Stimulating community engagement forms one of the Spencer Museum’s four strategic directions. Key goals include:
- Co-develop rich content and socially relevant programs and exhibitions with local and statewide community members;
- Expand inclusive opportunities for communities across Kansas and beyond to experience Museum resources;
- Sustain the Spencer Museum as a valued resource through innovation, responsiveness, and strategic communications;
- Use the collection to proactively investigate enduring questions through exhibitions, programs, and digital initiatives.
As a scholar, educator, and advocate who is passionate about art and its role in civic and community life, the Curator will elevate the Museum’s commitment to communities locally and statewide. This position will support, advance, expand and bring new imagination, knowledge, and experiences to a strong foundation of creative and embedded community engagement at the Spencer Museum of Art. The person in this position will lead with an integrated curatorial and pedagogical vision to create greater relevance and accessibility to a public-centered practice.
The Curator will bring both expertise and an eagerness to learn and participate in new areas and forms of inquiry, contributing to creative and intellectual growth and expanding institutional practices. A community builder, the Curator will foster a welcome, collegial, and highly collaborative environment for coworkers and publics, contributing to productive workflows and the flourishing of ideas. Additionally the Curator will have an adaptive leadership role, actively participating in a changing art museum environment to advance equity and strengthen institutional capabilities. To these ends, the Spencer Museum seeks an intellectually curious and highly creative professional with an openness and flexibility for experimentation and demonstrated commitment to accessibility and inclusion, collaboration, and interdisciplinarity.
The Curator will join and play an active role in both the public practice team, which includes education and interpretation, visitor experience and public programs, and the curatorial/academic staff team, which includes curatorial, academic programs, research, and conservation. Reporting to the Marilyn Stokstad Director and with oversight of the public practice team, the person in this role serves as part of senior management, representing the interests and pursuits of education, public practice, and community partnerships.
The Spencer Museum of Art especially encourage individuals with disabilities, people of color, and LGBTQAI+ individuals to apply.
Due to COVID restrictions, this position will begin teleworking and may transition to on-site work when deemed safe and necessary.
