Museums Director and Chief Curator

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Do you want to lead a nationally respected teaching museum where collections are actively used in the classroom across disciplines Are you inspired by the opportunity to teach students through direct engagement with original works of art material culture and one of the largest campus public art collections in the country

If so University Museums at Iowa State University invites a forward-thinking collaborative and visionary leader to serve as its next Warren and Beverly Madden Endowed University Museums Director and Chief Curator!

The Director and Chief Curator will shape the next chapter of a teaching museum known for integrating art and material culture into academic life fostering interdisciplinary inquiry and creating meaningful experiences that spark discovery and critical thinking. Leading a permanent collection of more than 30000 objects spanning ten centuries and multiple continents the Director and Chief Curator will steward thoughtful growth care interpretation and scholarship that deepen University Museums impact on teaching research and public engagement.

The Director and Chief Curator will partner with faculty and university leadership to expand object-based teaching across disciplines; guide bold intellectually rigorous exhibitions and programs; and elevate University Museums regional national and international profile. The role offers the opportunity to champion original scholarship strengthen community and donor relationships and help shape a unified vision for the arts at a world-class Research I institution.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Specialty Business and Cultural Arts the Warren and Beverly Madden Endowed University Museums Director and Chief Curator oversees all museum activities including strategic planning curatorial leadership donor relations collections stewardship educational programming development and personnel management. The successful candidate will bring deep knowledge of the arts a commitment to the values of a practical and engaged education and the leadership capacity to advance a mission-driven museum that embodies the spirit and responsibilities of a public landgrant university.

What Youll Do:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for University Museums aligning mission priorities and resources with university goals and museum best practices.

• Lead curatorial vision collections stewardship and exhibition programming across all museum sites to advance teaching research and public engagement.

• Foster interdisciplinary partnerships with faculty academic units museums and community organizations to expand objectbased learning and access to the collections.

• Serve as the chief advocate and public representative for University Museums locally nationally and internationally.

• Oversee personnel budgets policies and accreditation to ensure effective operations and organizational excellence.

• Build philanthropic support through donor cultivation fundraising strategy and collaboration with advancement partners.

This position will be classified as a Museums Director.

This role involves occasional travel including nationwide travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience working with donors and corporate funders (fundraising)

• Experience with grant writing and securing grant funding

• Demonstrated executive-level leadership

• Experience with budget formulation using multiple funding sources

• Experience developing academic and/or educational programs

• Demonstrated knowledge of museum curatorial and collections management software

Department/Program & College Description:
University Museums is a distinctive multifaceted museum system comprising Brunnier Art Museum Christian Petersen Art Museum Farm House Museum (a National Historic Landmark) Anderson Sculpture Garden and the Art on Campus Collection and Programone of the nations largest campus public art collections with more than 2700 works enlivening a 1900-acre landgrant campus. As a vital contributor to Iowa States landgrant mission of teaching research scholarship and public service University Museums is a dynamic cultural and intellectual resource for students faculty staff alumni and communities across Iowa. University Museums has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 1983.

Department Unit/Website:
Iowa State University Museums

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position serves at the pleasure of university administration and is exempt from certain P&S policies.

This posting will be open until filled. However to receive full consideration applications need to be submitted before May 14th 2026.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position please click on Apply and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits including medical and dental as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans

• Generous vacation holiday and sick time and leave plans

• Onsite childcare (Ames Iowa)

• Life insurance and long-term disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Various voluntary benefits and discounts

• Employee Assistance Program

• Wellbeing program

• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when where and how you do your work. For more information please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process please email or call or Toll Free: 1-.

This position serves at the pleasure of university administration and is exempt from certain P&S policies.

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Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race color age ethnicity religion national origin pregnancy sexual orientation genetic information sex marital status disability or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity 2680 Beardshear Hall 515 Morrill Road Ames Iowa 50011 Tel. email .

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.