Curator of Native American Art at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Museum at Colorado College

Job Title: Curator

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Salary:  $49,578.00 – $65,691.00

Description

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College (CSFAC) welcomes applications for the full-time position of Curator of Native American Art. The CSFAC Museum is committed to an ongoing re-examination of the art of what we now call the Americas. This position will play an essential role in that investigation, generating scholarship and understanding of Native American art and shaping frameworks that support our curatorial approach.

Approximately one-third of the Museum’s collection is composed of Native American works from the pre-historical to the contemporary (Pueblo, Plains, Plateau, and Great Basin cultures). The successful candidate will endeavor to bring diverse perspectives to bear on these works, explore their relationship to contemporary practice, and put them into dialogue with other areas of the Museum’s collection and program. 

Drawing on the intellectual and cultural landscape at Colorado College, the Pikes Peak Region, broader Southwest region, and beyond, the Curator of Native American Art will help build enduring relationships with Native communities and others to support this work and ensure its relevance to the Museum’s publics and place.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Conduct research, writing, and engagement opportunities that illuminates the Museum’s collection of Native American work and expand its interpretative possibilities; improve and maintain collections records, object and donor files; correspond and confer with scholars, specialists, consultants and the public regarding all aspects of the Museum’s collection of Native American work and related programs; disseminate findings through publications, lectures, gallery talks, labels, web-based media, and other forms of communication.
  • Conceive, propose, plan, and deliver ambitious, rigorous, and thought-provoking art exhibitions from the permanent collection as well as other institutions, lenders, and artists; develop budget estimates; correspond with lenders; coordinate exhibition production with other personnel; assemble data and photographs; prepare labels and interpretative materials, research and write catalogues and brochures, conduct select tours, training/educational sessions, and public programs such as artist talks and exhibition opening events.
  • In partnership with the Museum team support the development of collaborative and inclusive curatorial strategies for the installation and interpretation of the permanent collection. Strategies will foreground partnership with representatives of the Museum’s diverse publics.
  • Develop and implement long-term goals and objectives for the collection of Native American work through acquisitions that include gifts, bequests, and purchases; make recommendations for development and refinement of the collection; make recommendations on the loan of the Museum’s objects requested by other institutions.
  • Coordinate with Head of Collections, other staff members, and consulting conservators to assure the conservation and care of art on view and in storage.
  • In partnership with the curatorial and collections teams, alongside independent consultants, and other partners, support the Museum’s ongoing efforts in relationship to NAGPRA compliance.
  • Sustain and build tribal relationships and partnerships with Native American scholars, artists, and others to inform Museum practice and support community-building across networks.
  • Contribute to the intellectual and cultural life of Colorado College by supporting and cultivating curricular and co-curricular activities in conjunction with Museum collections and exhibitions.
  • Supervise and organize the work of staff, junior staff, and interns as directed.
  • Nurture and develop strong donor relations on behalf of the CSFAC/CC, participate in fundraising efforts, and cultivate gifts of art.
  • Attend organizational and community functions and meetings, representing and advocating for the CSFAC/CC Museum and promoting Colorado College’s strategic goals; present to the board as requested; communicate sensitively and effectively to diverse audiences fostering goodwill among the museum’s members and guests as well as board members, donors, media contacts, and the city’s civic leaders and organizations.
  • Collaborate with the CSFAC/CC departments including Communications and Marketing to develop messaging and PR campaigns for exhibitions, for the museum, and for the CSFAC/CC.
  • Promote an environment and relationships with the campus community and FAC users that will reflect inclusion and respect for diversity and equitable practices.
  • Prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of programming, communications and staffing.
  • Actively support the college’s commitment to be an antiracist institution by understanding, engaging with, and promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in the college community.
  • Promote a culture of safety and environmental protection by working in a safe manner; immediately reporting unsafe situations and accidents; following college procedures; and participating in appropriate safety training.
  • Demonstrate environmental sustainability by using college resources wisely and supporting the college’s sustainability initiatives and innovation.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master’s degree in an art and/or humanities discipline with a focus on Native American art, or equivalent experience.
  • Minimum of three years curatorial or related experience working with Native American Art in a cultural organization.
  • Understanding of current curatorial and collections practices in relationship to Native American art including provenance and NAGPRA work.
  • Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of Native American Art, particularly from the Southwest region, including knowledge of historic work.
  • Commitment to inclusive and collaborative curatorial approaches and proven ability to create imaginative exhibitions with both scholarly and broad public appeal.
  • Familiarity with collections care and handling.
  • Proven ability to build partnership with Native American communities and a commitment to public and academic engagement.
  • Excellent project management skills, including ability to plan and organize multiple projects, prioritize duties, meet deadlines, manage budgets, and work effectively both as part of a team and independently.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, collaborative and intellectually adventurous.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and develop positive relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds.
  • Desire and ability to work with a wide range of audiences and stakeholders.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Curatorial experience at an academically affiliated organization.
  • Record of successful scholarship and publications (e.g. exhibition catalogues, articles in scholarly journals, conference presentations).

Significant art acquisitions experience and knowledge of art markets.

To Apply:

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