Curator of Native American Art, History, and Culture

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Position title: Thomas G. and Susan C. Hoback Curator of Native American Art, History, and Culture
Department: Curatorial
Status: Full time, exempt
Reporting relationship: Vice President and Chief Curatorial Officer

The Eiteljorg Museum is accepting resumes and applications for the position of Thomas G. and Susan C. Hoback Curator of Native American Art, History, and Culture.

The Curator of Native American Art, History, and Culture is an active scholar, contributing to the field through exhibits, public presentations, and publications. This includes working with the Native American collections; researching and developing exhibitions and related programs; and building strong, active, and ongoing relationships with Native communities. The endowed position is also responsible for implementing and managing the museum’s Great Lakes Initiative, a key element of the institutional strategic plan. While the museum’s Native American content and efforts remain broadly inclusive of all the cultures of North America, we seek to establish the museum as a leader in exhibits, programs, and publications about the art, history, and cultures of our own Middle West/Great Lakes region. As an integral member of the curatorial team, the position supports and collaborates with other departments in fulfilling the museum’s mission “to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history, and cultures of the American West and the Indigenous peoples of North America”.

To Apply:

Resumes should be sent to personnel@eiteljorg.com, faxed to (317)275-1430 or mailed to Eiteljorg Museum, Attn: Dir. of HR, 500 W Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Responsibilities:

Establish, strengthen and expand partnerships with Native American tribes of the region and their cultural centers and historic preservation offices;
Connect Indigenous and other researchers with collection resources and work with tribal communities to facilitate access to their cultural heritage;
Develop partnerships with institutions and collectors, including those that hold Great Lakes materials;
Work with public programs and education staff to develop the definitive curriculum on Great Lakes Native cultures for use by teachers statewide;
Establish new partnerships and expand existing ones with academic institutions and consortia in the region;
Conduct and publish research, and present at conferences on behalf of the museum;
Seek new national and other funding sources to support initiatives;
Work independently and in partnership with other curatorial staff to develop exhibitions.
Present and participate in public programs, curatorial talks, and museum guide training;
Research and propose acquisitions and deaccessions in support of the collecting plan and the Great Lakes Initiative;
Work with the Collections Information Specialist and the museum’s database TMS (The Museum System) to provide culturally appropriate attributions and contextual information;
Collaborate with the Associate Curator of Native American art and the Manager of Special Events and Artist Engagement in the selection and verification of artists and judges, and selection of purchase prize award winner(s) for annual Indian Market.
Work with the Associate Curator of Native American art to support the Native American Advisory Council through meeting facilitation, maintaining communication, and implementing Council recommendations;
Serve as institutional diplomat in working with Native peoples, and work to insure that institutional policies and practices reflect
Indigenous perspectives and are in alignment with cultural practices;
Be a resource for and provide support to the Native American community at the local, regional, and national level through public outreach and service;
Fulfill administrative responsibilities including budget and deadline management, record keeping, responding to public inquiries, and following up with potential donors and tribal requests.

REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements/Qualifications:

Graduate degree in arts or humanities such as history, art history, Native American studies, anthropology or related subject, Ph.D. preferred;
Minimum of five years’ relevant experience in a museum, gallery or educational setting;
Extensive knowledge of Native North American history and the
Indigenous peoples of the Great Lakes region;
Demonstrated experience with Native American art and engagement with Indigenous communities;
Excellent research, writing, and organizational skills;
Ability to multi-task and work independently or as part of a team;
Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to audience engagement and public outreach;
Ability to travel as needed.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

Support the Eiteljorg Museum’s mission, goals, values, and implementation of the museum’s strategic plan;
Contribute to building a positive team spirit and cooperative atmosphere with co-workers;
Follow museum and department policies and procedures; maintain records, and live up to commitments including completion of tasks accurately and on time;
Participate in acquisitions committee and collections council activities;
Maintain proficiency in all computer-related programs to perform job duties;
Adhere to safe work procedures;
Value and appreciate others’ knowledge and skills;
Have a sense of humor.

Physical Demands:

Ability to enter data into a computer;
Ability to perform delicate operations when handling fragile items;

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A DIVERSE STAFF OF DEDICATED AND PASSIONATE PEOPLE: The Eiteljorg Museum seeks to attract, recruit and support a diverse staff of talented people. We offer competitive packages and practice equal opportunity employment policies. In this section, find listings for any open positions.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM: Located in White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is a major cultural institution that has developed a national reputation for excellence. The Eiteljorg Museum shares the art, history and diverse cultures of Native America and the American West in all their diversity and complexity. As a 501c3 nonprofit, the Eiteljorg Museum conducts compelling art exhibitions and engaging programs for the public. In 2019, the museum celebrated 30 years of telling amazing stories.