Assistant curator associate curator or curator commensurate with career experience

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston functions as an integrated visual arts experience centered in one of the nations great cities. Counted amongst North Americas largest museums MFAH has permanent collections spanning more than 5000 years of history with 70000 works from six continents. The main campus encompasses 14 acres in the heart of Houstons Museum District with buildings contributed by worldrenowned architects housing permanent collections; 450000 square feet of permanent and temporary exhibition spaces; a variety of horticultural features and visually stunning gardens fountains and outdoor exhibition areas; restaurants and artsthemed retail shops; school classrooms research and lecture hall facilities; archives libraries and conservation facilities; and administrative offices. During most of the transformative Campus Redevelopment that has been in process since 2012 annual attendance reached a high of 1.25 million despite significant construction.

Houston one of Americas largest cities by population and area is incredibly diverse and is an economic powerhouse with a very strong arts ecosystem that attracts over 7 million visitors alone to the Museum District where MFAH is centered. MFAH employs over 650 staff members funded solely by MFAH. More than 400 docents support the educational mission with an additional 1500 volunteers providing support for a broad range of MFAH engagements and activities.

The Position Summary:

Working in close cooperation with the Isabel Brown Wilson Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art this curator will be a key member of the entire curatorial team working closely with the director and colleaguesto conduct research plan installations organize exhibition projects enrich the permanent collection develop interpretive materials participate in community outreach and communications and uphold the MFAHs commitment to diversity equity access and inclusionto advance the mission of the MFAH.

This position offers an opportunity to build upon the Museums historic role in producing innovative exhibitions publications and programs in modern and contemporary art. Essential functions and responsibilities will include:

• To propose acquisitions of modern and contemporary art especially but not exclusively by African Americans and members of the African Diaspora.
• To collaborate on presentations of the permanent collection and special exhibitions and to conceive and execute new projects within the candidates area of expertise.
• To work closely with local and national collectors especially the Museums African American Art Advisory Association 5A) a special patron group that has been a vital part of the Museums activities over the past thirty years.
• To act as an ambassador of the Museum and to represent the Museum locally nationally and internationally.

General Departmental Requirements:

• To serve as an integral resource to internal and external constituencies on matters of scholarship related to modern and contemporary art.
• To collaborate with internal and external curators Learning and Interpretation staff and MFAH exhibition designers in the creation of program content and with Marketing and Communications staff to expand audiences and support for the collection exhibitions and programs.
• To collaborate with Development staff to identify appropriate funding opportunities cultivate potential individual prospects formulate strategies and assist with grant applications to build and steward the MFAHs strong donor base and to lead initiatives to secure financial resources for programs. Works closely with affinity groups advises on programs and participates in their activities.
• To champion the MFAHs strategic initiatives and vision providing enthusiastic leadership that strengthens the organization and supports a positive workplace culture.
• To provide gallery talks lectures and other presentations for various audiences including the general public MFAH membership MFAH affinity groups and the scholarly community on topics relating to the collection and programs. May create opportunities with local colleges and universities for teaching from the collection.
• To foster relationships with members of the public including scholars critics community groups and other relevant audiences in encouraging interest in the MFAH its collections and its mission.
• To participate in regional and national professional communities and organizations in order to enhance the general and scholarly understanding of the MFAH its collections and its mission.
• To perform special projects and other related duties as required directed or as the situation dictates.

Exhibitions:

• To establish partnerships with colleagues and outside institutions to promote exhibition opportunities.
• To present the Museums exhibitions and traveling exhibitions to the MFAH Exhibitions Committee and other staff committees.
• To collaborate across all departments to coordinate logistics for exhibitions and related publications including contracts loan agreements rights and reproductions packing and shipping design and installation editing publicity and fundraising.

Collections:

• To collaborate with curatorial colleagues and work with advisory committees to establish collection priorities.
• To foster and maintain positive relationships with collectors locally and nationally actively soliciting their help in enhancing the collection.
• To foster and maintain positive relationships with artists and their dealers.
• To research works recommended for acquisition and present these recommendations to the appropriate Museum committees.
• To maintain ongoing research of works in the collection ranging from art historical documentation and interpretation to conservation issues.
• To contribute to collection publications and online collection resources.

Title

Assistant curator associate curator or curator commensurate with career experience.

Compensation

Compensation will also be commensurate with career experience.

Position ranges from $50000 to $150000.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This is considered a role of influence and leadership. The curator may directly supervise and mentor interns and volunteers and indirectly guide and lead support staff and associates throughout the organization. As directed may also participate in interviewing and selection training and development scheduling and evaluating performance of staff in a variety of roles.

Required Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• M.A. or Ph.D. in Art History or a related field (American Studies Anthropology History Museum Studies etc. required with at least 3 years of museum gallery or related professional experience.
• Knowledge of foreign language(s) strongly preferred.
• Extensive publication history strongly preferred.

Skills Knowledge and Abilities

• Broad knowledge of art history with emphasis on modern and contemporary art.
• Expertise in post 1800s African American and Africandiasporic art history.
• Advanced research skills and clear lucid writing style demonstrated through scholarly accomplishments.
• Exemplary writing skills compelling public speaking presence and excellent oral communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and to establish maintain and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with a variety of individuals contacted in the course of work.
• Proven ability to conceive and execute exhibitions including exhibition development publication development and collection care.
• Excellent problem solving planning and organizational skills with the ability to execute multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously in a fastpaced collaborative environment.
• Working knowledge of standard computer programs with demonstrated interest in and working knowledge of museum technologies including ingallery technological innovations and collection management software.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The majority of work is performed in an office environment not subject to extremes of noise temperature odor etc. Regular attendance on campus required with intermittent telework options available.

Ability to operate computer printer photocopier fax machine and other office equipment. Work involves extended sitting and computer use. Ability to work flexible hours so that evening and weekend work for special events exhibition events and museum mission critical activities can be accommodated. Some local regional national and international travel may be required.

Work and Culture at the MFAH Benefits Offered

• Medical Vision and Dental Insurance
• Life and LongTerm Disability Insurance
• MFAH Retirement Savings Plan 403b)
• Flexible Spending Plans
• Paid Time Off Reserve Time Off Volunteer Time Off Holiday Pay
• Museum Membership and Discounts

Equal Opportunities for All

At the Museum of Fine Arts Houston we believe that diversity equity accessibility and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and to our pledge for workplace diversity inclusion and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race creed color age gender sexual orientation religion national origin gender identity or expression genetic information disability or veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1 participate in the job application or 2 interview process; 3 perform essential job functions; and/or 4 participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed please contact the human resources department: