AssistantAssociate Curator
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Job Location:
Mount Vernon, OH - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
29-10-2025
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Assistant/Associate Curator of Fine and Decorative Arts
Full-Time Exempt
Position Overview:
The Mount Vernon Ladies Association (MVLA) a private non-profit organization founded in 1853 preserves and interprets George Washingtons Mount Vernon the nations preeminent historic house with more than one million visitors per year; a unique fine and decorative arts collection supported by unparalleled documentation and provenance; a visionary program of whole place preservation; an active research program; and a strong online presence.
Job Description:
The MVLA seeks to fill a curatorial position for its Fine and Decorative Arts (FDA) collection at the Assistant or Associate Curator level depending on qualifications. The Assistant/ Associate Curator (AC) is a full-time exempt-status position reporting directly to the Chief Curator of FDA.
As part of the Historic Preservation & Collections Department the Fine and Decorative Arts division plays a key role in fulfilling the MVLA mission with responsibility for the furnishing and interpretation of Mansion rooms and outbuildings; exhibits in the Museum; and the development documentation conservation exhibition and interpretation of the Fine and Decorative Arts collection (including paintings sculpture furniture ceramics metals textiles glass prints works of art on paper personal accessories medals and tools and equipment).
Essential Duties:
Full-Time Exempt
Position Overview:
The Mount Vernon Ladies Association (MVLA) a private non-profit organization founded in 1853 preserves and interprets George Washingtons Mount Vernon the nations preeminent historic house with more than one million visitors per year; a unique fine and decorative arts collection supported by unparalleled documentation and provenance; a visionary program of whole place preservation; an active research program; and a strong online presence.
Job Description:
The MVLA seeks to fill a curatorial position for its Fine and Decorative Arts (FDA) collection at the Assistant or Associate Curator level depending on qualifications. The Assistant/ Associate Curator (AC) is a full-time exempt-status position reporting directly to the Chief Curator of FDA.
As part of the Historic Preservation & Collections Department the Fine and Decorative Arts division plays a key role in fulfilling the MVLA mission with responsibility for the furnishing and interpretation of Mansion rooms and outbuildings; exhibits in the Museum; and the development documentation conservation exhibition and interpretation of the Fine and Decorative Arts collection (including paintings sculpture furniture ceramics metals textiles glass prints works of art on paper personal accessories medals and tools and equipment).
Essential Duties:
- Under the leadership of the Chief Curator of Fine and Decorative Arts the Assistant/ Associate Curator (AC):
- Collaborates in researching writing and implementing furnishing plans for the Mansion outbuildings and historically-interpreted spaces on the estate. Upcoming projects include the Small Dining Room in the Mansion and the Stable.
- Manages access to the collection by responding to public inquiries and coordinating research appointments.
- Assists with the accessioning process from object acquisition to accessioning cataloguing and digitization.
- Research collection objects possible acquisitions and other Washington and Mount Vernon-related materials.
- Assists with planning and implementing semi-annual rotations of objects in the permanent exhibition Mount Vernon: The Story of an American Icon.
- Leads specialty tours of the Mansion and Museum.
- Works with the Interpretation Education Media & Communications Development Hospitality Retail & Licensing and other departments on guest services educational initiatives outreach filming projects fundraising media requests product development and other projects as needed. Ensures accuracy of information on all platforms.
- Represents Mount Vernon at on- and off-site events.
- Undertakes other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of two years full-time curatorial experience in a museum or historic site.
- Master of Arts degree in material culture museum studies or public history. Advanced studies focused on American decorative arts and material culture preferred.
- Demonstrated connoisseurship skills in collection categories relevant to Mount Vernon.
- Knowledge of current public history and museum practices. Familiarity with furnishing plans for historic structures desired.
- Record of accomplishment demonstrated by public history projects exhibitions publications public or professional speaking engagements and/or project leadership.
- Excellent communication skills demonstrated in strong and effective writing and speaking.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders on and off the Estate.
- Flexibility reliability and availability to work beyond a normal workweek.
- Ability to meet deadlines and effectiveness in following through on activities.
Work Environment:
This position is primarily based in a museum or collections environment with occasional work in storage areas conservation labs or exhibit spaces. The environment is generally quiet climate-controlled and requires attention to detail and security. Occasional travel or off-site work may occur for exhibit installation loans or research.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to handle delicate artifacts and artworks with care often requiring fine motor skills and close visual focus. The role may require standing walking or bending for extended periods during exhibition preparation as well as lifting and carrying objects up to 25 pounds. Occasional use of ladders or lifts for exhibit installation may be needed.
Benefits:
This position is primarily based in a museum or collections environment with occasional work in storage areas conservation labs or exhibit spaces. The environment is generally quiet climate-controlled and requires attention to detail and security. Occasional travel or off-site work may occur for exhibit installation loans or research.
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to handle delicate artifacts and artworks with care often requiring fine motor skills and close visual focus. The role may require standing walking or bending for extended periods during exhibition preparation as well as lifting and carrying objects up to 25 pounds. Occasional use of ladders or lifts for exhibit installation may be needed.
Benefits:
- 403(b) Retirement plan with employer matching
- Employee recognition at 5 years of service
- Monthly employee events
- Employee referral program
- On-site Library
- Discount on Public Event Tickets
- Discount in the Mount Vernon Shops
- Discount at the Mount Vernon Inn and Food Court Pavilion
- Free Parking
- Health Vision and Dental insurance
- Short Term Disability Long Term Disability and Life Insurance
- Paid leave for Sick Time Vacation and Holidays
- Flexible spending account for medical care
The Mount Vernon Ladies Association is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. As an Equal Opportunity Employer we are committed to building and retaining a team that represents a variety of skills experiences and perspectives. All employment decisions are based on business needs job requirements performance and qualifications without regard to race religion or belief national or ethnic origin gender/sex (including pregnancy) age physical mental or sensory disability sexual orientation gender identity and/or expression marital or domestic partnership status veteran and military status family or parental status or any other status protected under federal state or local law. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
- CCTV
- Airport Security
- Analysis
- Higher Education
- Jewellery
- Jboss
About Company
George Washington’s Mount Vernon is the historic home of George and Martha Washington, located 13 miles south of Washington, DC. Guests can see the historic mansion, stately rooms, and outbuildings preserved to the year 1799, the last year of George Washington’s life. Owned and operat ... View more
