Curator/Associate Curator

Department of Architecture and Design

Department of Architecture and Design

The world’s first curatorial department devoted to architecture and design was established in 1932 at The Museum of Modern Art. From its inception, the collection has been built on the recognition that architecture and design are allied and interdependent arts, so that synthesis has been a founding premise of the collection. Of the total 28,000 works in the collection, the modern design collection encompasses a range of objects, including appliances, furniture, and tableware, as well as tools, textiles, cars and other vehicles. The graphic and communication design collection includes noteworthy examples of typography, posters, and letterheads, as well as symbols, digital fonts, icons, and interactive design ranging from video games to visualization and information design. Overall, the diverse collection surveys major figures, movements, and objects from the late 19th century to the present.

Position summary:

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for an Associate Curator or Curator of Design. Reporting to the Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design, the Associate Curator or Curator’s role will include managing the design collection, expanding and deepening Museum holdings through acquisitions; organizing exhibitions and programs, particularly in relation to the 1800s-1980s collection; authoring exhibition catalogues and other publications; supervising and mentoring junior staff; thinking strategically about departmental and institutional goals; producing significant scholarship; and cultivating relationships within the Museum and in the design community.
Collection.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Manages the design collection, including developing a deep knowledge of it and serving as point person and expert for all projects related to the 1800s-1980s design collection.
• Considers, researches, and recommends potential gifts or purchases of modern design works (with a focus on—primarily but not limited to—diversity, gender equity, other forms of design) to the Chief Curator, and presents to the Committee on Architecture and Design.
• Organizes innovative gallery presentations or special exhibitions dedicated to the Museum Collection with specific focus on collection-based rotations.
• At the discretion of the Chief Curator, represents the Department at Museum committees and at policy/planning meetings within the Museum.
• Working with relevant staff across the Museum, the Curator researches, investigates, and organizes temporary and collection exhibitions with Chief Curator support and Exhibition Committee approval; produces and oversees exhibition budgets; obtains loans; assumes responsibility for exhibition research and team coordination, etc.
• Works with the Publications Department to produce catalogues and other written materials to accompany exhibitions. When appropriate, solicits essays for MoMA publications from scholars in the field.
• Collaborates with the departments of Communications, Marketing, Graphics, Development, and other Museum colleagues to promote and support exhibitions.
• Partners with the Education and Editorial and Content Strategy departments on programs relevant to either temporary exhibitions, collection shows, or other projects including lectures or panel discussions at the Museum or other venues.
• Attends international conferences and symposia, and serves as a key representative of the Department for modern design.
• Partners with the Chief Curator in engaging the Committee on Architecture and Design and other Museum benefactors.
• Writes articles in professional journals and lectures at other institutions.
• Performs gallery and studio visits, and follows the development of emerging as well as established designers, to maintain awareness of the whole design field, beyond design history.

Qualifications:

• The successful candidate will be a highly-accomplished and experienced professional who brings a depth of knowledge, curiosity, and talent to a multifaceted and world-renowned program. Deeply passionate about design and deeply versed in design history, the candidate has a commitment to excellence and curatorial expertise, and is well-versed in the social and political history of their area of focus. Exceptional and highly promising junior candidates will also be considered.
• Expertise in modern design and experience working with a large design collection. An in-depth knowledge of design history with a focus on modern design from the late 19th century to the 1980s is required. Interest and ability to diversify the collection’s design holdings with expanded geographies, ethnically diverse designers, and greater gender parity are preferred.
• Must be able to apply contemporary critical discourses to a historically grown collection, and to activate it for new and diverse audiences. Works closely with the Chief Curator of Architecture and Design in developing conceptual frameworks for exhibitions, acquisition priorities, publication proposals, and public programming.
• Creative and strategic, will collaborate with talented colleagues and Museum leadership, a diverse set of external partners, and the general public. The candidate will thrive in a structured and highly professional environment, upholding a leading position in the field.

Education, professional experience, and personal attributes will include:

• Expertise and accomplishments in the field of modern design.
• Significant experience in working with a large design collection.
• In-depth knowledge of design history, 1800s to 1980s; awareness of the contemporary design field.
• Track record of planning and producing exhibitions and programs that are accessible to a diverse public.
• Strong academic foundation and clearly demonstrated research capabilities, with a sophisticated understanding of modern design and an innate intellectual curiosity.
• Ability to work equally effectively under the supervision of the Chief Curator as well as autonomously, collaborating with senior Museum leadership when necessary.
• Willingness to engage and connect with a variety of stakeholders, including Trustees of the Museum, members of the Committee on Architecture and Design, Museum colleagues, industry experts and other external partners, as well as the general public.
• Ability to successfully and diplomatically partner with a range of colleagues throughout the organization.
• Facile with a variety of digital platforms and able to adapt exhibition and publication content for different media, as well as work with colleagues on developing online public programs tied to exhibitions and programming.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to set priorities, yet maintain flexibility in order to respond quickly to new opportunities.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written; superior presentation skills; sound judgment.
• Passionate about design and art, with a commitment to the Museum’s mission.
• Design or art/design history background, with either a masters of art or Ph.D. (preferred) in the field or comparable experience. Demonstrated research capabilities. Five or more years of significant curatorial experience in a museum (or equivalent) context.

Supervises:

Curatorial Assistants, to support the Associate Curator or Curator’s research for acquisitions, exhibitions, publications, and other initiatives. Other potential supervisees may include any of the following: Fellows, Research Assistants, Preparators and Interns, and other junior staff as designated by the Chief Curator.