Curator of Media Arts and Special Projects
Curator of Time-Based Media Art and Special Projects (GS-12)
National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
The National Portrait Gallery (NPG) seeks a dynamic, engaged curator to research and build its growing collection of media art, and to design and implement exhibitions of time-based media art (TBMA) as well as other exhibitions of modern American and contemporary portraiture. The Portrait Gallery seeks to broaden its collections, exhibitions and programming to include a wide range of artists and approaches to contemporary portraiture. Time-based media is a growing field of interest for the museum. Its collection currently includes work by Glenn Ligon, Robert Wilson, Aura Satz, Luke DuBois, Joan Jonas, Ana Mendieta, and other leading artists, and encompasses film and video, slide-based work, and born-digital works of art.
The incumbent will report to the Chief Curator, and will conceive and develop exhibitions of time-based media art, incorporating both loans and works in the collections of the NPG. S/he will work with other NPG staff to determine how best to exhibit works of TBMA. The new curator may also initiate, plan and carry out both loan exhibitions and collections-based exhibitions in the fields of modern and contemporary portraiture in all media.
The new curator will also assume responsibility for researching and building the collections of time-based media art at the NPG through purchases, gifts, and commissioned portraits. At the NPG, the subjects of portraits considered for acquisition must have national significance. S/he will also oversee the cataloging, care and conservation of time-based media art, working with a TBMA conservator at the NPG and other staff, including other Smithsonian curators and TBMA specialists. S/he must have experience in acquiring TBMA and the complex acquisitions documents, including supplemental licenses, required for this kind of artwork.
NPG curators work as a team to conceive some exhibitions of contemporary portraiture. The incumbent would have the opportunity to join this team, but would also be able to conceive stand-alone exhibitions. S/he may also have opportunities to work on special projects in contemporary art for the museum. S/he will be required to write exhibitions texts and catalogues, with only light editing. S/he will be expected to participate in scholarly activities, attending conferences, presenting papers based on his/her research, and to publish within the field of modern and contemporary art. S/he will be expected to give gallery talks, and participate in other educational and public programs sponsored by the NPG.
Qualified candidates must have an MA degree in art history or a related field, PhD preferred. Expertise in 20th and 21st century time-based media art and demonstrated experience in collections building and curating exhibitions in the field of time-based media is required. Candidates should also have broader expertise in later 20th century and 21st century art in all media, a record of presentations and publications in this area, and should have two to five years of experience in a museum or gallery setting. S/he must have experience in acquiring and exhibiting TBMA during the past five years.
The Smithsonian Institution does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
To apply, please go to USAJobs.gov, set up an account, load your c.v., and follow the detailed instructions. The position will be open through April 12.
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https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/529011600
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