Associate Curator

The Denver Public Library (DPL) isnt just a place to borrow books; its a vibrant essential hub for our diverse city. As a growing urban library system with 28 locations and over 4 million annual visitors were deeply woven into the fabric of Denver.

Join a team where your values align with your work. At the Denver Public Library were not just serving our community; were building a culture guided by values that empower both our staff and the public.

• Welcoming: We make our resources services and expertise accessible for all recognize the inherent dignity in each person and provide safe places where everyone can be themselves.

• Curiosity: We foster a culture of exploration innovation and forward thinking by creating environments that support learning and growth.

• Connection: We are neighbors. We foster relationships listen and act to build and strengthen our community. We bring people together to share information ideas and experiences.

• Equity: We work to change inequitable practices structures and policies and attitudes that drive them to provide opportunities for every person in our community to thrive. As we do so we actively examine our roles in perpetuating oppressive systems.

• Stewardship: We are accountable to our community using our resources responsibly. We lead with honesty and integrity protect privacy and preserve and share the full history of our Denver community.

If youre passionate about service community engagement and creating positive change we invite you to explore career opportunities with us. Come join a team that believes in the power of knowledge connection and equity.

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but is not limited to:

• Four (4) Medical Plans Dental Vision Insurance

• Pension Plan for Life (employee contributes 8.45% employer contributes 17.95%) and 457 (b) Retirement Plan

• PTO (over 3 weeks in your first year) quarterly wellness hours and 12 paid holidays

• CARE Bank Family Leave Benefits

• Enhanced Work/Life Balance: Employee Assistance Program (6 counseling sessions per year legal assistance financial counseling discounted recreation center passes) Employee Volunteer Program

• Professional Learning and Development Opportunities; Courses and Career Development Resources; Education Refund Program

• EcoPass (unlimited free RTD bus/train rides)

• For more information please visit our website.

The Special Collections and Archives (SCA) unit comprises two archival repositories located at the Central Library and the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. Our team of over twenty-five librarians archivists and paraprofessionals are committed to exceptional access preservation and customer service for our world-class collections. SCA focuses on key collecting areas including the history of the American West African American history Western American art genealogy rare books conservation maps Colorado and Denver-focused history and more.

Within SCA the Museum Services team provides free public access to engage visitors with the rich history of Colorado and the American West through exhibits objects artwork and archival materials.

We are seeking two term-limited Associate Curators to join our Museum Services team in developing exhibits and public-facing experiences that explore our collections center community voices foster curiosity and advance equity. You will work at the intersection of museums library services community engagement and exhibition practice to create experiences that invite visitors into conversation with history art and culture. Under the direction of the Curator the Associate Curators will be essential in expanding and establishing this teams services.

You will conduct research develop curatorial projects and collaborate across DPL to organize design and install exhibits at the Central Library Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library and branch locations. Your work will directly support our mission to provide free public access to the rich cultural heritage of Colorado and the American West while ensuring diverse communities see themselves reflected in our collections and exhibits.

As an Associate Curator you will collaboratively administer all aspects of exhibits and temporary installations from conception through completion. The program themes and content must meet the librarys standards for high-quality visitor experiences.

• Conduct curatorial research for a variety of history art and cultural exhibits

• Develop exhibit concepts that ask open-ended questions and invite visitors into collaborative knowledge-building

• Write visitor-centered in-gallery text and interpretive resources that are well-researched factual welcoming accessible and foster curiosity

• Work with the Museum Services team to create welcoming and informative graphics for display

• Manage exhibition projects from design phase through implementation maintenance and closing

• Lead and collaborate with DPL branch staff in installations and de-installations

• Handle art and artifact installation following professional museum standards

• Conduct site visits and assessments for exhibition spaces across DPL locations

• Troubleshoot technical issues and adapt to changing conditions during installation

• Build and maintain relationships with local and regional partners including museums artists universities galleries cultural organizations historical societies and community groups

• Partner with donors nonprofit organizations businesses private collectors government agencies colleges and artists to accomplish curatorial vision

• Work with communities to ensure their stories are told by their members

• Lead public exhibit tours and collaboratively facilitate public programs that engage visitors with exhibit themes

• Research and identify potential new acquisition opportunities that address collection diversity and equity with documentation of recommendations

• Oversee art and artifact handling with attention to preservation and professional standards

• Complete condition reports for collection objects used for exhibits

• Ensure proper storage and display conditions to preserve collections for future generations

• Maintain accurate records including storage and display locations to ease public access

Were looking for someone who is passionate about public service committed to equity and inclusion and excited to reimagine what museum practice can look like in a library setting. You will bring both curatorial expertise and a collaborative spirit to the Museum Services team.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to move between periods of independent work and collaborative work

• Ability to occasionally work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends

• Knowledge of accessibility best practices and universal design principles

• Proficiency with collaborative project management tools and software

• Knowledge of Western American history Colorado history African American history or related regional history

• Experience with art and artifact handling condition reporting and collection management systems

• Bachelors degree in Museum Studies Art History Arts Administration Public History American Studies Ethnic Studies or closely related field

• Three years of professional or technical level experience planning the administrative aspects of exhibit programs or working on exhibits in a museum historic institution library cultural center or related organization

• One year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.

• Masters or Bachelors degree in Museum Studies Art History Arts Administration Public History American Studies Ethnic Studies or closely related field

• Background in exhibit maintenance and installation techniques

• Proven experience in the development of both permanent and temporary exhibits for a gallery museum library or related institution

• Experience project managing exhibits from design phase through implementation and closing

• Project management experience including monitoring budgets developing contracts tracking timelines problem-solving and coordinating the work of staff contractors and volunteers

• Experience in participatory or community-engaged exhibit practice and/or working with diverse communities and centering marginalized voices in exhibits or public programming

• Experience conducting collection assessments through an equity lens

Dont let a checklist hold you back! Research shows that women and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups often self-select out if they dont meet every qualification. If youre reading this and feel a true passion for making an impact we wholeheartedly encourage you to apply as an equal combination of education and experience will be considered for all applicants. Your excitement for this work matters just as much as your resume.

The Denver Public Librarys branches are the arms to the communityeach a unique reflection of the dynamic diverse communities we serve. At DPL we pride ourselves on showing up and providing support whenever there is a need.

While you may be hired for a specific location please know that we are hiring with the expectation that at any time you may be required to work at any one of our branches based on operational needs. This allows our staff to experience the full breadth of Denvers communities and ensures we consistently deliver the highest level of service across our branches.

Additionally DPL employees may be redeployed to work in other locations or capacities to support core functions of the library system during branch closures or other emergencies.

This position is based out of the Central Library in the Civic Center area of downtown Denver and parking is not subsidized by DPL.

Ensure that the Work Experience section of the application is complete and contains all relevant work experience related to the position that you are applying for. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Job postings will close at 12AM on the posted ending date. If interested in this opportunity please apply as soon as possible.

Offer of employment contingent upon successful completion of criminal history and employment verification

All Denver Public Library employees must apply through their internal profile.

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Job Profile

To view the full job profile including position specifications physical demands and probationary period click here.

Position Type

Library Hiring Range

Target Pay

Agency

Assessment Requirement

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race color religion national origin sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability genetic information age or any other status protected under federal state and/or local law.

It is your right to access oral or written language assistance sign language interpretation real-time captioning via CART or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you please contact with three business days notice.

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