The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University seeks an Associate Curator to join its small, but dynamic, curatorial department. This is a unique position that will focus primarily on the Nasher’s historical collections and requires expertise in European art circa 1300-1900, as well as some familiarity with contemporary art. In addition to helping coordinate and manage exhibitions and related programming, this individual must think creatively and collaboratively about how to realize critical, trans-historical connections in the galleries. The curator in this position is an integral member of the museum’s curatorial team, reports to the Chief Curator, and also works closely with other departments including Academic Initiatives, Education, Marketing and Engagement, and Registrar.
Job Duties:
- Produce installations from the permanent collection and act as coordinating curator for exhibitions originating elsewhere and those guest curated by Duke faculty. Where relevant, create budgets, travel to other venues, liaise with exhibition curators and other museum and gallery professionals, review contracts, negotiate loans, create floor plans, contribute to grant applications, seek out travel venues for Nasher shows, and give presentations.
- Undertake major object-based art historical research in libraries, special collections, and online resources related both to the exhibition program and to the collections. Provide updated information for curatorial files and TMS. Facilitate and support research on the collection by faculty, students, and outside researchers.
- Work with an inter-departmental team to review and ensure ongoing ethical stewardship and best practices with regard to institutional collecting. Research objects with potential Nazi-Era provenance issues in the permanent collection and proposed acquisitions. Post objects on NEPIP and Art Loss Register. Coordinate with Registrars to post relevant works on eMuseum site. Perform general provenance research on the permanent collection, maintaining records for object files. Publish and/or publicly share findings when possible.
- Write and edit gallery text for own exhibitions, including labels, introductory texts, and relevant didactic materials. Continuously reconsider, research, and rewrite texts for the permanent collection as they relate to new initiatives, installations, and the museum’s evolving priorities. Edit curatorial content, including web text and labels, for all exhibitions and provide feedback on text by other departments (ex: Education, Academic Initiatives).
- Develop and coordinate exhibition programming. Work closely with scholars, community members, and living artists. Facilitate visits, introduce speakers, and assist at relevant programs/events with Nasher staff.
- Work with Education, Development, and Engagement staff to produce materials to promote, publicize, and interpret exhibitions and public programs.
- Work with curatorial and other departments to identify deaccessioning priorities. Research and propose lists for deaccession according to best practices.
- Seek out and facilitate acquisitions and donations to the permanent collection, particularly works that bridge the Nasher’s historical and contemporary collections.
- Attend Board of Advisors meetings and present relevant proposed acquisitions and exhibitions. Write board meeting materials, including justifications.
- Work with Exhibitions and Publications Manager and curators on relevant aspects of catalogues related to own or coordinated exhibitions.
- Work with Registrars and curators to consider works in permanent collection needing conservation. Manage and oversee conservation projects from start to finish.
- Supervise departmental interns and occasionally contribute to Concentration in Museum Theory and Practice through guest lecturing or co-teaching.
Education/Training:
Master’s degree in art history or related field required and five years related museum experience.
Experience Required:
- Familiarity with museum practices, especially related to the ethical stewardship of collections, and the coordination of exhibitions.
- 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 university community, artists, and various museum constituents necessary.
- 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.
