Introduction
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art (the Carter) is one of the country’s leading museums of American art. The collection includes significant holdings of nineteenth-century American landscape painting and Beaux Arts painting and sculpture, great depth in the work of Frederick Remington and Charles Russell, excellent examples of twentieth-century American modernism, and deep holdings of works on paper from the nineteenth century through the present day. Recent acquisitions include works by Ruth Asawa, Leonardo Drew, Esther Hernandez, Thomas Moran, Henry Ossawa Tanner, Benjamin West, as well as an unpublished archive of John Kensett works on paper. The Museum’s archives and library offer rich resources for research and exhibition possibilities.
Position Description
The Curator of Paintings, Sculpture, and Works on Paper will collaborate with the Director of Collections and Exhibitions, curators, and other exhibitions and collections staff to develop and implement an ambitious curatorial vision that advances the mission, values, and strategic objectives of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.
The Curator will take a leadership role in the care, interpretation, exhibition, stewardship, and growth of the Carter’s collection, with a specific focus on paintings, sculpture, and works on paper of the nineteenth century. The Curator will also be an advocate for community engagement, the Carter’s role as a center of new research and learning, and for enhancing the Carter’s position as a center for cultural life in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and beyond.
Responsibilities
- Lead the study, care, display, interpretation, record keeping, lending, and publication of the collection of nineteenth-century paintings, sculpture, and works on paper.
- Develop and collaboratively project manage exhibitions and rotations, from idea to completion through stages of conceptual outline, selection of objects, loan negotiation, research, writing, interpretation, implementation, budget development and oversight, venue development, fundraising, and programming.
- Publish and present original research on the Museum’s collection and exhibitions in formats including exhibition catalogues, scholarly and public presentations, journal articles, the Museum’s website, and more.
- Establish strong ties with local communities and partners as well as with a wider network of artists, collectors, donors, patrons, galleries, universities, and arts organizations.
- Build the collection through gifts and purchases in collaboration with the curatorial team, the development department, and the Museum’s leadership team.
- Work in close partnership with the conservation department to regularly assess the conservation needs of the collection.
- Provide curatorial oversight of the care, handling, movement, and storage of the permanent collection and art loaned for exhibition and acquisition consideration.
- Participate in the Carter’s exhibition of contemporary art and acquisition of contemporary works on paper, under a guiding philosophy of creating connections between the Museum’s historic collection and innovative modes of contemporary artistic practice.
- Collaborate with the education department to support the Carter’s interpretive program in permanent collection galleries and for exhibitions organized or booked by the Museum.
- Participate in programs related to the Museum’s collection and exhibitions including presentations, gallery tours, public programs, cultivation events, frontline staff and docent training, and other special events.
- Take a proactive role in the Museum’s culture of philanthropy.
- Team with communications/marketing to provide information on the collection, exhibitions, or other areas of American art to media outlets. Respond to inquiries from the public.
- Serve as a mentor for junior colleagues as well as for interns and fellows.
- Maintain professional affiliations in scholarly and professional organizations.
- Serve on Museum committees as requested.
Skills and Requirements
- Expertise in American art of the long 19th century.
- Substantial research record and publication history, including the development and completion of at least two major exhibitions and/or publications.
- Demonstrated commitment to positive collaboration with museum colleagues and to community engagement.
- Proven experience working closely with donors, collectors, trustees, and Museum members to assure long-term support for the Museum, its collection, curatorial programs, and community.
- History of successful grant writing abilities.
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
- A charismatic communicator, able to build enthusiasm for the Museum, its exhibitions, and its programs across diverse audiences.
- Strong professional network and growing reputation in the field.
