Lunder Curator of American Art

Established in 1959, the Colby College Museum of Art is a destination for the study, preservation, and exhibition of American art. We continue to build on the museum’s founding strength in the art of the United States from across its history, while also developing the collection in ways that facilitate pluralistic and inclusive understandings of the idea of America. Our exhibitions, permanent collection galleries, curricular programs, and research initiatives seek to bring complexity and richness to the interpretation of American art. The museum also has a strong collection of art from cultures and traditions outside of the United States and continues building this collection to support its academic and public mission.

Job summary

Reporting to the chief curator, the Lunder curator for American art plays a leadership role in the ongoing stewardship, research, interpretation, display, access, and educational use of the museum’s collection with a focus on American art and the many works of art in the museum’s care from the Lunder Collection. The curator augments and illuminates the museum’s collection through acquisitions and advises the museum and its benefactors on art purchases and gifts of art for the Colby Museum. The curator works collaboratively with colleagues at the museum, faculty, students, and peers in the field to develop exhibitions, programs, digital experiences, and publications that interrogate and advance new understandings of American art, the relationship between works of art made at various points in history, and relevant questions today. They teach or co-teach to facilitate academic and public engagement and propose research initiatives and special projects that can leverage the combined strengths of the Colby Museum and its Lunder Institute for American Art. The curator facilitates relationships with the museum’s Board of Governors and campus, local, regional, and national communities and works with Advancement and others at the museum to facilitate fundraising and public communications efforts.

The curator advances the museum’s strategic plan in all areas related to collections, exhibitions, publications, and programs and works collaboratively with these and other teams that comprise the museum and its Lunder Institute to realize the museum’s programmatic goals and its integral commitment to equity, inclusion, and racial justice. As a scholar and museum practitioner, the curator actively contributes to the field through professional networks, publications, and other activities.

To apply

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the “Apply” button on the Colby Careers website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references.

Materials should be addressed to:

Lunder Curator of American Art – Search Committee
Office of Human Resources
Colby College
5500 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME  04901-8855

A review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.