Thompson Curator [Georgia Museum of Art/University of Georgia]

The Larry D. and Brenda A. Thompson Curator [the “Thompson Curator”] at the Georgia Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Georgia will oversee a growing collection of objects and archives by artists of the African diaspora, with an emphasis on art by African Americans, as well as managing a smaller collection of African objects. The Thompson Curator will report to the director of the museum. He or she will work collaboratively with other curators where areas of interest overlap, particularly with the curators of American art and decorative arts, as well as with the Pierre Daura Curator of European Art, the curator of education, the director of communications, registrars, preparators and with outside curators and other scholars, to further the study, care, interpretation, presentation and publication of objects in the collection.

Qualifications: The position requires substantial, proven knowledge of art by African Americans, art of the larger African diaspora and African art and material culture, in addition to curatorial experience (preferably three to five years in a museum setting), connoisseurship and knowledge of issues regarding conservation. A doctorate in the history of art, African studies, African-American studies, or a closely related field is required; publications and a demonstrated interest in academics are expected.

Primary duties: The Thompson Curator will have day-to-day and long-term responsibilities regarding organizing exhibitions, conducting research, budgeting, writing for publications, recommending and soliciting acquisitions and identifying and performing as in-house curator for exhibitions on loan from other institutions. The Thompson Curator will work with the curator of education to make exhibitions more accessible to the general public, with docents in training for tours and with the faculty, staff and students of the university.

Donor relations will be an important aspect of the curator’s job, and she or he will be expected to assist the director in identifying and cultivating prospects for future gifts of works of art to the museum’s permanent collection, as well as working with the museum’s Board of Advisors. A wide range of professional activities is expected, including lecturing, teaching, participation in scholarly symposia, contributing to scholarly publications, serving on museum committees and actively participating in professional organizations and committees.

The museum: The Georgia Museum of Art shares the mission of the University of Georgia to support and promote teaching, research and service. Specifically, the museum exists to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret significant works of art. Opened in 1948, the Georgia Museum of Art is accredited by AAM and is a member of AAMD. It is both a university museum and the official state museum of art. The museum offers programming for patrons of all ages, from children to senior citizens, as well as free admission to the public for all exhibitions. It carries out an ambitious exhibition and acquisition program, organizing its own exhibitions in-house, creating traveling exhibitions for other museums and galleries and playing host to traveling exhibitions from around the country and the world. The museum hosts approximately 80,000 visitors a year. Visit www.georgiamuseum.org for more details.

The university: The museum is located on the campus of the University of Georgia, a land- and sea-grant state university with a total enrollment of around 35,000 students and a workforce of nearly 10,000 employees. Eighteen different schools and colleges are within the university, and its libraries are ranked among the nation’s best in research. U.S. News & World Report’s 2013 “Best Colleges” edition has UGA ranked 21 among public universities. Its NCAA Division I sports teams have won 38 national championships, including 26 since 1999.

The town: Athens, Georgia, is located 70 miles northeast of Atlanta, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, approximately 300 miles from the coast. With a population of more than 100,000, Athens serves the region as an educational, medical, business, industrial and retail center. The city benefits from strong historic preservationist activity and nurtures artists, writers, musicians and poets. Cultural, sporting and outdoor opportunities abound, for both adults and children. The public school system is recognized statewide for excellence, and there are several outstanding independent and parochial schools in the area. Both the city and the university have a public transit system. Urban, suburban and rural housing is available either for purchase or rent. For more information about Athens, please visit the Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau website at http://www.visitathensga.com.

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Please send a letter of application, a curriculum vitae and a sample of scholarly writing to:

Lisa Conley, Business Manager

Georgia Museum of Art

90 Carlton Street

Athens, Georgia 30602-6719

Materials may be sent via email to laconley@uga.edu. No faxes accepted. Preliminary interviews will take place during the College Art Association annual conference in New York, February 11-14, 2015.  Anticipated start date is July 1, 2015 or as negotiated.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.