Curator

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The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is one of the leading arts institutions in the region. The Museum presents a dynamic range of exhibitions organized from prestigious museums and collections throughout the world. The Museum’s own diverse collection features highlights from North America, Europe, and Asia, with particular strengths in American art and postwar abstraction. The permanent collection also boasts one of the world’s largest public collections of Dale Chihuly glass, a major collection of photography by Brett Weston, and the definitive museum collection of works by the Washington Color painter Paul Reed. The Museum’s renowned Samuel Roberts Noble Theater screens the finest international, independent, documentary, and classic films. Museum amenities include the Museum Store and the Roof Terrace. The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is a member of the Association of Art Museum Directors. The Museum serves over 125,000 visitors annually from all fifty states and thirty foreign countries.

Job Summary:

Support the Museum mission through creation of original exhibitions, facilitation of traveling exhibitions, and through research and scholarship of the permanent collection. Assist in advancing the curatorial vision for the institution by cultivating new and existing donors, and by serving as a representation for the Museum both locally and globally.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Conceptualizes, plans, and develops original exhibitions in collaboration with Director of Curatorial Affairs and Audience Engagement, and President & CEO.
In collaboration with Director Curatorial Affairs and Audience Engagement, develops an area of specialization that advances the Museum’s mission.
Curates and oversees the reinstallation of select permanent gallery installations and exhibitions as assigned.
Undertakes research projects, including provenance research, to expand knowledge about the Museum’s collection and provide original content.
Actively engages with colleagues about traveling exhibitions for possible presentation and/or co-produced exhibitions and facilitate such exhibitions.
Manages all creative and interpretative content for select original and traveling exhibitions.
Provides recommendations for new acquisitions to the permanent collection.
Creates interpretative copy for labels, gallery guides, etc.
Meets regularly with departments to manage exhibition messaging and to ensure the timely completion of exhibition-related work tasks.
Presents at quarterly meetings of the Collections and Exhibitions Committee with Director of Curatorial Affairs and Audience Engagement and Head of Collection and Exhibition Management.
Works with Head of Design and Installation and Director of Curatorial Affairs and Audience Engagement to produce exhibition layouts for assigned exhibitions.
Works with Head of Collection and Exhibition Management to manage logistical aspects of select exhibitions.
Manages editorial and advertising content of assigned exhibitions.
Assists and guides Marketing team with visual and written content for press releases, web pages, social media posts, and other promotional packages.
Assists Museum Store in developing exhibition-related merchandise for the Museum Store.
Reviews Annual Report, web pages, press releases, promotional materials and other collection/exhibition related publications for accuracy.
Collaborates with learning team in the development and integration of related programs.
Collaborates with the learning team to create and present new initiatives in art education.
Recommends interpretive themes and information for tours and exhibitions.
Assists with lectures and docent corps.
Researches and works with the Development team to identify funding needs/opportunities for grant applications.
Assists Director of Development and Development Operations Manager in the preparation and completion of grant applications.
Conducts interviews and responds to other press inquiries for all assigned exhibitions.
Travels to select art fairs, museums, conferences, and galleries.
Appears at select Museum and community art events.
Cultivates new and existing donors to the Museum.
Supervises Assistant Curator position.

Required Skills/Abilities:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
Organized with attention to detail.
Excellent managerial skills.
Thorough understanding of curation policies and procedures.
Ability to read, analyze, and manage departmental budgets.
Ability to research and create written and visual content for publication and/or presentation.
Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups and/or boards of directors.
Knowledge of other languages, both written and verbal, preferred.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree or higher in History of Art preferred; Master’s degree in closely related field of study pertinent to museum practice or the equivalent required.
Three years minimum related experience in similar position within a museum or art organization strongly preferred.