Associate Curator of European Art, 1850-1950

POSITION TITLE/DEPARTMENT

Associate Curator of European Art, 1850-1950
European Art Department

CLASSIFICATION/GRADE/SALARY RANGE

Full-time, Exempt
Salary, commensurate with experience

GENERAL SUMMARY

The DIA seeks an Associate Curator to serve as a full-time member of the European Art Department (EAD).The candidate must have expertise in Modern European Painting and general knowledge of Modern European Sculpture and Decorative Arts. The Detroit Institute of Arts’ Modern European collection includes such historically significant works as Vincent van Gogh’s Self-Portrait (1887) and Henri Matisse’s The Window (1916), the first paintings by these artists to enter a U.S. museum.

Under the supervision of the Head of EAD, the Associate Curator will oversee all aspects of the collection of Modern European Art, including paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from 1850 to 1950. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, organizing special loan exhibitions; researching Nazi-era provenance of artworks; overseeing permanent gallery installations; recommending new works for acquisition; and co-leading and assisting with the DIA’s European Paintings Council (EPC), one of the department’s two auxiliary groups.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Compile information pertinent to the identification, documentation, or authentication of works of art and maintain appropriate object records in accordance with DIA data and archival standards;
• Maintain current knowledge of the art market in order to recommend objects for the permanent collection and develop acquisition proposals;
• Conduct original research on the museum’s art collection and publish in scholarly journals, catalogues, and books;
• Collaborate with the Collections Management staff in installing artworks that fall under the purview of his/her curatorial department;
• Work in close collaboration with the Conservation Department to regularly assess the conservation needs of the collection;
• Develop familiarity with the DIA’s Collections Management Policy and assist the Registrar’s Department in producing supporting documentation for accessioning and deaccessioning works of art;
• Participate in training to facilitate courier trips and serve as a designated museum courier when necessary;
• With guidance from head of EAD, work collaboratively with educators in the Learning and Interpretation Division to develop and produce interpretive strategies and accompanying materials for permanent gallery projects and special exhibitions, as well as conduct training for gallery teachers and docents to support DIA’s school and related programs;
• Participate in the day-to-day administration of the department, which includes responding to scholarly and public inquiries related to the collection;
• Act as staff liaison to the EPC and assist with organizing its activities and programs;
• Develop enrichments, including presentations and tours for members and museum visitors, to facilitate community outreach;
• Foster and maintain good working relationships with existing and potential patrons, trustees, and museum colleagues across the country and abroad, as well as with the academic community, art dealers, and collectors;
• Work effectively with various museum departments to ensure that content related to the art under his/her purview is accurately conveyed and represented in all museum print publications and other media;
• Represent the museum in professional societies and at symposia and other scholarly meetings and events.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in Art History preferred, with specialization in Modern European Art;
• At least five years of experience working in a university or museum setting;
• Reasonable familiarity with the activities and operations of a large art museum;
• Strong record of research and scholarship, with proven experience in organizing exhibitions and producing publications of high quality;
• Exceptional writing skills and public-speaking ability across diverse audiences;
• Proven ability to work effectively and positively with other professional staff in a highly collaborative environment;
• Proficiency in foreign languages, including strong knowledge of French. 

Interested applicants for this position must submit a cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae, and writing sample online at www.dia.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

THE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER