Latin American/Latin American Diasporic Curator-at Large

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Latin American/Latin American Diasporic Curator-at Large

The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (HMSG) seeks an independent curatorial professional with an expertise in modern and contemporary Latin American/Latin American diasporic art to act as Curator-at-Large. The selected contractor will assist the Museum in assessing and expanding the Latin American/Latin American diasporic holdings, proposing and organizing exhibitions, developing a broader field of support for Latin American/Latin American diasporic initiatives, and increasing visibility of the Museum.

SCOPE

The Contractor shall provide provisional, technical, non-personal Curatorial consultative services that include:

• Assessing the Museum’s current Latin American/Latin American diasporic holdings and developing a strategic approach to future deaccessions and acquisitions, with particular emphasis on early and midcareer artists who have not yet received institutional recognition
• Proposing and organizing future exhibitions of Latin American/Latin American diasporic art of varying scopes, sizes, and historical periods and sizes
• Identifying and, as directed, cultivating corporate, foundational, and private support for the Museum’s Latin American Latin American diasporic initiatives
• Increasing visibility of the Museum in Latin America and among collectors of Latin American/Latin American diasporic art

  WHEN (Period of Performance)

  All work under this purchase Order shall being on or about October 1, 2023 and be by completed September 30, 2024. The Smithsonian Institution reserves the sole option to extend this order to engage the Contractor in providing similar services for up to four (4) additional one-year periods.

  These option periods are subject to: 1) continuation of the need for the services, 2) acceptance and approval by the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative during the respective contract period, 3) availability of funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made, and 4) the contract price for services to be provided under the optional periods shall be as stated in contractor’s quote

• WHERE

  Work will be performed both in-person and via telework from a location mutually agreed to by HMSG and the Contractor, with the expectation that the Contractor will travel to conduct research for exhibitions and acquisitions, as budget allows. In-person workspace includes the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Independence Avenue at 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20013-7012)

 REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide curatorial consultative services to HMSG by assessing the existing Latin American/Latin American diasporic holdings of the Museum, drafting a strategic roadmap for deaccessions and acquisitions, and then making strategic recommendations of historical and contemporary acquisitions, with particular emphasis on early and midcareer artists who have not yet received institutional recognition. Responsibilities include identifying and proposing at least ten (10) acquisitions annually. For approved artworks, the Contractor shall draft acquisition proposals and present them to the HMSG Board of Trustees, Collections Committee, and Acquisitions Council, as requested.

The Contractor shall attend weekly Curatorial department meetings for the purpose of providing project updates and engaging in discussions about proposed acquisitions, upcoming exhibition projects, and other initiatives with the Curatorial staff and the Museum Director. Attendance will mainly be virtual, with occasional in person attendance as agreed to by the Contractor and HMSG.

Direct consultative services to Director (Melissa Chiu) and Head Curator (Evelyn Hankins) on a broad array of curatorial and representational matters. This will include responsibilities as a staff member supporting the International Council and Acquisitions Council, including assisting in identifying potential committee members (i.e. bringing collectors into the Museum’s support circles) and proposing and presenting acquisitions.

Expands the Museum’s network of professional art world contacts and advocates for the Museum and collection, with particular emphasis in Latin America and with collectors of Latin American/Latin American diasporic art with an eye towards expanding the base of Museum contact with collectors. This includes proposing, attending, and participating in Outreach events (both in-person and virtual), such as collection visits, gallery visits, studio visits, study trips, and art fair tours, as agreed to by the Contractor and the Hirshhorn. Periodically drafts updates to select membership and art groups such as the International and Directors Councils that support the Museum.

Updates the HMSG Board of Trustees, other high level donor groups, and Curatorial staff upon request on contractor’s exhibition suggestions/proposals, acquisitions, and international developments in contemporary art. The object of these briefings would be to assist the Board and staff to raise the level and breadth of scholarly achievement and initiatives in the fields of Latin American/Latin American diasporic art and to raise the prominence of the Museum globally, particularly within Latin American and within the fields of Latin American/Latin American diasporic art.

Proposes at least three exhibition projects to the Head Curator and the Director. For selected projects, the Contractor shall move forward in organization of projects, working collaboratively with all Museum departments/teams. Participates as part of the curatorial team in the development of the 50th anniversary exhibition program and the Sculpture Garden revitalization.

Collaborates with the Curatorial team and the Director to generate ideas to develop the Museum exhibition program, build fundraising capacity, and broaden engagement with key constituents, such as the Board of Trustees.

Supports to the Museum’s public engagement efforts by expanding the base of museum contact with collectors. Contributes to the Museum’s Virtual Museum efforts by proposing and, as requested, leading and coordinating 2-4 virtual programs, such as Artist Talks and panel discussions.