Curator, Native American Art at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Job Title: Curator, Native American Art

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Kansas City, MO

Salary: $83,000 – $93,300

Description

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art invites all people to explore the art in its care, and through its vast collections, the depths, and complexities of human experiences.
 
We strive to create a sense of belonging, where staff and volunteers can do meaningful work connecting people to art. We create an informed, invested group of staff and volunteers through shared values and open, direct, and respectful communication. We embrace IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Sustainability) in every aspect of our ideals and aspirations, as we believe these values to be paramount to success.
 
Each staff member and volunteer will embody the institution’s commitments and agrees to exhibit behaviors that align with them. We hold one another to these expectations so that, together, we may know, own, energize and sustain our culture and the institution for generations to come.
 
Curator, Native American Art
Reporting to the Deputy Director, Curatorial Affairs, the Curator, Native American Art, is responsible for research, exhibition, documentation, preservation, and growth of the Native American art collection. The Curator is responsible for the permanent collection, gallery installations, and generating original exhibitions related to their expertise and collection area and serves as a member of a larger cross-institutional teams including, but not limited to, curatorial, exhibition-related, outreach, development, and educational museum projects.
 
**Preference in filling this role will be given to qualified, Native American candidates enrolled in a federally recognized tribe.**
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  1. Collection: Assists and advises the Director and CEO and Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs on matters concerning the collection, their documentation, care, and disposition and exhibitions of Native American art in all media.
  2. Special Exhibitions: Conceptualizes and organizes exhibitions and collections installations in all media that place the collection in cultural and historical contexts. Acts as venue/presenting curator for incoming traveling exhibitions related to collections area.
  3. Collection Acquisition: Works to develop collections with area, national and international collectors to strengthen the museum’s collection through gifts and purchases. Liaises with artists, galleries, and lenders to commission work or secure loans for exhibitions. Follows the art market and maintains dealer relations for new acquisitions; conducts research for possible purchases and/or gifts. Presents proposed acquisitions and deaccessions to the Director and CEO and Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs.
  4. Research: Catalogues and conducts research on Native American art collections—collaborating with other curatorial departments including African Art; American Art; Architecture, Design and Decorative Arts; Contemporary Art; East Asian Art; European Arts; Modern Art; Photography; and South and Southeast Asian Art, as well as Registration department; updates document files and insurance valuation. Works with Conservation department on the care of works.
  5. Donor Relationships: Supports the Director and Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs, as well as Development Department in promoting relationships with donors and collectors.
  6. Tours/Lectures: Conducts tours and lectures on the permanent collections and installations for the public, museum docents, donors, the media, and community groups.

 

Requirements

Education/Experience
  • Master’s Degree in Art History, Native American Studies, Anthropology, or related field required, PhD preferred.  
  • Five + years’ previous curatorial experience, ideally in a collecting institution
  • Language ability: proficiency (reading, writing and speaking) in at least one other language than English desired.
  • Museum experience building and working with collections.
  • Record of creating, organizing, installing, and writing essays and labels for special exhibitions respectful of all deadlines.
  • Experience producing projects in a timely manner, respecting budgets.
  • Demonstrated record of scholarship and leadership in acquisitions, exhibitions, and publications.
Core Capabilities
  • Emotional Intelligence: High EQ (emotional intelligence) with experience managing and building positive relationships with cross-functional teams.
  • Inclusion: Including and integrating all people and groups; respecting people from all backgrounds and cultures; understanding, accepting, and valuing differences between people
  • Curatorial Practices: Understanding of curatorial practices and methodology.
  • Museum Ethics: Knowledge and understanding of museum ethics and principles.
  • Communication Skills: Ability to interact professionally with all levels of internal staff and with external stakeholders. Strong interpersonal communication skills; diplomatic and collaborative work style. Excellent public speaking skills and ability to work with multiple audiences.
  • Organization Skills: Ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines, and handle numerous assignments concurrently.
  • Leadership and Diplomacy: Possess excellent diplomacy and leadership skills and the ability to effectively collaborate with and motivate a larger project team to meet quality expectations. Highly effective as a team member.
  • Relationship Management: Excellent relationship management skills with proven ability to quickly earn the trust of key stakeholders, mobilize and motivate others, set direction, and approach, and resolve conflict.
  • Financial Acumen: Maintains and applies a broad understanding of financial management principles to ensure decisions are fiscally sound and responsible.
  • Engagement: Ability and willingness to engage with and connect to a wide range of audiences and donors/stakeholders.
  • Technical Acumen: Well versed in technology and/or the ability to identify the technologies that have impact on the growth and sustainability of the museum and to attain the knowledge required to leverage the power of those technologies in the daily job.

Apply via AAM

Position Specifications

Job Family: Curatorial- Native American Collection

Salary Grade: 9 ($83, 000- $93,300 per year)

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Work Schedule

Monday -Friday: 9 am to 5 pm Occasional donor meetings outside of office hours. 

10% – 25% travel required

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department.