Margaret and Terry Stent Curator of American Art (Regular/Full-time)

Job Division: High Museum of Art

Department: Curatorial
Reports To: Senior Curator, American Art
FLSA: Exempt
Employment Status: Regular/Full-time

Please include a cover letter when applying for this position.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The High Museum of Art seeks an experienced and innovative curator with expertise in American art. The Curator will be responsible for the growth and development the Museum’s collection of American paintings, sculpture, drawings, and prints by academically trained artists working in the United States from the 17^th-century through the 1960s. This includes a demonstrated education in and experience with working with American art from the 19th and early 20^th centuries, a particular area of strength within the High’s holdings. In addition to conceiving, organizing, and managing American art exhibitions and installations, this Curator will be a key collaborator for a reimagining of the American galleries occasioned by the Museum’s Centennial in 2026. The High’s collaborative approach affords the new Curator an opportunity to chart new areas of growth as well as partner with regional and national colleagues in developing the Museum’s American art program. In addition to a dedicated interest and expertise in American art, the preferred candidate will also bring a balance of creativity and collaborative skills to the wider responsibilities of the position.

SALARY: $100,000

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm with travel and evening, weekend commitments as necessary.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
• Coordinating with the Senior Curator, American art, to plan and manage the development of the American art collections, exhibitions, and related curatorial programs;
• Develop and manage important, creative exhibition projects in the field, especially those that emphasize collection objects and/or strategic areas of collection development.

• • Demonstrate a clear commitment to an expanded definition of American art that will advance a greater integration of distinguishing dimensions of the High’s collection, including its Folk and Self-Taught and Decorative Arts holdings in collaboration with the Curators charged with those and other areas and encourage potential partnerships beyond.
  • Conceive, develop, and publish exhibition catalogues, scholarly articles, and related works, including digitally, via the High’s LiNK platform.
  • Maintain current knowledge of the art market and conceive and pursue strategic objectives of gifts, bequests, and purchases to develop and refine the American art holdings in accordance with international law, museum standards and ethics;
  • Regularly and effectively communicate and work with museum staff, trustees, colleagues, and others to enrich, expand, and otherwise facilitate the program of African art and to ensure that related content is accurately conveyed and represented;
  • Work with collections staff and the Atlanta Art Conservation Center to anticipate collections care and conservation needs for respective holdings;
  • Work collaboratively with education and interpretation staff to develop and produce interpretive strategies and accompanying materials for collections-based projects and special exhibitions, as well as conduct training for docents and provide new opportunities for community outreach;
  • In conjunction with program staff and others, help develop and participate in public programs on the collection and relevant special exhibitions;
  • Propose and lead programs for the museum’s Friends of American Art support group and otherwise foster and maintain good working relationships with existing and potential patrons, trustees, and museum colleagues across the country and abroad, as well as with the academic community, art dealers, and collectors;
  • As needed, serve as a mentor to Museum fellows, assistants, and interns;
• • Delegate admin and project-based tasks to the Department’s Curatorial Research Associates and Administrative Assistant and oversee their work.
  • Train and serve as a designated museum art courier as necessary;
  • Respond to scholarly and public inquiries related to the collection;
  • Represent the museum in professional associations and at symposia and other scholarly meetings and events;
  • Meet all responsibilities with the highest ethical and professional standards.

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:
• M.A. required; Ph.D. strongly preferred; degree in Art History, American Studies or equivalent studies;
• Minimum of five years of curatorial experience and knowledge of museum practices.
• Expertise with exhibition development and organization, including both national and international collaborations.
• Strong record of research, scholarship, and public speaking, with proven experience in organizing significant exhibitions and publications.
• Familiarity with new technologies and their impact upon the field.

Skills and Abilities:
• Exhibits effective communication, organizational and time-management skills.
• Must be resourceful, creative, flexible, and have the ability to work effectively and positively with other professional staff across multiple divisions in a highly collaborative environment.

• Must be committed to engaging diverse audiences in innovative and exciting ways.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an 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.
• Some standing, walking, bending, frequent use of hands, stooping and light lifting (at least 10 pounds) is needed.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Applicants should submit an updated c.v./resume as well as a cover letter that summarizes prior curatorial work, reflects knowledge of the High’s collection and exhibition program, and projects a vision for how they can uniquely move that program forward. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.  Please apply via the following link: 

https://woodruffcenter.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/woodruffcenter/details/Margaret-and-Terry-Stent-Curator-of-American-Art_2024-0061