Exhibitions Curator at the American Philosophical Society

Job Title: Exhibitions Curator

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Salary: $60,000

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Description

The American Philosophical Society’s Library & Museum seeks to hire an Exhibitions Curator to join a collaborative team at the APS’s Museum.

TO APPLY

Apply at- https://apply.interfolio.com/143418

THE POSITION

The American Philosophical Society’s Museum mounts yearly thematic exhibitions that showcase the extensive materials in the Society’s collections. The Exhibitions Curator is responsible for planning, developing, and delivering interpretative exhibitions for broad audiences in the Museum Gallery located in historic Philosophical Hall. The position is expected to bring fresh interpretations to the Library & Museum collections to tell compelling and pertinent stories that have both historical and contemporary value.

The position works closely with a small but dedicated Museum staff. More broadly, they will work as an integral member of the Library & Museum staff who will support them in their professional growth, encourage their contributions, and provide opportunities for self-directed and collaborative work with other staff and external colleagues.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct research in the APS’s Library & Museum collections in preparation for each exhibition;
• Work both with APS content specialists and independently to select objects for exhibitions and develop thematic narratives;
• Write interpretive materials for non-scholarly audiences (exhibition labels and text panels, website text, blog posts, etc.);
• Participate in exhibition conservation meetings and exhibition design meetings;
• Work with the Education and Programming Department to develop and support exhibition-related education and programming needs;
• Periodically act as the public face of the exhibition (giving private tours, communicating with APS Membership, the public, and the press);
• Other Library & Museum projects as assigned.

This is a full-time, onsite position with benefits. The Society offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, 403b with employer match, and generous paid days off.

Salary: Full-time, exempt, $60,000

ABOUT THE APS

The American Philosophical Society (APS), the oldest learned society in the United States, was founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin for the purposes of “promoting useful knowledge.” In the 21st century, it serves to advance knowledge and promote scholarship in the humanities and social, mathematical, life, and physical sciences. Members of the Society are elected from among the most eminent scholars and civic and cultural leaders in North America and abroad. More than 100 living APS Members are Nobel laureates.

The APS’s Library & Museum collections make it among the premier institutions for documenting and exhibiting the history of the American Revolution and founding, the history of science from Newton to NASA, Native American languages and culture, and the development of American anthropology. The Library houses over 14 million manuscripts, 275,000 volumes and bound periodicals, 250,000 images, fine art, and other objects. Museum exhibitions interpret these extensive collections for the regional, national, and international visitors who come to Philadelphia’s historic district. In so doing, the exhibitions aim to nurture the spirit of inquiry, promote critical thinking, and engender enthusiasm for object-based learning by using primary source documents and authentic objects. The Library & Museum also hosts a robust fellowship program, offering over 25 short-term and 10 long-term fellowships each year to scholars using its collections.

For Further Information on Library & Museum Collections visit:

https://www.amphilsoc.org/library  and  https://amphilsoc.pastperfectonline.com/

Requirements

Qualifications