Curator

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Marie and Hugh Halff Jr. Curator of American Art – San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, USA

Institution: San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA)
Department: Curatorial
Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA
Contract: Full-time (Exempt)
Salary: $65,000 – $90,000 (commensurate with experience)
Reports to: Chief Curator

The San Antonio Museum of Art is seeking a Marie and Hugh Halff Jr. Curator of American Art to oversee its American and European art collections, spanning works from the late 18th to early 20th century, including painting, decorative arts, works on paper, photography, and the Rowan Collection of Irish silver.

This is a senior curatorial role offering open-rank consideration, with responsibility for shaping the long-term vision, research direction, and public presentation of two major collection areas within a large encyclopedic museum.

About the Role

The curator will lead the stewardship, research, interpretation, and strategic development of the American and European art collections, working closely with museum leadership to define exhibition strategy, acquisitions, and public engagement.

The role integrates curatorial research, collection management, exhibition development, fundraising collaboration, and public representation of the museum at local, national, and international levels.

Responsibilities

Oversee care, conservation, installation, and maintenance of American and European art collections
Develop long-term strategic vision and collection development plans
Research, propose, and present acquisitions and loans for approval
Conduct provenance research and collection-based scholarly research
Publish and contribute to academic and public-facing curatorial output
Develop exhibitions and permanent collection installations in collaboration with leadership
Coordinate digitization and documentation of collection records
Work with conservation teams on collection care and condition assessments
Evaluate loan requests and manage collection access for researchers
Collaborate with Development on fundraising initiatives
Partner with Education on public programs and docent training
Work with Marketing to develop interpretive and promotional content
Oversee budgets in coordination with leadership and finance teams
Represent the museum to donors, trustees, scholars, and the public
Build institutional and international professional relationships
Travel for research, networking, and professional development
Mentor and supervise interns, fellows, and junior curatorial staff

Candidate Profile

7–10 years of curatorial experience in an accredited art institution
M.A. in Art History, American Studies, or related field (Ph.D. strongly preferred)
Strong expertise in art historical research and collection-based scholarship
Experience in acquisitions, exhibitions, and collection development
Excellent communication and public presentation skills
Strong organizational and strategic thinking abilities
Familiarity with museum collection management and digital systems
Ability to collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders
Commitment to public engagement and institutional mission

Working Conditions

On-site work in a historic museum building on a multi-acre campus
Regular movement between multi-level gallery and collection spaces
Ability to lift up to 35 lbs when required
Extended periods of standing, walking, and physical activity
Occasional travel required for research and professional activities