The Jorge Baldor Curator of Latin American Art

The Dallas Museum of Art seeks a promising and dynamic scholar in the field of art history to become The Jorge Baldor Curator of Latin American Art. We look to hire a team-oriented colleague who will promote, interpret, build, and care for all aspects of the collection, which encompasses art from North America (Mexico) and other countries in Central and South America, from the Colonial to Modern centuries. The Jorge Baldor Curator of Latin American Art will be an active participant in executing the Museum’s Strategic Plan, including diversifying and reinterpreting the collection through strategic acquisitions, gallery installations, exhibition development, publications, presentations, and audience engagement.

The Museum has long been interested in the visual arts of Latin America and holds important collections representing the ancient, viceregal, and contemporary periods. The new position will focus on modern Latin American art, which the Museum began exhibiting in 1933 and acquiring for the permanent collection in 1941. Since that time, forty-five exhibitions have been presented at the DMA, the most recent being Fine Lands (2018) and México 1900–1950 (2017), which became the Museum’s second highest attended special paid exhibition in a decade, second only to the presentation of Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs in 2008. In addition, the DMA has acquired since 1941 over 400 works of Latin American art, including paintings, sculpture, works on paper, and textiles beyond the pre-Colombian, viceregal, and contemporary collections. The time has come for the modern Latin American art collection to have a dedicated curator to build on this foundation.

The Dallas Museum of Art, which was established in 1903, is among the ten largest art museums in the country and is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation, and public engagement. At the heart of this encyclopedic museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses more than 24,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history. The Museum houses a comprehensive art library and archives and two conservation studios for paintings and sculpture. Located in the downtown Dallas Arts District – the largest contiguous urban arts district in the US – the Museum engages people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming. Dallas is the ninth largest city in the country, with a Latino and Latin American heritage population of 43%, making it the largest ethnic group in the city.

Candidates should demonstrate excellent research, writing, and speaking skills, as well as the ability to manage complex projects effectively and to attract as well as deepen relationships with donors and supporters. They should demonstrate a breadth of knowledge and experience in their specialty, as well as a willingness to gain new expertise. Candidates should be committed to exploring the changing nature of art museums and their relationship to diverse audiences.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• M.A. or preferably a Ph.D in Art History or comparable field or equivalent experience, with a profound knowledge of/expertise in Latin American Art from the 19th century to 1950.
• Curatorial experience working in a museum or equivalent institution, with progressive supervisory, donor relations, and administrative experience
• Proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Spanish, Portuguese, French

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Proven record of organizing traveling exhibitions
• History of significant scholarly publications including exhibition catalogues and essays
• Knowledge of the international market for Latin American art and network of international dealers, and record of significant acquisitions through gifts and purchases
• Ability to work collaboratively on projects with internal and external teams
• Ability and initiative to recommend solutions and solve problems

Personal Qualities and Attributes

• Intellectually rigorous
• Inspirational
• Collaborative
• Generous spirit
• Tactful
• Excellent organizational skills

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.

Reports to: Chief Curator
Department: Curatorial
Classification: Exempt, Full-time, M-F, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Benefits: Full Museum Benefits