Curator of the Permanent Collection & Related Exhibitions at The Hyde Collection

The Hyde Collection Executive Summary

The Hyde Collection Trust was founded in 1952 by Charlotte Pruyn Hyde, a Gilded Age collector who shared her art collection and home with the public, offering tours and art lessons. The Museum opened in 1963, after her death. The Hyde’s core collection, acquired by Mr. and Mrs. Hyde during a 50-year period of avid and highly informed collecting, includes works by major European artists such as Botticelli, El Greco, Rembrandt, Rubens, Degas, Seurat, Toulouse-Lautrec, Goya, Picasso, and Renoir, as well as American masters such as Eakins, Hassam, Homer, and Whistler. In addition, the Museum’s collection of Modern and Contemporary work features art by some of the most prominent artists of twentieth century, including Josef Albers, Dorothy Dehner, Sam Gilliam, Adolph Gottlieb, Grace Hartigan, Ellsworth Kelly, Sol LeWitt, George McNeil, Robert Motherwell, Robert Rauschenberg, and Bridget Riley.

 Throughout the years, the Museum has expanded considerably from the historic Hyde home and now includes a modern museum complex with an auditorium, classroom, five galleries, and state-of-the-art storage facility. Today, the Museum’s mission remains true to Mrs. Hyde’s wishes in 1952: “To maintain a Museum for the exhibition of the permanent collection and to promote and cultivate the improvement of the fine arts, for the education and benefit of the residents of Glens Falls and vicinity and the general public.” The Hyde offers 10-12 temporary exhibitions a year, the year-round historic house exhibition, children’s programming and family activities, adult enrichment (lectures, workshops, music), school and group home tours, community networking events, and much more. And, of course, it features one of the most rare and astonishing collections of fine art one can find outside of a major metropolitan area (5,000+ objects). Given its history, collection, and status, The Hyde is in a unique position to serve the residents of Glens Falls and beyond.

 Responsibilities: The Curator of the Permanent Collection and Related Exhibitions (referred to here as “Curator”) shall honor the vision of Charlotte Pruyn Hyde by ensuring the works in the collection advance a greater understanding and appreciation of the Museum’s collection among all audiences through research, lecture, and writing. S/He will promote and fulfill the stated mission, goals, and values of The Hyde through the care, preservation, and presentation of the permanent collection, exhibitions, and public programs. S/He will ensure that the Museum preserves its collections and presents its exhibitions and programs in accordance with the highest professional standards set forth by the American Alliance of Museums. The Curator will encourage innovation and experimentation within her/his department by welcoming new philosophies, technological innovations, ideas, and approaches to exhibitions, collection installations, the permanent collection, acquisitions, educational experiences, and museum events. S/He will champion fresh thinking and approaches to art, and seize opportunities to be creative, experimental, and innovative, and represent the Museum as a thought leader and advocate for the arts on a local and national level. S/He shall plan and execute at least four (4) but not more than eight (8) exhibitions per year related to the permanent collection based on an agreed upon theme as reviewed by the Collections and Exhibitions Committee each year, one of which the Curator will curate themselves. The exhibition schedule shall be planned and coordinated in conjunction with the Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art and Related Exhibitions. Additionally, the Curator will curate one (1) original exhibition every three years along with the associated scholarship and related publication or publications.  Consideration will be given to creating an original exhibition which will travel following it’s initial showing at the Hyde Collection. The Curator will gain insights of and place considerable attention on artists from NY’s Capital and North Country regions.

 As part of the exhibition planning process, S/He will be responsible for creating a business plan in the designated format for each exhibition for presentation to the Collections and Exhibitions of the Board of trustees. A three (3) year exhibition plan will be presented to the CEO, Collections & Exhibitions Committee, and the Board of Trustees for review and approval.

 As part of the senior management team, the Curator will develop and administer short- and long-range planning and budgets.

 The Curator will research, lecture, and write about works of art in the permanent collection to advance a greater understanding and appreciation of the Museum’s collection among all audiences. The Curator will develop wall texts, explanatory labels, catalogue entries, and audio-visual material for objects in the collection. The Curator will respond to inquiries from the public, fellow curators, scholars, collectors, and dealers. More broadly, s/he will build and maintain relationships across the arts, academic, and cultural communities at local, regional, and international levels; participate through publications, seminars, conferences, and professional organizations; and share this knowledge as a coach and mentor to Hyde colleagues.

 Seek, cultivate, and recommend new gifts to or purchases for the permanent collection. Prepare and present research related to gifts, acquisitions, or deaccessions to the CEO, Collections & Exhibitions Committee, and the Board of Trustees.

 Exhibitions: Create an exhibition program to support the Museum’s mission. This includes selection and negotiation of loans as well as creation and implementation of exhibition design, installation, and interpretive and promotional materials. Research and write catalogues, brochures, presentations, and audio-visual materials, as needed. Create multi-year exhibition schedules and budgets and share this information regularly with the senior staff, the Collections & Exhibitions Committee, and the Board of Trustees.

 Inter-departmental: With the Curator of Education and Engagement, development personnel, and marketing & communications personnel, The Curator will coordinate programs and participate in publicity and fundraising events in support of the Museum, with development personnel, the Curator will assist in cultivation of collectors and donors, write content for grants in support of curatorial and educational and engagement programs, and support the museum travel program. The Curator will act as an editor to ensure the professional presentation of the Museum and its programs in public media.

 Administrative: The Curator will provide immediate supervision to curatorial staff, as well as relevant interns, volunteers, contractors, couriers, and guest curator(s). The Curator will create and administer departmental budgets, hold regular planning meetings, and attend staff meetings. The Curator will represent the Museum at social and civic events and serve on committees or panels and attend meetings as demanded by the position and will attend conferences, lectures, and visit museums, artists’ studios, and dealers.

 All other duties as assigned by the CEO.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements: M.A. in art history or M.F.A in fine arts, with proficiency in American and European art. No less than five years curatorial experience in an art museum with a record of exhibitions and publications. Basic knowledge of Gallery System’s TMS software preferred. A demonstrated ability to write effectively, including reports, scholarly articles, business correspondence, and schedules. Proven skills in public speaking including the ability to respond to questions from trustees, dealers, vendors, staff, and the public. Experience managing staff and budgets. The work requires standing, sitting, use of stairs, and possibly moving items of moderate weight. Some evening and weekend work and overnight travel is required.

 Full-time Exempt position