Curator of Exhibitions and Educational Outreach at the Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College – Museum Studies

Job Title: Curator of Exhibitions and Educational Outreach

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Durango, CO

Salary: $56,000 – $62,000

Description

Job Summary:

The Center of Southwest Studies shares the mission of Fort Lewis College to provide inclusive, experiential learning environments that foster innovation, growth, and community engagement. As an academic museum, archives, and library dedicated to the diverse cultures, histories, and environments of the Southwest, the Center provides collections-based learning opportunities and internships for undergraduate students, preserves and provides access to our research collections, and offers exhibits and educational programs for the College and the public.

The Curator is responsible for the interpretation of the museum’s collections through exhibitions, publications, educational programs, interpretive materials, and other forums. The Curator also coordinates the exhibition, interpretation, and promotion of loaned works that support the strategic mission of the College. This valued team member participates in educational outreach, long-range exhibition planning, and the management of exhibition budgets. They also assist the Center Director with donor stewardship and fundraising for museum exhibitions and programs.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Exhibitions and Museum

Responsible for all aspects of exhibition development, installation, maintenance, and marketing, from initial planning and research to assisting with the creation of promotional and interpretive materials.
- Coordinate individuals participating in exhibition preparation and installation, including Physical Plant staff, preparators, guest curators, and contracted staff.
- Develop and maintain a three to five-year exhibition schedule (to be approved by the Center Director) that demonstrates a commitment to the teaching and research mission of Fort Lewis College.
Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Center of Southwest Studies museum.
- Coordinate all aspects of museum visitor experience, which includes fielding general inquiries from the public, scheduling group visits, and ensuring accessibility for museum guests.

Educational Programming and Publications

Organize and execute educational programs, workshops, lectures, tours, and other events that complement the Center’s exhibitions.
Support experiential learning and the integration of museum collections into courses through collections-based research opportunities, lab-style course offerings, classroom presentations, and other activities.

Produce educational, interpretive, and promotional materials related to the Center’s exhibitions and collections.

Participate in the creation and distribution of Center publications.
Research, compile, and prepare written information about the Center’s exhibitions and collections for the institution’s website, social media, and other digital forums.
Produce and remediate digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 508.

Collections

Recommend acquisitions and collaborate with the Collections Manager and Director in developing a strategy for building the Center’s collections.
Consult with private collectors about gifts to the museum.
Work with Center Director and FLC Foundation to ensure accurate gift processing and acknowledgement of all collection donations.
Work with the Collections Manager to identify works in the permanent collection that are in need of conservation.
Assist the Collections Manager with the cataloging of objects and database maintenance as they relate to public access and interpretation.
Negotiate the transport of works and loans to and from the Center, working with the Collections Manager to ensure the appropriateness, safety, and condition of all objects.
Facilitate and supervise access to collections for exhibition, teaching, and research.

Administrative and Supervisory

Recruit, train, and supervise CSWS fellow, museum volunteers, and student employees, including work study students, student contractors, and interns.
Develop and manage exhibition budgets in coordination with the Center’s Director and Administrative Assistant.
Collaborate with the Center’s Director to identify, apply for, and manage grant funding for exhibition projects and related programming.
Assist Center Director with donor stewardship and the planning and execution of fundraising activities.
Participate in Center-wide planning, goal setting, and evaluation efforts.

Other

Interact with the public and campus community as a representative of the Center.
- Maintain and build the Center’s network of colleagues and partners (for exhibitions, programs, commissions, publications) with individuals across campus, artists, dealers, curators, directors, peer institutions, and others.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Education, Specialized Skills, and Experience:

BA in Museum Studies, Anthropology, History, Art History, or related field.
Minimum three years prior curatorial or equivalent experience.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities.
Evidence of excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Excellent problem solving, organizational, and project management skills. Adept at managing multiple priorities and stakeholders to effectively meet objectives and competing deadlines.
Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Proficiency with Excel, Word, and database/collections management software.
Ability and desire to contribute to the missions of the Center of Southwest Studies and Fort Lewis College.

Preferred Education, Specialized Skills, and Experience:

MA or PhD in Museum Studies, Anthropology, History, Art History, or related field.
Demonstrated knowledge of Southwestern and/or Indigenous culture, art, archaeology, ethnology, history, or politics.
Strong public speaking skills and ability to engage with the community, donors, and Center supporters.
Supervisory experience with student workers, contractors, and volunteers.
Ability to do work that is highly conceptual and requires a high degree of originality.
Ability to foster a collaborative and positive working environment.

Reports To / Supervisory Responsibility:

Reports to the Center of Southwest Studies’ Director. Supervises Center Fellow and student employees, including work study students, student contractors, and interns.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic).

Ability to work in a confined area, including basement spaces.

Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time.

Most work is performed in a museum environment of exhibit and storage areas, workroom/ laboratory, and offices. Occasional work with materials that are dusty may require the use of dust mask, gloves, or other protective devices.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone keyboard, and work with archival collections.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work and collections care.

Must be able to climb ladders and lift up to 50 lbs. (with or without reasonable accommodations).

Travel:

Variable local and out-of-state travel related to:

Collections acquisition and donor relations
Exhibition and collections loans
Professional development

FLSA Status/ Position Type/Expected Hours of Work/ and Salary Range:

Exempt
Full time, 1.0 FTE
Permanent
Full year / 12-month position
Typical work hours: 40-hours/week, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Occasional evenings and weekends required.
The salary range for this position is $56,000 to $62,000 per year, paid hourly, plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Application Process:

A complete application packet includes:

Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position
Details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to encourage a learning environment grounded in equity and inclusion. “How do you envision contributing to Fort Lewis College’s commitment to equity and inclusion?”
CV or Resume
Names and contact information for three current, professional references

Application materials received by September 17, 2023 will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until filled. The position start date can be flexible.

Application Submission Link:

https://fortlewiscollege.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/FLC/details/Curator-of-Exhibitions-and-Educational-Outreach_JR1270

Notice to Prospective Employees:
The Fort Lewis College is required by the Clery Act of 1990 to notify prospective employees, current employees, students, and applicants where to access our Campus Security Report. The report is updated and published annually in accordance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, Federal Student Right-to-Know, the Federal Drug-free Schools and Campuses Act of 1989. This report contains information about:

Fort Lewis College’s alcohol and other drug policy
Sexual assault policy
Campus security policies
Campus/community resources
The Colorado Riot Offense Statute restriction on enrollment
Where to find registered sex offender information
Crime statistics for the previous three calendar years
Reporting crimes

The Campus Security Report can be accessed in two ways:
1) By going to the internet website at: www.fortlewis.edu/AnnualSecurityReport.

2) Fort Lewis College Student Affairs Office will also provide a paper copy of the annual security report upon request. You can reach them at (970) 247-7331.

Equal Opportunity

Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.

To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?

Office of the Title 9 Coordinator

Kate Suazo

230 Skyhawk Station

1000 Rim Drive

Durango, Colorado 81301

(970) 247-6729 cmsuazo@fortlewis.edu