Assistant/Associate Curator, American Art

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art invites all people to explore the art in its care, and through its vast collections, the depths, and complexities of human experiences.

We strive to create a sense of belonging, where staff and volunteers can do meaningful work connecting people to art. We create an informed, invested group of staff and volunteers through shared values and open, direct, and respectful communication. We embrace IDEAS (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Sustainability) in every aspect of our ideals and aspirations, as we believe these values to be paramount to success.

Each staff member and volunteer will embody the institution’s commitments and agrees to exhibit behaviors that align with them. We hold one another to these expectations so that, together, we may know, own, energize and sustain our culture and the institution for generations to come.

Assistant, Associate (level) Curator, American Art

Reporting to the Senior Curator, Global Modern & Contemporary Art; Head, American Art, this position is responsible for research, exhibition, documentation, preservation, and growth of the American Art collection.

The Assistant or Associate Curator, American Art, is responsible for research, exhibition, documentation, preservation, and growth of the American art collection, The Assistant or Associate Curator is responsible for the permanent collection, gallery installations, and generating original exhibitions related to their expertise and collection area, and serves as a member of a larger cross-institutional teams including, but not limited to, curatorial, exhibition-related, outreach, development, and educational museum projects. The Assistant/Associate Curator must be well versed in and excited by the opportunity to concentrate on this period of historic American art.

Key Accountabilities/Essential Functions

• Collection: Assists and advises the Director and CEO and Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs, and Senior Curator of Global Modern & Contemporary Art and Head, American Art on matters concerning the collection, their documentation, care, and disposition and exhibitions of American art from the 18th through early 20th centuries in all media. Researches, publishes, interprets and installs collection in novel ways. Collaborates with internal departments, donors, lenders, artists, and community members to ensure a rich and vital program.
• Special Exhibitions: Conceptualizes and organizes exhibitions and collections installations in all media that place the historic collections in cultural and historical contexts; writes label copy and develops other interpretative strategies with the Interpretation team; collaborates with a cross-departmental core team on installations and exhibitions; and plans programming with Learning and Engagement, Membership and other departments; and collaborates with the Development division on donor relations and programs. In consultation with those teams, and particularly with the Manager, Exhibition Planning and registrars, collaborates on all aspects of exhibitions, including generating loans, securing venues for travel, and organizing installations. Also acts as venue/presenting curator for incoming traveling exhibitions related to collections area.
• Collection Acquisition: Works to develop collections with area, national and international collectors to strengthen the museum’s collection through gifts and purchases. Liaises with artists, galleries, and lenders to commission work or secure loans for exhibitions. Follows the art market and maintains dealer relations for new acquisitions; conducts research for possible purchases and/or gifts. Presents proposed acquisitions and deaccessions to the Director and CEO, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs, and Senior Curator of Global Modern and Contemporary Art and Head, American Art.
• Research: Catalogues and conducts research on American art collections—collaborating with other curatorial departments including African Art; Architecture, Design and Decorative Arts; East Asian Art; European Arts; Global Modern and Contemporary Art; Native American Art; Photography; and South and Southeast Asian Art, as well as Registration department; updates document files and insurance valuation. Works with Conservation department on the care of works. Answers or directs inquiries and requests for information on collections.
• Dealer Relationships: Follows the art market and maintains dealer relations for new acquisitions; conducts research for possible purchases and/or gifts. Presents proposed acquisitions and deaccessions to the Director and CEO, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs, and Senior Curator of Global Modern and Contemporary Art and Head, American Art.
• Donor Relationships: Supports the Director and Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs, as well as Development Department in promoting relationships with donors and collectors.
• Tours/Lectures: Conducts tours and lectures on the permanent collections and installations for the public, museum docents, donors, the media, and community groups.
• Information Requests: Participates in the development of collaborative responses to requests for information on the collection from the public, and scholars.
• Other: Completes all other duties as assigned and in the best interest of the department, division, and/or greater museum.
  
  
  

Education/Experience

• Master’s degree in art history, American Studies or related field required, ABD or PhD desirable.
• Assistant Curator, 1-2 years’ previous curatorial experience, ideally in a collecting institution.
• Associate Curator, 3-5 years’ previous curatorial experience, ideally in a collecting institution. For either level, curatorial experience must involve a significant emphasis on historic American art.
• Language ability: proficiency (reading, writing and speaking) in at least one other language than English desired.
• Understanding of curatorial practices and methodology.
• Knowledge and understanding of museum ethics and principles.
• Commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of diverse communities.
• Museum experience building and working with collections.
• Record of creating, organizing, installing, and writing essays and labels for special exhibitions respectful of all deadlines.
• Experience producing projects in a timely manner, respecting budgets.
• Demonstrated record of scholarship and leadership in acquisitions, exhibitions, and publications.
• Ability and willingness to engage with and connect to a wide range of audiences and donors/stakeholders.
  
  
  

Core Capabilities

• Emotional Intelligence: High EQ (emotional intelligence) with experience managing and building positive relationships with cross-functional teams.
• Inclusion: Including and integrating all people and groups; respecting people from all backgrounds and cultures; understanding, accepting, and valuing differences between people
• Curatorial Practices: Understanding of curatorial practices and methodology.
• Museum Ethics: Knowledge and understanding of museum ethics and principles.
• Communication Skills: Ability to interact professionally with all levels of internal staff and with external stakeholders. Strong interpersonal communication skills; diplomatic and collaborative work style. Excellent public speaking skills and ability to work with multiple audiences.
• Organization Skills: Ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines, and handle numerous assignments concurrently.
• Leadership and Diplomacy: Possess excellent diplomacy and leadership skills and the ability to effectively collaborate with and motivate a larger project team to meet quality expectations. Highly effective as a team member.
• Relationship Management: Excellent relationship management skills with proven ability to quickly earn the trust of key stakeholders, mobilize and motivate others, set direction, and approach, and resolve conflict.
• Financial Acumen: Maintains and applies a broad understanding of financial management principles to ensure decisions are fiscally sound and responsible.
• Engagement: Ability and willingness to engage with and connect to a wide range of audiences and donors/stakeholders.
• Technical Acumen: Well versed in technology and/or the ability to identify the technologies that have impact on the growth and sustainability of the museum and to attain the knowledge required to leverage the power of those technologies in the daily job.
  
  
  

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS

Department

Curatorial - American Collection

Salary Grade

Minimum Salary Range

Assistant Level: Grade 7: Starting Range: $61,903 - 69,617 per year

Associate Level: Grade 8: Starting Range: $71,173 - 80,092 per year

FLSA Classification

Exempt

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently move hands and fingers repetitively while typing or writing. Occasionally required to stand; walk (traverse from one location to another) sit at a desk for extended periods; reach with hands and arms. May occasionally lift to 20 lbs. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Schedule/Travel Expectations

Monday - Friday (general office hours are 9 AM to 5 PM) - Occasionally attends events & donor meetings after office hours.

10–25% of Travel Required

Non-Discrimination

The Nelson-Atkins is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.

For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art conducts pre-employment background checks as part of our selection process.

Salary information is a general guideline only. The Museum considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.