Contract Associate Curator
Contract Associate Curator
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Job Description
Position: Contract Associate Curator
Status: Full time temporary
Contract duration: 2 years
Location: Ohio History Connection & Poindexter Village African American Museum Columbus OH
Salary: $23-28 per hour
Summary:
The Ohio History Connection in partnership with the Poindexter Village Museum and Cultural Center (PVMCC) is seeking a passionate and creative Associate Curator to join our team on a two-year contract. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the narrative of one of Ohios most historically significant African American communities-Poindexter Village-through innovative exhibitions community engagement and collaborative storytelling.
As Associate Curator you will play a key role in developing a furnishing plan and interpretive exhibits that reflect the lived experiences and cultural heritage of the Poindexter Village neighborhood. Working closely with the Exhibits and Architectural Services teams you will help bring to life the untold stories of African American history in Columbus and beyond.
A central focus of this role is community curation-mentoring and empowering local voices to contribute to the museums storytelling. You will design and lead workshops training sessions and collaborative projects that equip community members with the tools to research interpret and share their own narratives. Your work will ensure that the museum is not only a place of history but also a platform for living memory and cultural expression.
Essential Functions:
Exhibit Development and Design:
- Collaborate with the Exhibits and interpretive planning team to develop and execute a furnishing plan that aligns with the museums storytelling goals and cultural themes.
- Conduct research to identify historically accurate furnishings and interpretive materials that reflect the lived experiences of the community.
- Partner with designers fabricators and contractors to create visually compelling immersive and historically meaningful exhibitions and interpretive elements throughout the site.
Collection Management and Curation:
- Identify and acquire new collections that deepen the museums ability to tell authentic African American stories.
- Research document and curate artifacts artwork and materials relevant to the museums themes ensuring proper care and recommended storage.
- Develop interpretive labels multimedia content and other materials to support exhibit narratives.
Community Engagement and Curator Development:
- Develop a platform for community curation equipping them with the skills and knowledge to contribute to museum projects and storytelling efforts.
- Design and lead workshops training sessions and collaborative projects to help community curators research interpret and share their narratives.
- Build strong relationships with community members local historians and cultural leaders to ensure diverse perspectives are integrated into exhibits and site interpretation.
- Facilitate the inclusion of community-curated contributions in exhibits ensuring authenticity and representation.
Collaborative Leadership:
- Work closely with the museums leadership project team exhibits team and external consultants to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
- Provide expertise in integrating historical accuracy with innovative exhibit design practices.
Public Programming and Education:
- Develop and deliver presentations workshops and public programming to deepen visitor engagement and create opportunities for dialogue around collections and the museum.
- Partner with Marketing and Development to design programs that inspire community participation and foster intergenerational connections.
Evaluation and Reporting:
- Track project milestones and prepare reports for museum leadership and funders.
- Incorporate visitor and community feedback into exhibit and program planning to ensure relevance and impact.
Required Education & Experience:
- Masters degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field PLUS three to five years of relevant working experience.
- At least three years of experience in curatorial work exhibit design or a similar role in a museum or cultural institution.
- Proven ability to research interpret and present complex histories with cultural sensitivity and historical accuracy.
- Strong project management skills with experience managing budgets and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams.
- Exceptional communication and public speaking skills with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
- Knowledge of African American history and culture particularly as it relates to communities located in the city.
Desired Skills & Experience:
- Experience mentoring or working collaboratively with community members or volunteers.
- Familiarity with community-based curation and participatory practices is preferred.
- Experience developing exhibits including conducting research writing text and item selection and installation.
- Experience curating and managing a collection of historical items in a museum or related institution.
- Understand basic project management processes including planning setting timelines and completing deliverables.
- Experience with collections management software.
Required Competencies
- Work independently with and in support of a team of curators NAGPRA staff collections managers and registrars to complete work; demonstrate potential to set priorities and appropriate boundaries in order to fully focus on projects with clarity and a feeling of accomplishment.
- Proven track record of public engagement.
- Ability to work with a high degree of initiative prioritize tasks manage time effectively and work well with minimal supervision.
- Passionate about African American history and culture as well as public engagement and preservation of and access to collections.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment (aligned with organizational best practices) in internal and external communications.
To apply:
Please submit resume cover letter portfolio (if applicable) and three professional references through the Ohio History Connection application portal Please direct inquiries and accommodation requests to Human Resources or by calling .
Ohio History Connection is an equal opportunity employer.
All prospective employees are required to undergo a fingerprint background check processed by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation & Identification (BCI) in accordance with the Volunteer Childrens Act. Additionally prospective employees will also submit to a drug test. Both will occur after the offer of employment is accepted. The results of the background check and drug test are not immediate disqualifiers to employment and are reviewed in accordance with Ohio History Connection policies and procedures. Inquiries must be directed to the Human Resources Director at or via email at
Required Experience:
IC
Employment Type
Contract
