Located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at the State University of New York (SUNY) New Paltz is one of the largest museums in the SUNY system with more than 9,000 square feet of exhibition space distributed over seven galleries. The Dorsky will celebrate its twentieth anniversary in fall 2021.
The Dorsky’s permanent collection comprises approximately 6,000 works of art, with a concentration on American art, especially of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Region, as well as photography and metals. A small but excellent “world collection” of objects dating back to antiquity and representing diverse cultures enhances the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs.
Through its collection, exhibitions, and public and other programs, The Dorsky Museum supports and enriches academic life at SUNY New Paltz, presents a broad range of art for study and enjoyment, and serves as a center for Hudson Valley arts and culture. The museum has gained wide recognition beyond the campus as one of the region’s leading museums.
The Dorsky maintains an ambitious year-round temporary exhibition program. There are approximately eight shows per year, curated both in-house and by guest curators. The museum also produces a series of BFA and MFA student thesis shows at the end of each Fall and Spring semester. The Dorsky has an active publication program and produces catalogues for many of its exhibitions that are distributed through SUNY Press.
For additional information, please visit the museum’s website.
POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The curator and exhibitions manager will join a museum that has grown significantly in the last ten years. The Dorsky has a talented six-person staff, an active and engaged sixteen-member Advisory Board, and strong support from SUNY New Paltz’s faculty and administration. The new curator, in collaboration with the director, museum team, and university faculty and students will develop and implement an exciting and innovative exhibition schedule that furthers the mission of the museum, effectively engages with the diverse audiences we serve and makes the museum a valuable resource for the campus and its surrounding communities.
PRIMARY ROLES:
- The curator oversees the development, organizing, and installation of an ambitious schedule of temporary loan and collection exhibitions. The curator works with the museum’s director and Exhibitions Committee to create a balanced and engaging exhibitions schedule, which includes exhibitions proposed by the curator as well as proposals from guest curators from on and off campus.
- The curator works with the collections manager on presenting the Dorsky permanent collection and strategizes imaginative and engaging ways to exhibit the collection in permanent and rotating displays.
- The curator is also responsible for managing the often guest-juried annual Hudson Valley Artists show, producing exhibitions of contemporary and historical art from the Hudson Valley region and beyond, and working with the preparator on student thesis exhibitions.
- The curator is responsible for all aspects of the development, research and professional presentation of the exhibitions they initiate. When working with guest curators, they are responsible for project-managing those exhibitions, shepherding contractual deliverables, and working with museum staff as a team on loan requests, shipping and installation logistics, and producing interpretive and promotional materials.
- The curator works with the director to develop exhibition budgets and to identify and apply for outside funds to support exhibitions. The curator works with museum staff, campus colleagues, and community members to promote and publicize museum exhibitions.
- The curator works with the director and manager of education and visitor experience to engage the diverse audiences we serve though accessible exhibition programs, events, and interpretative materials.
- The curator works with the director and other museum staff in the development and production of museum-related special events and fundraising activities that advance the mission and programs of the museum.
- The curator will act as supervisor for the preparator and student assistants and interns. They will also manage the museum SUNY New Paltz MFA Artist in Residence program.
- The curator keeps informed about developments in museum best practices, and current issues in the museum and art worlds and plans for ongoing effective professional development.
- The position includes the opportunity, if interested, for teaching museum studies courses in the SUNY New Paltz Art History Department.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
The salary is competitive, and benefits are generous.
Qualifications:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A minimum of a master’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies or a related field and/or equivalent demonstrated professional experience.
- A minimum of five years experience working in an art museum, gallery, or equivalent organization.
- Experience with the logistics of organizing exhibitions, excellent project management skills, attention to details, and experience with overseeing schedules and workflows.
- Evidence of a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in curatorial practice, programming, and audience engagement.
- Excellent writing ability and communication skills, and the ability to serve as a public-facing ambassador of the museum.
- Strong interpersonal skills, an aptitude for collaboration and relationship-building for working closely with museum and campus colleagues, as well as the diverse communities the museum serves.
- An organized, professional, friendly, and solutions-oriented approach to coordinating effectively with colleagues, guest curators, lenders of artwork, students, and artists.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A positive, energetic, and welcoming manner with self-confidence and a sense of humor.
- Familiarity with the workings of gallery or museum located on a college or university campus.
- Experience supervising the workload, performance, and professional development of staff.
Contact Information: Electronic submission of application materials is required. Candidates are asked to provide a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three professional references. Please apply by visiting here.
Individuals with disabilities needing assistance with the application process should call (845) 257-3675.
Deadline: Applications accepted until position is filled, priority given to those received by 5/31/21.
Other important information about this vacancy: Located in the heart of a dynamic college town in the beautiful Hudson River Valley, 90 minutes from metropolitan New York City, the State University of New York at New Paltz is a highly selective college of about 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. One of the most well-regarded public colleges in the nation, New Paltz delivers an extraordinary number of majors in Business, Education, Fine & Performing Arts, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Science & Engineering. New Paltz embraces its culture as a community where talented and independent minded people from around the world create close personal links with scholars and artists who love to teach.
