Amazing Senior Curator Opportunity!

Senior Curator

Position Title: Senior Curator
Reports to: CEO and Director and Chief Programs Officer
Department: Curatorial and Installation
Employment Status: Full-time FLSA
Status: Exempt

General Purpose Statement

Mission: The Aspen Art Museum is a non-collecting institution presenting the newest, most important evolutions in international contemporary art. Our innovative and timely exhibitions, education and public programs, immersive activities, and community happenings actively engage audiences in thought-provoking experiences of art, culture, and society.

The Senior Curator provides curatorial expertise to the Nancy and Bob Magoon CEO and Director, who also serves as Chief Curator, and curatorial leadership within the institution. S/he participates in researching, organizing, and implementing an ambitious schedule of contemporary exhibitions in the museum galleries as well as off-site exhibitions. Reporting to the Director and the Chief Programs Officer, the Senior Curator is a key member of the senior management team with broad responsibilities across the institution.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Works with CEO and Director on planning, organizing, and implementing all aspects of the exhibition program
• Works closely to coordinate with artists and outside curators involved in the museum’s exhibition program, including the museum’s progressive artist-in-residence program
• Provides logistical and administrative coordination of exhibitions, including traveling exhibitions
• Works with Registrar and Director of Exhibitions to develop and monitor the curatorial department budget
• Conducts scholarly research on artists and topics for exhibition catalogues, brochures, and other interpretive materials
• Contributes to writing and editing of exhibition descriptions and didactic materials including gallery guides, wall text, labels, website content, and catalogue texts
• Collaborating and coordinating with the Education, Development, and Communications staff to prepare and edit materials to promote, publicize, and interpret exhibitions and related public programs
• Develops and presents original interpretative gallery talks to classes, visiting groups, and donors
• Partners with AAM Education staff to develop and implement a wide range of exhibition-related programming designed to engage both AAM’s members and the museum’s wider regional community
• Build institutional relationships between AAM and fellow museums nationwide
• Oversee preparation of exhibition design and installation
• Develop grant proposals and help prepare grant applications and reports

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and enthusiasm for contemporary visual art, artists, museums and exhibitions.
• Computer skills to complete forms and paperwork and to use email.
• Ability to read, understand, and complete written and verbal requests and work assignments.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, working both independently and as a team member.
• Outstanding writing, editing, organizational, management, supervisory, and communication skills.
• Ability to work with close attention to detail and to maintain iron clad confidentiality.
• Ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks; excellent time-management, problem-prevention, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service skills and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work regularly in an open environment with both visual and audible distractions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to represent the museum with a high level of integrity and professionalism, adhere to museum policies, and support management decisions in a positive, professional manner.
• Dependability, flexibility, and adaptability in a dynamic event-driven environment.
• Knowledge of security operations, safety practices in a business environment, and enforcement procedures.
• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and some holidays.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, product information manuals, and instructions.
• Ability to work positively with colleagues, artists, the public, Board of Trustees, donors, and volunteers.

Requirements and Qualifications

• MA in Art History, Curatorial Studies, or a related discipline with an emphasis on contemporary art
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience as part of a curatorial team in a museum context
• In-depth knowledge of and enthusiasm for global contemporary visual art, artists, museums and exhibitions, including a strong and diverse network of professional contacts in the field
• Ability to work with close attention to detail and to maintain confidentiality
• Strong ability to take initiative and prioritize tasks; excellent time-management, problem-prevention and problem-solving skills
• Precise ability to follow through and meet deadlines while coordinating many current and long-range projects simultaneously
• Outstanding writing, editing, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to represent the museum with the highest level of integrity and professionalism, advocate for and adhere to museum policies, and contribute to and support management decisions in a positive, professional manner
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with colleagues, artists, the public, community leaders, Board of Trustees, donors, and volunteers
• Comfortable working in a very fast paced, team oriented environment.

Mental and Physical Abilities

• The ability to work extended hours during a mentally and physically demanding events schedule while remaining flexible, calm, positive, and professional.
• The ability to lift over thirty to fifty pounds and be on your feet for at least four to eight hours or more continuously.
• Ability to sit at a computer station for at least four to eight hours or more continuously.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with and resolve problems while remaining flexible.
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to work positively with colleagues, artists, the public, Board of Trustees, donors, and volunteers.
• Must be service-oriented and adaptable to change.
• Required to sit and or stand for long periods; use hands and arms to enter data on a computer keyboard, reach, hold, lift, and move objects; talk and hear to effectively serve patrons; and to lift and carry heavy service trays and other items.
• May occasionally be required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and to lift and move between thirty to fifty pounds without assistance.
• Work is mostly indoors but will also require outdoor exposure when the Café glass curtain is open to the Sculpture Garden and while assisting with off-site events.
• Appropriate staff dress is required at all times.

Hours and Work Schedule

This is a salaried position that generally requires availability Monday through Friday with an occasional weekend, evening, and holiday work. The Senior Curator position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act and does not receive overtime pay for hours worked in excess of forty in a seven-day work week.

For more information about this position and to apply, please visit: https://www.aspenartmuseum.org/about/work-opportunities

ASPEN ART MUSEUM
637 East Hyman Avenue
Aspen, CO 81611
www.aspenartmuseum.org