Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art

Denver Art Museum
The Vicki and Kent Logan Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art
Denver, CO

ABOUT THE DENVER ART MUSEUM 

The Denver Art Museum strives to enrich the lives of present and future generations through the acquisition, presentation, and preservation of works of art, supported by exemplary scholarship and public programs related to both its permanent collections and to temporary exhibitions presented by the museum.

Overview 

Founded in 1893, the Denver Art Museum (DAM) is an educational, nonprofit resource that sparks creative thinking and expression through transformative experiences with art. A premier cultural institution in the Rocky Mountain region, the Denver Art Museum holds collections from around the world and across time. 

The museum celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2018 and has recently experienced remarkable growth – with exhibitions and programs engaging more than 750,000 plus visitors per year. The museum’s historic 210,000 square foot Gio Ponti-designed Martin Building opened in 1971 and recently underwent a $150 million renovation, and the addition of a 50,000 square foot welcome center. 

Slated to reopen in October of 2021, the new spaces bring the museum’s world-renowned museum education programming for all ages to the center of the campus. The completion of the campus expands the museum’s ability to serve the community, welcome guests to our city, and preserve and present priceless works of art from cultures around the world and throughout history for generations to come.

At DAM we know what can happen when we embrace creativity and honor the voices of our community to engage deeply and bring art and creativity to many. As an institution, we believe the Museum is both a platform for and an amplifier of the voices of people of all races. We are committed to elevating all voices, artworks and perspectives and strive to support and racial equity inside and out. 

The Department of Modern and Contemporary Art 

The central goal of the department of modern and contemporary art is to acquire artworks that tell the story of our times through the collection. 

Since its founding in 1978, the department has grown from fledgling roots into a collection of more than 7,000 artworks made between 1900 and today. Areas of strength in the historic collection include representation of artists from the School of Paris, Alfred Stieglitz’s cohort of artists, and Surrealism. The distinguished mid-century collection includes works by Robert Motherwell and Herbert Bayer, as well as paintings by pioneering women artists of Abstract Expressionism. 

Contemporary internationally renowned artists include German and British artists of the 1990’s and 2000’s, as well as Chinese, Latin American, and American artists. In recent years, DAM has been fortunate to add a number of significant contemporary acquisitions including Mark Bradford, Shirin Neshat and Senga Nengudi to the collection. 

The galleries for the collection are located on two floors in the Frederic C. Hamilton Building. Designed by Daniel Libeskind, the complex geometric scheme of the building consists of 20 sloping planes and is clad in 230,000 square feet of titanium panels The Hamilton Building also includes the museum’s major exhibition spaces for special presentations and traveling art shows, as well as significant art storage and conservation spaces.

DAM resides in the heart of the Golden Triangle Creative District -a culturally stimulating neighborhood that is home to 5 museums, 15 art galleries and several fine art studios and specialty stores in downtown Denver. The Museum’s campus consists of four structures –the newly renovated Martin Building, the Frederic C Hamilton Building, the Sie Welcome Center and the Bannock Administration Building and outdoor areas encompassing 4.14 acres. 

The DAM is a member of: American Alliance of Museums, Association of Art Museum Directors, Association of Art Museum Curators, Association of North Front Range Museums, Colorado-Wyoming Association of Museums, Contemporary Art Colorado, French Regional and American Museums Exchange, Mountain-Plains Museum Association. 

For more information on the Denver Art Museum, please visit the website.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Denver Art Museum seeks a vibrant, creative, and experienced individual with a profound knowledge of both 20th century art history and current artistic trends, to lead the museum’s distinguished modern and contemporary art department into a higher level of regional, national, and international prominence.

Reporting to the Chief Curator, the Vicki and Kent Logan Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art (CMCA) will provide vision, strategic leadership, and direction to the department. The CMCA will design a bold and inspired plan for exhibitions and programming that broadens and enhances the visitor’s experience and interpretation of the Modern and Contemporary Art Collection and amplifies DAM’s mission and values. 

The Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art will be a charismatic team player who will build, strengthen, and enhance relationships within the Museum and on local, national, and international levels. The successful candidate will possess strong and persuasive communication and negotiation skills, gravitas, and interpersonal savvy, and have an outgoing personal style. They will be expected to exemplify the DAM’s internal values, which include being dynamic, respectful, inclusive, creative, and curious, and demonstrate an authentic commitment to creating a culture where anti-racism and racial equity permeate every aspect of the Department’s work. The ability to maintain effective and positive working relationships with colleagues, visitors, volunteers, representatives of public and private entities, policy making bodies, and contractors is critical to the success of this position.

