Director of Curatorial Affairs & Curator of Northwest Art at Museum of Northwest Art in La Conner, Washington

Job Description:

The Director of Curatorial Affairs & Curator of Northwest Art is one of three leadership positions that will collaboratively work to establish and support MoNA's direction and strategic priorities. Reporting to the museum's Executive Director and working in close collaboration with the Director of Education and the Manager of External Affairs, this position will conceive and organize exhibitions (whether drawn from the collection of modern and contemporary art or through loans from individual/institutional collections) that advance interdisciplinary and innovative opportunities to celebrate the cultural and artistic history of the Northwest while putting forward a more nuanced and inclusive interpretation of "American" art in the region. The Director of Curatorial Affairs/Curator of Northwest Art will be a proven administrator with experience mentoring staff and a well-developed understanding of curatorial, installation, and collections care and shared-stewardship practices with Native American, Latinx, Black and Communities of Color in the region. The DCA&CNWA provides direct supervision to three positions: Collections Manager, Collections Assistant, and a part-time installer/art handler.

In 2021, Executive Director Stefano Catalani joined MoNA with more than 20 years of curatorial and management experience in museums and higher education. Under new leadership, MoNA has been redefining its role vis-a-vis the communities that the Museum represents and serves. With exhibitions and educational initiatives aimed at establishing ongoing, intentional and long-term relationships with the diverse communities in the region, the new position of Director of Curatorial Affairs & Curator of Northwest Art is a critical and transformative step for MoNA in building capacity for cultural engagement. Inherent in this opportunity is the potential to help develop a vision for MoNA as a welcoming museum that is visitor-centered, civic-minded, diverse, inclusive, responsive, and participatory. The new position of Director of Curatorial Affairs & Curator of Northwest Art will have a critical role in helping redefine the role of the Museum by utilizing the collection as a springboard to develop relevant and compelling exhibitions, as well as public programs that inspire inquiry and discovery, serving both the local and larger regional community, and beyond.

This opportunity will appeal to an aspirational museum professional who is excited about providing thought partnership around the considerable strengths of MoNA's collection and activating its potential of community engagement through exhibitions and curatorial initiatives. The DCA&CNWA will have preferably a specialization in the American Art canon and also the breadth of experience to advance a community-centric and interdisciplinary approach to exhibition development, related scholarship, and programming that speaks to the current cultural and sociopolitical landscape in inclusive ways. They also administer the Museum of Northwest Art collecting activities, working closely with the Executive Director and Museum Collections Committee to establish priorities and plans for collection care, stewardship, research, documentation, and access.

Supported by a dedicated staff, they will demonstrate a generative and inclusive vision that engages and excites community stakeholders and motivates and inspires confidence from individual donors and collectors.

Skills and Knowledge

• 5 years of experience in collaboratively conceptualizing, designing, and installing relevant, creative and innovative exhibitions in an art and/or culture environment for diverse community audiences with progressively increasing levels of responsibility and accountability
• 4 years of experience leading, managing, and mentoring staff members with diverse needs and complex interdependent deliverables
• Demonstrated leadership in museum field specifically related to curatorial, collections, and exhibition development work
• Preferred experience working directly with Indigenous (Native American and Latinx) communities, navigating colonial histories and building sustainable, transparent relationships
• Demonstrated commitment to DEAI principles
• Experience in assisting with culturally complex, sensitive, or confidential projects - including a demonstrated ability to listen and deal empathetically with a wide range of people and cultural groups
• Enthusiasm for strategically communicating the museum's mission to diverse individuals, communities, and cultures in our local community and globally
• Strong administrative, fiscal, and staff management skills, with a clear record of leading and managing museum projects, including exhibitions
• Advanced knowledge of museum curating, research, and collections development
• Knowledge and understanding of museum ethics and principles, especially with regard to issues of provenance/provenience
• Excellent presentation and writing skills, and effective communication, organizational, and time-management skills
• Ability to work as a member of a team-based environment with strong collaborative skills
• Demonstrated ability to direct, coach, and motivate direct reports
• Willingness to build positive and effective relationships with museum colleagues, donors, and the broader Pacific Northwest communities
• Demonstrated experience and ability to achieve deliverables while working collaboratively and independently without close supervision within tight deadlines

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to work occasional weeknights, weekends and holidays due to events schedule
• Must be able to travel to evaluate collections, organize exhibits, and conduct research.
  Must be able to lift up to 25lbs, climb ladders, or carry boxes
• 70% of the position requires repetitive hand movements using a computer keyboard. Near and far vision in reading correspondence, using a computer
• 30% of the position requires prolonged standing, walking, kneeling while executing opening and events, museum tours, and donor meetings

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