GENERAL SUMMARY

The DIA seeks a full-time Assistant or Associate Curator of American Art. We will consider candidates who specialize in any field of American decorative arts, painting or sculpture up to 1950, but are especially interested in candidates who specialize in decorative arts. The American collection at the DIA is among the best in the world, featuring major examples of paintings, sculpture, furniture, silver, ceramics and glass. The bulk of the collection is installed in a major suite of galleries that offer visitors an integrated history of American painting, sculpture, and decorative arts from 1650 to World War I.

Under the supervision of the Head of American Art, the Assistant or Associate Curator will have primary responsibility for the museum’s collections of American decorative arts. Although it contains many major works, the DIA’s collection of American decorative art is under-researched and under-published, offering the successful candidate significant opportunities for original research and publication. Responsibilities include but are not limited to collections research, oversight of the long-term galleries, organization of in-house exhibitions, organization of special loan exhibitions, acquisitions, and donor cultivation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Conduct original research on the American art in general and on the DIA’s collection in particular; and publish the fruits of that research in scholarly journals, catalogues, and books;
Develop information pertinent to the identification, documentation, or authentication of works of art and maintain appropriate object records in accordance with DIA data and archival standards;
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the art market in order to recommend objects for the permanent collection and develop acquisition proposals;
Participate in the day-to-day administration of the department, which includes responding to scholarly and public inquiries related to the collection;
Collaborate with the Collections Management staff in installing artworks that fall under the purview of his/her curatorial department;
Work in close collaboration with the Conservation Department to regularly assess the conservation needs of the collection;
Develop familiarity with the DIA’s Collections Management Policy and assist the Registrar’s Department in producing supporting documentation for accessioning and deaccessioning works of art;
Participate in training to facilitate courier trips and serve as a designated museum courier when necessary;
Work collaboratively with educators in the Learning and Interpretation Division to develop and produce interpretive strategies and accompanying materials for permanent gallery projects and special exhibitions, as well as conduct training for gallery teachers and docents to support DIA’s school and related programs;
Assist with organizing and supervising the activities of the department’s support group
(The Associates of the American Wing);

Develop enrichments, including presentations and tours, for museum members and other museum visitors, and facilitate community outreach;
Foster and maintain good working relationships with existing and potential patrons, trustees, and museum colleagues across the country and abroad, as well as with the academic community, art dealers, and collectors;
Work effectively with various museum departments to ensure that content related to the art under the curator’s purview is accurately conveyed and represented in all museum print publications and other media;
Represent the museum in professional societies and at symposia and other scholarly meetings and events.
Job Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS

M.A. required (Ph.D. preferred) in a field related to the history of American art
Record of research and scholarship
Experience working in a museum or university setting
Ability to teach and to talk effectively to diverse audiences
Ability to work effectively with professional staff and volunteers in a highly collaborative environment
Interested applicants for this position must send a cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae, and writing sample online at www.dia.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

THE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

APPLY FOR THIS JOB
Apply URL: http://www.dia.org/about/employment.aspx