Curator | USA
Curator
Deadline: March 31, 2017
The Wolfsonian–Florida International University seeks an experienced curator to contribute to the interpretation and development of its singular and diverse collection of modern art and design. The core of The Wolfsonian’s 180,000 holdings is an extraordinary collection of decorative arts, fine arts, propaganda, architectural materials, and industrial and graphic design from the period 1850–1950.
The curator reports to the deputy director for collections and curatorial affairs, and will share responsibility for cataloging, researching, interpreting, publishing, and caring for the collection. The curator will participate in The Wolfsonian’s team approach to developing ambitious and provocative exhibitions, including interpretive planning, selecting objects from the collection or on loan, preparing labels and catalogs, as well as taking part in the development of related public and educational programs. On the immediate horizon is a project to reconceive and reinstall the permanent collections galleries, part of a plan to renovate the museum’s Miami Beach building for reopening in Fall 2020. The curator will be a key member of the reinstallation project team, while concurrently developing interim offsite installations and temporary exhibitions for 2020 and beyond.
Responsibilities will also include recommending objects for acquisition, identifying and cultivating donors for collection and exhibition development, participating in public programming, and conduct research and publish on the collections in their area of specialty. The successful candidate must thrive in a culture that values research, teamwork, intellectual exploration, and innovation in engaging a broad audience.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in material culture studies, design history, architectural history, art history or related field
- Expert knowledge in a significant aspect of The Wolfsonian’s collecting scope, with a capacity to learn quickly about other areas; expertise on the United States would be preferred, but is not required
- Minimum 5 years museum curatorial experience with a track record of innovative exhibitions, publications, and professional engagement
- Excellent written, communication and presentation skills, especially the ability to communicate complex concepts about visual and material culture to the full range of The Wolfsonian’s audiences
- Solid knowledge of museum best practices, especially in exhibition planning and execution, interpretation and visitor experience, collections care and documentation
- Knowledge of a foreign language related to The Wolfsonian’s collecting areas
- Strong commitment to collaboration and outreach with multiple constituencies
- Ability to flexibly handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines
- Solid work ethic, high level of professional integrity, positive attitude, and a sense of humor
- Demonstrated cultural, religious, race, gender, and age sensitivities and adaptabilities
- Proficiency in full range of office suites and preferably collections cataloging software
- Flexibility for working hours required to meet deadlines, for programming and events, and for local, national and international travel
START DATE
As soon as possible after July 1, 2017.
TO APPLY
To apply now click on the link http://hr.fiu.edu/pshr/index.php and search for Job Code 512981 and submit your resume, a one-page cover letter describing interest and experience, and the names of three references. The Wolfsonian–FIU can only consider applicants who complete the FIU online application process. Any inquiries, questions or suggestion of candidates can be sent to curator@thewolf.fiu.edu.
ABOUT THE WOLFSONIAN
The Wolfsonian was set in motion by a big vision – to illustrate the nexus between material artifacts and society by looking at objects as both agents and expressions of cultural, political, and technological changes. The collection is unique, vast, and varied. In its scope and range, it is among the most important collections in the world of the visual and material culture of the modern era. The collection addresses issues of mass politics, mass communication, technological change, war, ideology, ethnic and national identity, urbanism, globalization, and many other phenomena that remain critical to understanding today’s world. It encompasses a very wide range of objects, including works on paper (posters, prints, design drawings), paintings, sculpture, furniture, glassware, metal tableware, ceramics, lighting, household appliances, textiles, and medallic art, as well as rare books, journals, and ephemera.
The majority of the objects in The Wolfsonian’s collections were produced in the United States and Western Europe. France, Germany, Great Britain, the Habsburg Empire and its successor states, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States are the countries most extensively represented. There are smaller, but still significant, collections from Japan, Spain, Imperial Russia and the Soviet Union, and Cuba. For much of Africa and Asia, The Wolfsonian’s holdings are largely related to tourism and to the colonial enterprises of the European powers.
Located in the heart of Miami Beach’s historic architectural district, The Wolfsonian opened as a public museum and research center in 2005. In 1997, The Wolfsonian became a department of Florida International University (FIU), a rapidly growing urban public research university with more than 50,000 students. The Wolfsonian strives to build strong programmatic and intellectual relationships with the academic community at FIU.
FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Equal Opportunity, Equal Access Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
For any further information, please visit: https://pslinks.fiu.edu