Museum Curator

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Museum Curator (Art) (IS-105-09) – National Museum of the American Indian

Location: Washington, DC, USA
Position Type: Trust Fund, Temporary (Not to Exceed One Year)
Schedule: Part Time (30 hours per week)
Open Date: February 21, 2025
Closing Date: March 15, 2025 (This job will close once 100 applications are received, which may be sooner than the closing date.)

The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) seeks experienced and highly motivated candidates for the position of Museum Curator (Art) for an initial one-year term. The role supports NMAI’s Museum Research and Scholarship department and contributes to projects across research, exhibitions, collection management, and public service. The position is intended to affirm and advance the historical and contemporary culture of Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere through innovative programming, research, and collections.

Overview

Conduct research on the permanent collection to build a comprehensive database and deepen understanding of Native American art.
Collaborate with curators and senior staff to develop exhibition topics and contribute to the staging of exhibitions and catalogs.
Serve as a liaison to guest curators, lenders, and external institutions to coordinate exhibitions.
Review loan requests, assess conservation needs, and perform cataloging of collections.
Present gallery talks, lectures, and respond to public inquiries, enhancing public engagement with NMAI’s collections.

Responsibilities

Research: Develop an in-depth knowledge of the permanent collection and contextualize objects within Native American art.
Exhibition Development: Organize and contribute information for publications, articles, and NMAI brochures; participate in exhibition planning and execution.
Liaison: Coordinate with guest curators, external offices, and institutions for the preparation, staging, and touring of exhibitions.
Collection Management: Review condition of collections, oversee loan requests, and assist with cataloging.
Public Engagement: Present talks and lectures; address routine public inquiries to foster community understanding of the collections.

Qualifications

Educational Background: A Master’s degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field, or equivalent experience in the field of Native American art.
Expertise: In-depth knowledge of Native American art history, with specialization in one or more areas of the field.
Museum Practice: Familiarity with museum procedures, collections management, and exhibition development.
Writing Skills: Exceptional written communication skills, with minimal editing required.
Conceptual Understanding: Ability to grasp and communicate conceptual ideas effectively.
Additional Requirements: Must be knowledgeable about NMAI collections and museum activities.

Conditions of Employment

Must pass pre-employment background checks and a probationary period.
Maintain a bank account for direct deposit.
Open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States (proof of eligibility is not required to apply).
Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date.
Trust Fund positions are paid from diverse sources (e.g., endowment, business revenue, donations) and are not part of the civil service. Trust employees have their own benefit programs.