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  September 27, 2021 Dallas, USA
Chief Curator, Jobs No deadline

Chief Curatorial and Research Officer

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Job Type
Full-time
Description
Reports to: Eugene McDermott Director
Department: Curatorial and Research
Classification: Exempt, Full-time, Full Museum Benefits
Salary: Commensurate with experience
Location: Based in Dallas, TX

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:

Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country and is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation, and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses more than 25,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. Located in the heart of the nation’s largest arts district, the Museum welcomes some 800,000+ visitors annually and acts as a catalyst for community creativity, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming, from exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events, and dramatic and dance presentations. The DMA has a free general admission policy.

For more information, visit DMA.org. The Dallas Museum of Art is supported, in part, by the generosity of Museum Partners and donors and by the citizens of Dallas through the City of Dallas Office of Arts & Culture and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

DMA Mission: The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive.

The DMA will:

  • Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate.
  • Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art.
  • Strengthen their position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity.

ABOUT THE POSITION:
The Chief of Curatorial and Research is a key member of the Museum’s executive team and oversees the Museum’s curatorial, conservation, and libraries and archives functions. This role actively drives and supports the mission and artistic program of the Dallas Museum of Art and serves as an advocate of the Museum locally, nationally, and internationally with integrity and professionalism. This position leads the efforts to build, present, care for, and conserve the Museum’s collections (including the library and archives), and is responsible for the support and content of exhibitions and related efforts. The Chief of Curatorial and Research manages the Curatorial, Conservation, and Libraries and Archives areas and all aspects of their operations, working in a collegial manner to build trust and respect in a team-centric department and throughout the Museum.

The Chief of Curatorial and Research is a highly visible role for the Museum and will work to deepen relationships with current donors and trustees and will also be instrumental in cultivating and stewarding new relationships. The position provides active leadership in research aspects of the Museum’s operations and is a partner to the Museum’s executive team on strategic planning, various key relationships, and planning for the Museum’s future.

The Chief of Curatorial and Research works closely with the executive team, including the Director, Deputy Director, Director of Education, Chief Development Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, and Chief of Staff. This position directly supervises a team of curators, conservators, and library and archives staff covering all areas of the Museum’s collection. The Chief Curator directs scholarship efforts, as well as the archiving of information associated with the art for future generations. The Chief of Curatorial and Research works closely with the Committee on Collections and the Board of Trustees. The Chief of Curatorial and Research position will not have a focused curatorial area and is considered an administrative role leading the Curatorial and Research department, providing guidance and collegial mentorship to the team. This position will be essential in building and supporting the team to create a cohesive working experience in alignment with the Museum’s Core Values.

Requirements
Essential Functions:

  • Under the leadership of the Director, actively works to realize the Museum’s mission.
  • Serves as a member of the executive team and plays an active role in furthering the goals and programs of the Museum.
  • Leads by example and mentors the team according to the highest standards and best practices, always placing the Museum’s objectives and goals as the guiding principle.
  • Provides dynamic leadership and direction for the Curatorial and Research department, both internally and externally, to maintain the aesthetic and intellectual quality and administrative efficiency of programs.
  • Directs scholarship efforts, as well as the archiving of information associated with the art for future generations.
  • Works with the Director and Exhibitions and Interpretation department to support the team in creating compelling exhibitions and strategies and processes to rotate, deinstall, and reinstall the permanent collection.
  • Under the leadership of the Director and in collaboration with the Collections department, oversees the acquisitions program for the department with the goal of enhancing and deepening the range and quality of the collection through purchases and gifts.
  • Oversees the development, implementation, and updating of the Museum’s Collection Plan, in collaboration with the Collections department.
  • Develops and strengthens collegial relationships with museum colleagues, the community of artists, dealers, professional organizations, collectors, trustees, and friends of the Museum in order to enhance the DMA’s position and relevance locally, nationally, and internationally.
  • Allocates, approves, and supervises budgets and resources for the Curatorial and Research department.
  • Collaborates on interdepartmental initiatives to develop projects of the highest quality and ensures they are within projected budgets and meet deadlines.
  • Collaborates with the Education department on programs and other cross-departmental initiatives.
  • Works with the Marketing and Communications team regarding digital content development, press relations, public appearances, among others.
  • Works with the Chief Development Officer regarding donor development and cultivation and encourages the development and cultivation of private collections within the community with the goal of enhancing the Museum’s holdings by partial, promised, and outright gifts or promises.
  • Under the leadership of the DMA Director, selects, supervises, develops, and evaluates the department staff and interns in accordance with HR guidelines.
  • Works with other departments to develop operative, exhibition, and program budgets and assists in monitoring and maintaining responsibility for the department and its projects.
  • Conforms to the AAMD code of ethics governing the art museum profession.

Education, Experience, and Certification:

  • M.A. or Ph.D. in art history or comparable field
  • 10+ years curatorial experience working in a museum or equivalent institution, with progressive supervisory, donor relations, and administrative experience
  • Demonstrated experience in developing major traveling exhibitions
  • History of significant scholarly exhibitions, publications, lectures, and participation in symposia, including exhibitions catalogues and essays
  • Knowledge of the international art market and network of international dealers, and record of significant acquisitions through gifts and purchases
  • Applied knowledge of professional museum principles, practices, and procedures
  • Knowledge of research tools and methodology

Key Qualifications:

  • Desire to work collaboratively on projects with internal and external teams
  • Ability and initiative to recommend solutions and solve problems
  • Familiarity with modern technologies and their application to the field
  • Ability to manage complex workloads and to meet deadlines under pressure
  • Self-directed and motivated
  • Very flexible, helpful, and positive
  • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate diplomatically and effectively at all levels, both internally and with external contacts.
  • Love of art in its many forms and a willingness to collaborate cross-departmentally.

Our Core Values

Act with Integrity: Be open, honest, and ethical.
Communicate Openly: Be constructive, transparent, and respectful.
Build Inclusivity: Diverse backgrounds make us stronger.
Join Forces: Support collaboration and unity.
Work Passionately: Be fearless, creative, and solutions driven.
Embrace and Drive Change: Be nimble, there is always a way to yes.
Invest in Each Other: Pursue learning.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally.

Equity

Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all.

Diversity

Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity.

Inclusion

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture.

EOE

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.