Associate Curator at DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the University of Maryland
Job Title: Assistant Curator
Job Status: Full-time
Location: Charleston, SC
Salary: $52,000 – $55,000
Description
The International African American Museum – scheduled to open in Summer 2023 – seeks an Associate Curator to help advance our mission as we work to establish a world-class museum.
Recruitment and Application Process:
Interested applicants are asked to apply online via Indeed.com by submitting your resume AND answering the short answer questions requested. Resumes without answers to the short-answer questions may not be considered. A cover letter is optional.
About the International African American Museum
Located on one of the most sacred sites of African American history, the International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, SC is a museum, memorial center, and site of conscience that commemorates the foundational role Africans and their descendants played in the making of America. It will be one of the most important historical and cultural institutions in the country – presenting critical history and programming that will have a meaningful social impact. Visitors, both young and old, will encounter a place of exploration and inspiration, experiencing African American history and culture through our innovative exhibits, stunning African Ancestors Memorial Garden, and through genealogical research at our Center for Family History. Learn more about our organization at iaamuseum.org.
Position Summary
The Associate Curator is an integral member of the museum’s curatorial & exhibitions team. Reporting to the director of curatorial and special exhibitions, the associate curator will be skilled in both written and spoken word and must be an outstanding researcher able to contribute scholarship to the field.
Beyond that, the successful candidate will have the capacity to contemplate their work at the intersection of exhibitions and programs, engagement, and education. The successful candidate will be a strong advocate for the Museum and will be apt at cultivating relationships within the Learning and Engagement division, the museum and in the surrounding communities.
Research & Writing
- Assist in the coordination of scholarly reviews including films, interactives, and exhibit labels.
- Assist with graphic proofing and review of exhibition labels and text.
- Contribute to department-level planning and the formulation of new policies and procedures.
- Assists Director of Curatorial and Special Exhibitions in establishing goals and priorities in research and collecting while considering the needs and goals of the Museum.
- Contribute to the scholarship in the field; participate in national and international conferences
- Writing and editing interpretative texts and labels for physical and digital exhibitions.
- Develop content for and update the core exhibition’s digital interactives
Collections Management
- Explore new areas for collection development and expand on existing collection strengths.
- Work collaboratively with the curatorial team to deepen our artifact and object collections.
- Refine the artifact collection and make recommendations for acquisitions and deaccessions or movement to the education or museum prop collections.
Exhibitions
- Assist with digital exhibition content development.
- Assist with exhibition artifact installation.
- Contribute ideas in planning the exhibition schedule, including projects initiated by IAAM, exhibitions originating elsewhere, and off-site exhibitions.
- Organizes special exhibitions; working with other curators and L&E leadership, and other staff, where appropriate, to plan temporary/traveling exhibitions.
Interdepartmental Collaboration
- Collaborates with marketing department on exhibition-related inquiries.
- Point-person for intra-divisional exhibition related communications.
- Collaborates with members of the Education Department in creating programs to reach a wide range of audiences.
- Duties as assigned
Required Experience and Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in history or similar concentration; 3 years of equivalent experience with unrelated degree may be considered
- A minimum of two years’ experience working in a museum or similar cultural or educational environment
- Excellent research and writing skills
- Ability and commitment to work collaboratively with others
- Strong affinity for and proficiency in African American and African diasporic histories
- Capacity to work and thrive in a fluid and dynamic environment
Preferred Experience and Qualifications:
- Thinks holistically and strategically with a view that considers other departments and institutions
- Working knowledge of and interest in contemporary African diasporic studies
- Previous project management experience
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to lift 25 pounds at times.
- Must be able to access and navigate each area and space at the organization’s facilities.
The International African American Museum is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from women and racially underrepresented candidates. It is the policy of International African American Museum to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the IAAM will make reasonable accommodations to known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified applicant with a disability, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.
We seek to fill this position as soon as possible. Applicants who do not meet the stated qualifications listed in the posting will not be considered for the position. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to inquiries regarding the status of an application, or detailed information about positions.
Other Information:
- Full-time exempt position
- Start date: as soon as possible
- Benefits include: medical, dental, vision, 403B retirement contribution, paid vacation and sick leave, and a hybrid work policy
- Salary range $52,500-55,000