The Halperin Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art [Stanford University]

Posted September 11, 2014.

The Halperin Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art

Job Number: 64199

Cantor Arts Center
Stanford University

The Halperin Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art

The successful candidate will have the ability to work with faculty to integrate the use of the collection into the teaching curriculum. The curator will also have demonstrated experience to foster appreciation and understanding of art through teaching, lecturing, and organizing exhibitions, and educational programs. We are looking for a creative individual who enjoys contributing in a team-oriented environment, and will thoughtfully transmit their knowledge, ideas, and enthusiasm to colleagues, visitors, volunteers, students, faculty, and staff. This curator position is an endowed position and reports to the Associate Director for Exhibitions, Collections, and Curatorial Affairs and works in close collaboration with the Museum Director.

This curator has the following specific responsibilities:
1. Collection Development
a. The curator will work with the Director and the Associate Director to selectively acquire important objects through purchase with the museum’s acquisition funds and selectively acquire objects by gift. Conduct research on possible purchases and/or gifts with attention to issues of provenance, cultural sensitivity and legal constraints.
b. Develop a cooperative and productive relationship between the Cantor and the art community, cultivating potential donors and identifying desired gifts.
c. Be well informed as to availability and market value of objects, the proposed dispersion of private collections, and other available resources.
d. Be accessible as a resource for information on specific objects or general areas of interest.

2. Collection Management
a. Work with relevant museum staff to ensure the proper display, storage, conservation, documentation, and registration of all works of art within the Modern and Contemporary collections.
b. Recommend and present acquisitions and deaccessions that will strengthen the collection, in consultation with the Director, Associate Director, other curators, relevant faculty, and other scholars.
c. Consult with the museum’s conservator to determine preservation/conservation needs and priorities and possible solutions.
d. Consult with the registration staff on all matters of shipping and insurance having to do with works of art owned, loaned, borrowed, or being considered for acquisition by the museum.

3. Exhibition Development
a. Proposes ideas for original exhibitions that place the collection areas in cultural and historical context. Organizes all aspects of scheduled exhibitions, including generating loans, securing venues for travel, organizing installations, and researching and writing printed materials and/or wall texts; coordinates the work of guest curators/essayists. Works with museum curators and university faculty and students on developing ideas for the exhibition and implementing them.
b. Develop a long-range plan for collection installations including rotation of objects and writing label copy.
c. Manage and implement exhibitions borrowed from other institutions as assigned by the Director.
d. Develop, prepare, and maintain exhibition budgets, working with the exhibition coordinator and administrator; work with external relations staff on press materials and promotion of installations and exhibitions.
e. Work with established deadlines and procedures developed by the exhibitions team.
f. Assist with the development of grant proposals for exhibition projects and publications and help to identify potential sources of support.

4. Academic and Public Engagement
a. Collaborate with colleagues on the development of materials that will make the Modern and Contemporary collection more accessible and relevant to diverse audiences, including volunteers, docents, students, faculty, and the community as a whole; participate in the recruitment and training of docents, when necessary.
b. Research and write exhibition catalogues, gallery introductions, labels, texts, and supplementary essays.
c. Collaborate with University departments to bring visiting scholars to Stanford..
d. Teach about the collection to Stanford students as time permits.

5. Campus and Community Relations
a. Serve as liaison to the University community; encourage diverse academic departments and student groups to use the resources of the museum..
b. Encourage and facilitate the study of specific works in the collection, by scholars at Stanford and elsewhere, to fulfill the Center’s research and teaching mission.
c. Work closely with the external relations office on matters of development, membership, and public relations as they relate to this curatorial area.
d. Encourage involvement of Stanford students, Center members, and others in the museum’s activities.
e. Presents interpretative and promotional lectures, classes, and gallery talks to diverse audiences as requested.
f. Answers or directs inquiries and requests for information on collections, conservation, etc. Meets visiting scholars, colleagues, donors, collectors, and alumni
g. Oversee the museum’s outdoor art program and serve as a resource to faculty and staff to help identify new opportunities on campus

6. Collegial Responsibilities
a. Maintain a calendar of meetings and appointments and be generally accessible to colleagues.
b. Participate actively in a range of curatorial and staff meetings, and assume some leadership responsibilities.
c. Meet deadlines for publications, documents, comments, or other written materials and projects.
d. Supervises the work of curatorial assistants and student interns as appropriate.
e. Performs other related duties as required or approved by the Director.

Qualifications:
• Personal skills of high-energy leadership, flexibility, intellectual curiosity, positive attitude, and openness in working with a wide range of staff in a fast-paced environment. Commitment to education and excellence. Discretion, confidentiality, professionalism, and enthusiasm for collaboration.
• An advanced degree in Art History or related field, with a Ph.D. or equivalent scholarship desired.
• Understanding of and experience with best curatorial practices and museum methodologies. Strong connections in the field.
• Experience working with living artists on special projects and/or commissions is preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of museum ethics and principles
• Strong interpersonal skills: Ability to communicate effectively; effective writer, engaging speaker with extensive experience giving talks and speaking in public;
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to operate in a team-based working environment
• Museum experience building and working with collections.
• Demonstrated record of scholarship, connoisseurship, and leadership in acquisitions, exhibitions, and publications
• Ability to deal with a wide range of audiences including students, faculty, donors, collectors, volunteers, and the general public.
• Exemplary record of organization and presentation of special exhibitions
• Experience in project and budget management
• Experience with fundraising and donor cultivation is preferred.

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: stanfordcareers.stanford.edu

Stanford University is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and is committed to recruiting and hiring qualified women, minorities, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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