Assistant Curator of Modern Art - Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts

Position Summary
The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, part of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, seeks an Assistant Curator of Modern Art to help shape the Museum’s exhibition and collection program with a focus on pre-1950s art through a global postcolonial lens. In September 2019 the Kemper Art Museum expanded with new and renovated galleries that double the space allotted for display of the Museum’s renowned collection. The expansion also brought improved amenities and a higher campus profile as well as increased visibility and enhanced accessibility for the visiting public. This position offers unique opportunities to develop stimulating exhibitions and publications as well as to shape the direction of the Museum’s permanent collection with an emphasis on historically underrepresented artists.
The Assistant Curator at the Kemper Art Museum should have in-depth expertise in the field of pre-1950 modern art, proven experience with curatorial practices, and a demonstrated interest in advancing overlooked areas in art historical scholarship, such as Black studies and postcolonialism, and the educational and research missions of university museums. This candidate will also possess the ability to collaborate on interdisciplinary exhibitions and related projects with faculty across campus, especially in the Sam Fox School and the University’s Department of Art History & Archaeology in Arts & Sciences. The Assistant Curator researches and proposes acquisitions; develops relations with collectors, donors, and the public; and helps prioritize and achieve short- and long-range institutional goals. This position represents the Museum, the School, and the University locally, nationally, and internationally.
The Assistant Curator is a senior staff position reporting to the Curator.

Job Description

This position may be required to respond to developing opportunities, including covering events after hours and/or on weekends.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Advance art historical research on pre-1950s modern art to develop and execute permanent collection installations and loan exhibitions.
• Publish scholarship in areas of expertise in Kemper Art Museum publications, scholarly journals, and other external publications.
• Further disseminate scholarship through teaching, lectures, and participation in symposia.
• Lead initiatives to support the expansion and diversification of the Museum’s collection.
• Assist the Director and Chief Curator with the development of broad Museum support, including fundraising, donor relations, and public relations.
• Develop relations and programming with academic units across the University, such as the Center for the Humanities, the Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity, and Equity, and the Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies.
• Participate in interdisciplinary initiatives of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts to fulfill the Kemper Art Museum’s unique role among national university museums as part of a school of art, architecture, and design.
• Maintain and further develop relations with peer institutions, scholars, and artists.
• Oversee exhibition and related project budgets; research and write grants related to exhibitions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Applicant Special Instructions

Please include the following in the submission of your application:

• Cover letter
• CV
• Two recommenders
• One writing sample

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in pre-1950s art strongly preferred.
• PhD in Art History or related field.
• Teaching experience welcome but not required.
• Progressively responsible curatorial experience and demonstrated excellence in such areas as acquisitions, exhibitions, and published scholarship.
• Knowledge of critical histories and theories of race, class, and gender in relation to the production, reception, and interpretation of art.
• Commitment to work within a university setting and with diverse audiences and communities.
• Ability to collaborate with university faculty, Museum staff, professional colleagues, and Museum supporters.
• Proficiency in one or more foreign languages appropriate to the field of scholarship with fluency strongly preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in related field and one to three years of related experience or PhD.

Grade
G10

Salary Range
Base pay is commensurate with experience.

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Instructions
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