Responsibilities 

Curatorial Vision, Innovation and Leadership

• Possess and communicate a passion for art and scholarship; champion ongoing innovative exhibitions and programmatic content consistent with DAM’s mission, and values and that consistently meets and surpasses expectations
• Oversee the day-to-day function of the modern and contemporary art collections, including study, care, display, record keeping, publication, and provenance research
• Build and refine the collections and collaborate with collectors, patrons, curatorial colleagues, and cultural organizations to generate important exhibitions, publications, and public programs that engage current and new audiences and promotes social discourse
• Bring fresh eyes and an innovative perspective to exhibitions, program content and acquisitions 
• Actively engage supporting donors and collecting groups to secure gifts of art that build the Modern and Contemporary Collection in alignment with the museum’s strategic direction for the collection
• Encourage innovative and creative initiatives that spark new and existing visitors’ curiosity and create meaningful personal experiences with DAM’s collections and exhibitions. Identify opportunities to leverage DAM’s unique assets

Management and Business Acumen

• Oversee the financial status of the department including developing long and short-range financial plans; Participate in institutional planning and budgeting process
• Cultivate strong and transparent working relationship with leadership, direct reports, and cross-functional partners to ensure open communication and alignment around DAM’s organizational goals
• Provide empathetic leadership and development to department staff and volunteers as necessary; amplify the contributions of the department and support staff through mentorship, strategic instruction, and management
• Create and promote a positive, equitable and inclusive work environment that encourages innovation and supports consistency throughout the organization’s strategy; lead by example in DAM’s endeavors to examine and contribute to equity goals in the Museum’s hiring practices and workplace culture

Relationship Building & Cultivation

• Strengthen existing relationships and develop innovative new strategic partnerships (with artists, donors, collectors, cultural institutions, and community partners) in Denver, nationally and internationally
• Actively cultivate funding for acquisitions, exhibitions, research grants, and fellowships through association with professional organizations, foundations, and patrons on regional, national, and international levels
• Engage and leverage the resources of the local and national community to establish a sense of ownership and deep engagement, commitment and involvement to the DAM mission and institution
• Maintain professional affiliations in scholarly organizations, professional societies, and relevant committees

Collaboration 

• Provide collaborative and proactive input into decisions affecting the DAM’s overall exhibitions and strategic action plans; identify and pursue opportunities to partner with other members of curatorial team around exhibitions, programming, and acquisitions 
• Work collaboratively with educators and designers in the development, creation, interpretation, and installation of permanent galleries and special exhibitions organized or booked by the museum

Preferred Candidate Profile & Qualifications

The Curator will possess the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

• MA or MFA is preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in museum curator role or equivalent professional experience; 5 or more years of experience managing teams and building and managing budgets 
• Strong national and international network of artists, collectors, and professional colleagues
• Exemplary relationship-building skills; able to create and nurture partnerships with colleagues, artists and collectors and other institutions and external stakeholders
• Authentic and personal commitment to elevating all voices, artworks and perspectives and strive to support racial equity; culturally responsive to issues and changes in the world with a keen ability to navigate and cultivate conversation through exhibitions
• Demonstrated success and appreciation for fundraising; ability to galvanize support and generate excitement while effectively partnering with staff and stakeholders in the process
• Substantial record of achievements in exhibitions, publications and/or publications editing; exemplary experience preparing and delivering lectures, conferences, panels, and workshops to the public, professional colleagues, and other groups
• Experience in museum installations
• Exceptional research, and verbal and written communication skills; including social media aptitude and compelling public speaking abilities
• Clear communicator with superb negotiation, project management and organizational skills
• A multitasker who is nimble and open to experimentation yet able to make decisions
• Must be willing to travel (art fairs, artist studio visits, etc.)

Compensation & Benefits 

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The hiring salary for the position is $80,000-$100,000 based on experience.

A comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 100% paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance. Paid time-off for vacation, sickness, and holidays. 403(b) Retirement Plan with immediate eligibility to contribute and, after one year of employment, an employer contribution and match. An RTD Eco pass. A free membership to the DAM at the Family level.

The Denver Art Museum provides  equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

DRG Talent Advisory Group

DRG is a Talent Advisory Group. We serve nonprofit organizations that care for, inspire, and enrich the lives of people all over the world. Our team of talent advisors shares a commitment to the values that matter to our clients, bringing more than 30 years of experience to serving the nonprofit community. 

Our mission is to support nonprofits in bringing together the right leadership, talent, culture, and structure—so people and organizations can thrive.                                  

To apply to this position please visit – http://drgsearch.com/current-searches/?rpid=itxAFvs6mCo