition and public educational program, help develop a vision for the collection, evaluate current standards of collection care, assess preventive conservation goals for the museum, maintain collection records, and be responsible for proposing acquisitions and deaccessions.
-Represent the museum at professional organizations, assist and work with the director, building committee, Colgate faculty and Hamilton constituencies in regard to the envisioned CAC. Responsibilities also include the development and implementation of strategic goals, policies, and objectives related to collection and exhibition management, which adhere to the highest museum standards and best practices. Engage Colgate’s students and faculty while working closely with the educator and senior curator of collections at the Picker Art Gallery.
-In coordination with the Director of University Museums, supervise the curatorial assistant who will also report to the senior curator of collections at the Picker Art Gallery, collections management (registrars), installation (preparator), students (work-study and interns) when working at and with the Longyear Museum of Anthropology collection, and interact with museum staff, students, faculty, collectors, donors, volunteers, and the public.

Applicants are required to provide a brief sample of writing that demonstrates their abilities (ex: published essays, brochure text) along with an online application, cover letter, resume and list of professional references which may be submitted through Colgate’s career site at https://careers.colgate.edu. Recruitment will continue until the position is filled.

Colgate takes great pride in sustaining a collaborative work environment that provides a comprehensive total rewards benefit package. Colgate is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to attracting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff, and student population. Women and candidates from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Qualifications:

(Education and Experience):

-MA in Anthropology; MA in other related fields of expertise is also welcome, but all candidates must have a minimum of 5 years museum and curatorial experience working with anthropological collections in at least one of the Longyear Museum of Anthropology’s collecting areas. That minimum of 5 years of museum and curatorial experience must include a proven track record of anthropological collection building, exhibitions, and publications as well as knowledge in collections management software.
– Candidates must also have administrative experience, excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, the ability to work effectively in a leadership position within a collaborative environment, proven experience in grant writing, and must be capable of working collegially with a diverse group of faculty, staff and students on a daily basis.

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

– PhD or equivalent. Experience in a university museum setting. Experience in anthropological fieldwork preferred.

Apply Here 

PI87485109