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Curator of American Art, Williams College Museum of Art
Deadline: Job accepts proposals until a suitable hire is found.

The Williams College Museum of Art, one of the leading college art museums in the country, is seeking a dynamic, innovative curator of American art, the Eugénie Prendergast Curator, with a deep commitment to both academic and public engagement with American art and culture.

As a teaching and learning museum, the Williams College Museum of Art advances learning through lively and innovative approaches to art for the students of Williams College and nearby communities. The Museum is at an exciting moment in its history, with new leadership and staff across senior staff and newly formed curatorial and public engagement divisions. The Museum has a broad collection of more than 13,000 objects with key strengths in 19th and 20th century American art, Photography, and Contemporary art. The American art collection includes works by Mary Cassatt, Thomas Eakins, John Marin, Charles Demuth, Grant Wood, Georgia O’Keeffe, Edward Hopper, Paul Cadmus, Jacob Lawrence, and others. The museum is also the world’s largest repository of works of art by the artist brothers Charles and Maurice Prendergast and is home to both the family archive and over 400 works of art. Visit our website: http://wcma.williams.edu/

This position reports to the Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs, and is a critical member of a highly collaborative curatorial and public engagement team of eight. S/he envisions and plans exhibitions, provides direction for the growth of the American art collection, and imagines and plans innovative public, academic, and online programs and publications centered on American art, including the Prendergast holdings, often in collaboration with faculty and students. S/he is also encouraged to teach courses on occasion.

Responsibilities:

Based on original research, plans and conceptualizes exhibitions and other projects on American art and culture, examining interdisciplinary and diverse topics and historical themes. Writes and edits scholarly materials that appeal to a broad range of museum visitors.
Oversees and provides direction and a forward-thinking vision for the Prendergast Archive and Study Center, (PASC). PASC is an umbrella for the management of Charles and Maurice Prendergast’ archival documents, research files, and works of art. The material is catalogued, digitized, and largely available online. This rich resource and broad documentation now affords broad possibilities, in terms of research and exhibitions, new forms of publication and student engagement, and broad collaboration in the fields of American/European art and material culture in the period of the Prendergast’s lifetime.
Advocate for the PASC on and off campus and help to make curricular connections between the PASC and courses taught at Williams. Bring enthusiasm and a fresh vision to these materials and be capable of inspiring and mentoring college and graduate students– the next generation of scholars and curators in the field.
Forge relationships with organizations/foundations and seek opportunities for partnerships with organizations in the region, including the Clark Art Institute, MASS MoCA, and nearby colleges and museums, as well as national and international organizations.
Prepare a long-range plan for American art holdings.
Identify acquisition and conservation priorities. May recommend works for de-accession and conduct relevant research.
Collaborate with development staff on fundraising and grant writing. Actively cultivate relationships with foundations, existing major and potential donors, collectors, and others.
Work collaboratively with staff in the public and academic engagement division to develop interpretive programs and materials, and to make exhibitions relevant to Williams’ coursework and diverse audiences.
Present talks, lectures and/or teach courses. Actively engage in website and other digital outreach media, including the museum’s blog.
May supervise support staff and guest curators.

Requirements:

Ph.D. in art history strongly preferred, M.A. required with an emphasis in American Art before 1945. 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in a museum and/or academic setting, with a preference for deep expertise in American and/or European art during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. S/he will have broad intellectual and curatorial interests in American art and culture, and a deep interest to students and the public. S/he should be able to work effectively on a peer level with faculty and must possess superb written, oral, and visual skills. Applicants must demonstrate a track record of successful experience in the conception and development of exhibitions and educational initiatives from their earliest stages to realization and evaluation, and should have a wide professional network. S/he should have demonstrated interest in digital scholarship and online publishing. S/he must possess a strong commitment to working as part of a collegial, dynamic team and enjoy forming partnerships in the unique environment of a small liberal arts college.

Employment at Williams is contingent on the verification of background information submitted by the applicant, including the completion of a criminal record check, and education when applicable.

Please send resume materials and writing sample, including job #300866-W to:
by e-mail to: [email protected] or by postal mail to:

Office of Human Resources, Williams College
100 Spring Street Suite 201
Williamstown, MA 01267

Further information: http://hr.williams.edu/employment-opportunities/curator-of-american-art/