The Yale Center for British Art seeks a Curator of Paintings and Sculpture with an exceptional record of exhibitions, publications and acquisitions to oversee the museum’s Department of Paintings and Sculpture. International in scope, the Center’s collection of paintings and sculpture ranges from the Tudor period to the present day and is especially strong in the period 1750 – 1850. The Center’s holdings of works by George Stubbs, J. M. W. Turner, and John Constable are among the most important in the world.
The Curator of Paintings and Sculpture joins the Center’s curatorial staff at a pivotal moment for the museum. Reporting to the Deputy Director and Chief Curator and serving as a key member of the Curatorial Division, the Curator of Paintings and Sculpture brings creativity and vision to the collections and proposes timely and engaging projects that promote the Center’s holdings nationally and internationally. Working collaboratively with the larger Curatorial Division, the Curator of Paintings and Sculpture initiates a dynamic and rigorous program of collection displays, loan exhibitions, publications, website projects, and interpretative strategies that contribute to the visibility of the Center’s holdings and increase audience engagement. The Curator of Paintings and Sculpture will promote use of the collection in teaching and will engage with faculty and students in identifying works relevant for classes.
The Curator of Paintings and Sculpture manages the Department and the stewardship of the collection, including: creating a comprehensive plan for cataloguing and digitizing the collection for the online catalog; leading or overseeing relevant cataloguing, research, and website projects; leading any major collection projects in close collaboration with other curators, registrars, and conservators; working closely with the Conservation Department to develop protocols for collections care and conservation priorities; assessing and making recommendations on evolving storage needs.
Under the direction of the Deputy Director and Chief Curator, the Curator of Paintings and Sculpture develops a strategic plan for collections development and is responsible for initiating research and making recommendations for acquisitions and gifts. The successful candidate will be an exemplary collaborator, possess deep knowledge in one or more areas relevant to the collection, and have a proven record of curatorial and scholarly expertise.
Essential Duties
1. Manages the care, preservation, and expansion of the collection. Decides on the organization and housing of the collection, selects objects for permanent exhibitions, and determines conservation priorities. 2. Create an exhibition plan that exhibits objects in relationships that display cultural context and art historical importance. Initiates special exhibits. Manages the organization, financing, execution, installation and publication of exhibits. 3. Recommends acquisitions for the collection which includes judging authenticity, condition, significance, market value, and importance for teaching. 4. Supervises the efficient physical storage systems for the collection. 5. Initiates the scholarly cataloging of objects in the collection. 6. Recommends which object can be loaned; approve loan requests from other museums. 7. Directs research on objects in the collection 8. Writes books on the collection and catalogues for exhibitions. 9. Plans and teaches courses in the appropriate discipline 10. Fundraises and drafts grant proposals for the collection. 11. Prepares gallery talks, classes and public lectures. Represents Yale to the outside community to promote the collection and solicit gifts. 12. Supervises the efficient physical storage systems for the collection 13. Formulates and establishes policy related to the collection. 14. May perform other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience
Master’s Degree in Art History and five years of curatorial experience or an equivalent education and experience.
Required Skill/Ability 1:
In-depth knowledge and evidence of scholarship in the history of British art. General knowledge of the history of art and museum practices.
Required Skill/Ability 2:
Demonstrate independence and willingness and ability to be self-directed. Ability to take initiative, anticipate actions needed, and to exercise discretion and independent judgment.
Required Skill/Ability 3:
Proven record of curatorial and scholarly achievement, including the development of exhibitions, publications, and acquisitions.
Required Skill/Ability 4:
Excellent writing skills; ability to write in an accessible language for a variety of audiences. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Demonstrate ability as an effective collaborator both within the department, across the Center, in the larger university community and in the wider field of art museums.
Required Skill/Ability 5:
Ability and interest to work collaboratively with internal and external curators, conservators, artists, and educators. Demonstrate ability to conduct original research, to write clearly, and to communicate effectively to diverse audiences.
Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:
PhD in Art History preferred.
