New Curatorial Position at Newark Museum

ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE CURATOR, ARTS OF AFRICA

Assistant/Associate Curator, Arts of Africa
 

The Assistant/Associate Curator, Arts of Africa is a newly created curatorial position with a strong emphasis on interpretation, reporting to the Senior Curator, Department of the Arts of Africa and the Americas/Curator, Arts of Africa and also working closely with the Museum’s Education department.  The selected candidate must have expertise in African art and will work with the permanent collection to foster the educational mission of the museum. In collaboration with Education staff, the Assistant/Associate Curator’s primary responsibility is to expand the understanding and appreciation of the Museum’s collection and to ensure the most effective interpretative program and its integration into teaching. The Assistant/Associate Curator will be responsible for the cataloguing of the collection and will promote knowledge of the collection through exhibitions, publications and educational programs that inform the public, students and scholars.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts research on and documents the Museum’s collection of African art, including the compilation of records for cataloguing and object identification, and works with the Registrars department to ensure collection records are accurate and up-to-date.
• Works with Education department staff to develop and implement wide range of interpretative programs based on the collection. Disseminates research on the collection through publications (including exhibition labels, gallery guides, catalogue entries and articles) and educational programs, such as lectures, symposia, docent training, and gallery talks. Fosters integration of Museum’s collection into teaching by working with Education staff within the museum and by developing collaborative relationships based on teaching from the collection with outside institutions, including local universities (Rutgers, Seton Hall, etc.)
• Working under the direction of the Senior Curator and in collaboration with other relevant departments within the Museum (Education, Exhibitions, Registrar, Marketing and Development), contributes to the development and execution of exhibitions drawn from the Museum’s collection as well as loan exhibitions.
• Working with Senior Curator, contributes to the support of development activities, including assisting in writing grant proposals and other fund-raising activities and engaging collectors and donors to develop the collection
• Serves as supervisor to curatorial interns
• Contributes to scholarship in area of specialty through participation in outside symposia and publications.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, both one-on-one and in a team situation, and a commitment to collaboration
• Ability to communicate effectively and in a professional manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Self-directed; ability to take initiative and anticipate actions as needed.
• Attention to detail and ability to conceptualize steps involved in implementing programs as well as to see the big picture
• Excellent computer and organizational skills

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in art history, anthropology or museum/curatorial studies with focus on African art required.
• Preferred: one to three years related professional experience (museum or university setting).
• Art museum, research institute, or university teaching experience required.

POSITION LEVEL:  Assistant or Associate Curator.  Level commensurate with experience and qualifications.

COMPENSATION:  Competitive with excellent benefits package.

Interested candidates should forward their resume with cover letter by September 23, 2011 to:   
                Human Resources
                The Newark Museum   
                49 Washington Street
                Newark, NJ  07102
                Fax:  (973) 645-0306
                Email:  humanresources@newarkmuseum.org