Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art Exhibitions at The Hyde Collection
Job Title: Curator
Job Status: Full-time
Location: Glens Falls, NY
Description
Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art and Exhibitions
THE HYDE COLLECTION
Reports to: CEO
Responsibilities:
The Curator of Contemporary Art & Exhibitions will serve as a key member of the curatorial team with goals of increasing and diversifying the audiences for The Hyde Collection, protecting and displaying inspiring exhibitions featuring pieces from our permanent collection and our Feibes & Schmitt collection, along with building and activating strategic relationships with artists, museums, galleries and other sources of fine works of art in order to deliver exhibitions of an excellent caliber.
The Curator will be a dynamic visionary as well as an accomplished and productive individual who will guide the acquisition, presentation, publication, and interpretation of contemporary art for The Hyde Collection.
The Curator will participate in the Museum’s development of new policies the address Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access by identifying and building strong relationships and partnerships with diverse communities that strengthen their voices and thoughtfully respond to their needs, and ensure all patrons find the collections, exhibitions, and public programs appropriately accessible, comprehensible, and engaging.
The ideal Curator candidate is flexible, collegial, experimental, creative, a collaborative spirit, has a passion for connecting to our guests and diverse communities, and embraces innovative ideas and input from varied stakeholders. Experience in creating spaces, programs, exhibitions, and acquisitions is critically important as are excellent speaking, writing, and research abilities.
Collections: In accordance with the Museum’s “Collections Management Policy” and professional standards set forth by the American Alliance of Museums, oversee acquisition, care, preservation, loan, and exhibition of the permanent collection and the possible deaccessioning of ancillary objects within the permanent collection. Ensure the appropriate handling, security, storage, documentation, and inventory of objects in the collection, by overseeing the work of the registrar and collections manager and all staff in the curatorial department. Collaborate with facilities and security departments to maintain and safe, stable, and secure environment for the permanent collection, exhibitions, and objects on loan and deposit. Act as courier as required.
Primary Responsibilities
The Curator is charged with stewarding all activities related to the contemporary art program in a very collaborative process across all departments. The four key areas of this work include:
- An ongoing contemporary art exhibitions program that includes monographic and thematic shows, commissions, and installation works and appropriate related publications.
- Collection development, presentation, research and publication.
- Engagement in a broad range of public programs, internally and externally.
- Donor cultivation and stewardship.
Principal Responsibilities (Essential Functions)
- Contribute to a long-term vision for The Hyde Collection that focuses on contemporary art. Conduct research on the collection and disseminate the research through oral, written, and other means of communication to provide the widest possible access to both in-house staff and the public.
- Propose and develop creative and engaging exhibitions of various scale and content.
- Manage contemporary collection presentation in collaboration with internal team.
- Create and implement collection development strategies that include purchases and gifts.
- Create and activate outdoor sculpture program.
- Work with fellow staff to ensure the best available standards of care and protection for all works in the permanent collection and borrowed art works.
- Work in close partnership with Education and Development colleagues to contribute to programs related to the collection and special exhibitions, including, but not limited to, lectures, workshops, gallery presentations and other in-gallery interpretation efforts.
- Serve as an ambassador for The Hyde Collection locally, nationally, and internationally, being an active member in the field as well as with the general public.
- Assist in exhibition and collection related fundraising by providing necessary project and object information and participating in grant writing and personal solicitations to potential donors including corporations, foundations and individuals.
- Supervise guest curators in area of specialization, consultants and support staff including curatorial assistants, and interns as require
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education, Training, and Traits:
- Extensive knowledge of American art post-1950
- Master’s degree in art history or equivalent as evidenced by publication of significant writing and the organization of distinguished exhibitions
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking and writing
- Excellent working relationships with collectors, artists, the art market, and scholars
- Self-directed and motivated
Work Experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years prior curatorial experience
- Must have experience managing others, projects, and budgets
Licenses and Certifications:
- Valid Driver’s License with clean driving record
- Ability to obtain Passport for International Travel
Skills and Abilities:
- Proficiency with standard office equipment including basic computer literacy (word processing, spread sheets, e-mail, etc.) telephone, fax and copy machines
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to interpret the collection, temporary exhibitions, and to communicate knowledge relevant to the collection in a manner which is understandable to the general public
- Strong research skills, ability to perform scholarly research in the field
- Ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
- Demonstrated project management skills
- Ability to interact respectfully, collegially, and professionally with all employees and volunteers at all levels of responsibility
- Ability and willingness to be a team player within the department, division, branch and entire organization
- Ability to maintain the highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of curatorial endeavor, and to understand and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Physical demands: The position requires verbal and written conversation with others. Vision abilities required by the job include close vision and color perception.
- Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, and in communities served. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Position requires some independent overnight travel for research, professional meetings, couriering art works to venues nationally and internationally and other travel as necessary to fulfill responsibilities of the position.
To Apply: