Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Toledo Museum of Art in Toledo, Ohio

Job Description:

Job Title: Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art
Department: Curatorial Affairs
Reports to: Director of Curatorial Affairs
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Status: Full-Time
Annual Compensation Range: $59,500 - $70,100
Deadline to Apply: November 15, 2024 at 5:00pm EST


Since our founding in 1901, the Toledo Museum of Art has earned a global reputation for the quality of our collection, our innovative and extensive education programs, and our architecturally significant campus. And thanks to the benevolence of its founders, as well as the continued support of its members, TMA remains a privately endowed, non-profit institution and opens its collection to the public, free of charge.

At the Toledo Museum of Art, we are dedicated to fulfilling our mission and our commitment to cultivating an organizational culture where every individual feels valued, inspired, respected, and empowered. We believe fostering such a culture requires everyone to work daily at positively enhancing the experience of our team members. We hope all interested in employment here will strive to elevate our mission and our culture!


SUMMARY
The Toledo Museum of Art is seeking a dynamic Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art to support the stewardship of the Museum's important collection and in shaping and leading the modern and contemporary art program within this growing area of the Museum's collection, now and into the future. The Museum is strongly committed to a curatorial program that blends scholarship and connoisseurship with equity and inclusion in paradigm-shifting ways for the twenty-first century Museum.

The Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art is best suited to a candidate with curatorial experience, a network within the museum field, academia, as well as with the art market, and a general knowledge about Modern and Contemporary art acquisition process, exhibitions, and innovative gallery displays and presentations, and that includes both generalist and specialist knowledge of Modern and Contemporary art. The ideal candidate will have the ability and desire to thoughtfully integrate ideas about Modern and Contemporary works into the framework of the larger TMA collection and possess a genuine desire to engage and enrich a broad range of audiences.

This position seeks to include a diverse array of narratives and perspectives; embraces modern and contemporary art and artists from around the world; actively seeks engagement internally with colleagues and externally with visitors, Museum support groups and donors; is energized by involvement with the community of Toledo; is eager to foster relationships with artists, collectors and institutions and will take on a public-facing role; is innovative, reliable, communicates well with others and is deadline driven.


KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Curatorial: Implement the modern and contemporary art program, providing creative direction and curatorial expertise to ensure continued stewardship and care for this aspect of the collection.

-Works to support the Museum's ambitious program of Modern and Contemporary acquisitions, exhibitions and innovative gallery displays and presentations.
-Expected to deliver programs and projects supporting the Museum's strategic plan, including the objective of broadening the narrative of art history and is responsive to initiatives from Administration and Development.
-May supervise the Research Associate for Modern and Contemporary Art.

Exhibition Development: Conceptualize, plan, and execute compelling exhibitions, both solo and group shows, that reflect a diverse range of artistic practices, themes, and mediums within the modern and contemporary art landscape.

-Contributes to the planning and implementation of the reinstallation of the entire museum collection scheduled to open in spring 2027, including initiating and/or executing contemporary art commissions for reinstallation.

Collection Development: Identify and acquire significant artworks that enhance the institution's modern and contemporary art collection, considering the historical and cultural relevance, artistic merit, and potential for public engagement.

-Consults with private collectors for loans or gifts to the Museum.
-Makes recommendations regarding loans to and from the Museum and works with the Registrar and Conservation Departments to ensure the appropriateness, safety, and condition of all loans.

Research and Scholarship: Conduct in-depth research on artists, art movements, and critical issues in modern and contemporary art, contributing to the institution's knowledge base and developing scholarly publications.

-Conducts quality art historical research primarily focused on the permanent collection, acquisitions for the permanent collection, exhibitions and artist projects.
-Pursues original research in the field, writing catalogs, articles and other materials for Museum publications. Collaborates cross-departmentally as needed.
-Catalogues the collection of modern and contemporary art.
-Assists in periodic surveys or inventories of the collection.

Collaborations and Partnerships: Cultivate relationships with artists, collectors, galleries, museums, and other cultural institutions to facilitate collaborations, loans, and acquisitions. Act as a representative of the institution within the art community locally, nationally, and internationally.

-Acts as an advisor and curatorial liaison between the curatorial team and various artists in residence (GAPP, Digital Artist Residency, Community Gallery, etc.).
-Participates and collaborates on the arrangements related to visiting scholars/artists/curators, including, but not limited to Museum-hosted symposiums and curatorial-driven events.
-Presents gallery talks, docent lectures, and public lectures on relevant exhibitions and aspects of the permanent collection and field inquiries from the public.
-Cultivates collectors for possible donations of art objects.
-Works with the Development Office to develop fundraising support for acquisitions and exhibitions as appropriate.

Public Engagement: Develop engaging educational programs, lectures, and public events related to modern and contemporary art, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for diverse audiences.

-Participates in the professional and intellectual discourse related to the Museum's art collection as well as the museum profession; provides services to the disciplines through participation as an active member of professional organizations.
-Provides tours of the Modern and Contemporary collection and speaking with visitors, donors and Museum support groups about curatorial initiatives and activities as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned or required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
-Master's degree in art history in modern and contemporary or related field such as curatorial studies is required; Ph.D. in art history or related field is preferred.
-At least 3-5 years of curatorial and collections experience; 2 years working in a museum setting.
-Specialized knowledge of modern and contemporary art, including direct curatorial experience.
-Strong analytical skills.
-Experience working in a museum and a proven track record of realizing complex projects.
-Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with diverse audiences and stakeholders, in small and large groups, in writing and -with interpersonal communication skills, proficiency in a foreign language preferred. Ability to speak publicly and represent the Museum in a professional -manner.
-Visitor Engagement - deep interest in and experience with customer service and visitor engagement; actively seeks information to understand and anticipate visitor expectations, and needs. Builds rapport and cooperative relationships; considers how actions or plans will affect customers; responds quickly to meet customer needs and resolve problems.
-Innovation - An unrestrained approach to problem-solving that generates new solutions and applies existing knowledge/practices in new ways; should constantly be seeking ways to improve the Museums processes and offerings.
-Initiative - The vision and ability to make substantial changes at the Museum; takes prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.
-Adaptability - Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and occasional overnight travel; maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

RELATIONSHIPS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
-Reports to the Director of Curatorial Affairs and works collaboratively across all departments.
-Standard office environment requiring regular use of phone, computer, and copy machines. The person in this position frequently communicates with public membership and staff who have inquiries and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. This person may attend events inside and outside of TMA, including evenings and weekends with occasional overnight travel.


BENEFITS
-25 Days of Paid Time Off Annually
-6 Paid Holidays Annually
-2 Paid Floating Holidays Annually
-3 Paid Volunteer Days Annually
-Birthday Paid Day Off
-Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance
-403b Retirement Savings Plan
-Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Term Life and AD&D Insurance Plans
-Paid Parental Leave
-Pet Insurance
-Employee Assistance Plan
-Museum Family Membership
-Employee Discounts in the Museum Store, Cafe, Studio Art Classes, & More!


The Toledo Museum of Art provides equal opportunity for employment and promotion to all qualified employees and applicants. No person shall be discriminated against in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal or state statutes. The Museum is committed to maintaining an environment in which all employees are treated equitably and given the opportunity to achieve their full potential in the workplace. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources at jobs@toledomuseum.org or (567)-666-0387.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
-Master's degree in art history in modern and contemporary or related field such as curatorial studies is required; Ph.D. in art history or related field is preferred.
-At least 3-5 years of curatorial and collections experience; 2 years working in a museum setting.
-Specialized knowledge of modern and contemporary art, including direct curatorial experience.
-Strong analytical skills.
-Experience working in a museum and a proven track record of realizing complex projects.
-Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with diverse audiences and stakeholders, in small and large groups, in writing and -with interpersonal communication skills, proficiency in a foreign language preferred. Ability to speak publicly and represent the Museum in a professional -manner.
-Visitor Engagement - deep interest in and experience with customer service and visitor engagement; actively seeks information to understand and anticipate visitor expectations, and needs. Builds rapport and cooperative relationships; considers how actions or plans will affect customers; responds quickly to meet customer needs and resolve problems.
-Innovation - An unrestrained approach to problem-solving that generates new solutions and applies existing knowledge/practices in new ways; should constantly be seeking ways to improve the Museums processes and offerings.
-Initiative - The vision and ability to make substantial changes at the Museum; takes prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive.
-Adaptability - Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends and occasional overnight travel; maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

recblid ffz5mo2oluqivaa1hguuerx9zbs0bw

Master's Degree Apply Now