Occupational Summary
The Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher Curator of Contemporary Art works closely with the Director and Chief Curator to conceptualize and implement curatorial programming of contemporary art. Reporting to the Chief Curator and working with members of the curatorial team, this candidate participates in the oversight of exhibition and collections programs, the organization of original exhibitions with accompanying publications, and the recommendation of acquisitions. The candidate may assist in the supervision of the curatorial department staff and student interns, as well as members of the collection management team. Additionally, this position helps to oversee care of the collection while also working closely with various departments within the institution including Marketing and Engagement, Development and Education. Other responsibilities include assisting with donor stewardship, representing the museum at professional meetings inside and outside Duke, and executing other administrative duties as assigned by Director and Chief Curator.
Administration
- Work with members of the museum team to shape museum policies
- Train and supervise curatorial staff; conduct annual performance reviews (dependent upon experience)
- Assist with the creation of annual curatorial budgets
- Represent curatorial interests and participate on internal and external Boards
- Work with Exhibition Manager and Registrar to assist with legal contracts for exhibition venues, guest curators, artist commissions and residencies
- Participate in programming and staff meetings; serve on search committees for Nasher staff
- Help generate and participate in public programs and other events, as needed
- Work with Education, Development, and Engagement staff to produce materials to promote, publicize, and interpret exhibitions and public programs.
Curatorial
- Work with the curatorial team along with input from other departments to envision a creative curatorial program including organizing exhibitions, conducting research, and developing dynamic programming
- Produce catalogues, brochures for exhibitions or collection
- Negotiate loans for exhibitions and requests for loans from collection
- Research, write, edit wall texts and labels or supervise production in collaboration with curatorial and education staff
- Act as coordinating curator for guest-curated or other temporary exhibitions and/or supervise coordinating curator
- Assist in planning exhibition design, installation, programming, and marketing strategy
- Work with education and curatorial departments to help train gallery guides
- Assist in identifying and securing exhibition venues for traveling exhibitions
- With other members of the curatorial department, oversee installation of permanent collection galleries
- With Director and curatorial team, develop strategy for building the collection and recommend acquisitions, write justifications (with curatorial team) and present to Collections Committee of Board of Advisors
- Oversee proposed artist commissions
- Assist with solicitation of funds for acquisitions in conjunction with Director, Chief Curator and Development Director
- Conduct public lectures on exhibitions and collection; build outreach to local, regional and national and international communities for audience development
- Oversee or supervise coordination of artist residencies, including facilitating visits between the artist and Duke classes across disciplines, in consultation with academic initiatives and curatorial staff
- Build and maintain relationships with artists, dealers, curators, directors, critics and writers
- Work with registrars and curators to consider works in permanent collection needing conservation. Manage and oversee conservation projects from start to finish.
Donor Development/ Fundraising
- Develop and maintain relationships with collectors, donors, private funders and foundations
- Communicate directly with national Board of Advisors regarding collection, exhibitions, publications, programs
- Represent the museum at national and international art fairs, biennials, exhibition openings and other contemporary art world events
- Visit private collections, create development reports
- Assist Development Director and direct staff in writing grants for curatorial projects
- Participate in donor and Duke Alumni events, as well as museum membership activities and events
- Attend Friends Board meetings as needed
University Engagement
- Guest lecture in University classes
- Lecture, and/or participate in Concentration in Museum Theory and Practice courses
- Oversee student interns with curatorial department
- Assist interns pursuing jobs in outside museums and galleries and advise students interested in museum careers
- Participate in Faculty Advisory Committee meetings as needed
- Attend important University events and internal Duke meetings as needed
Experience Required:
Work requires a Master’s degree in art history or related field and at least five years museum or art world experience. The candidate should be familiar with museum practices and the coordination of exhibitions. The position requires a strong orientation toward collaborative work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, and the ability to work both autonomously and collectively as needed. Superb writing and communication skills, ability to work effectively with artists, university community, donors, and various museum constituents. Commitment to developing projects that engage the collection and museum’s mission, as well as to fostering a workplace culture of collaboration, diversity, and inclusion required. Foreign language helpful.
