Job Description

The Chief Curator of Art provides artistic vision, intellectual leadership, and strategic direction for the Museum's permanent collection, exhibition schedule, and related programming. They are an ambassador for the Museum and ensure that exhibitions, acquisitions, and interpretive materials not only meet the highest standards of scholarly and artistic excellence but also inspire visitors to connect with wildlife and the natural world, consistent with the Museum's vision.

The Chief Curator at the National Museum of Wildlife Art is a seasoned art curator and member of the leadership team. They are an integral part of shaping the organization's vision, priorities, and mission. Through leadership and collaboration, the Chief Curator supports acquisitions and develops exhibitions that center artists' voices, lift up marginalized histories, and explore new perspectives. With a strong connection to local, state-wide, and national arts communities, they lead the Museum's exhibition development plan with a focus on the visitor experience. They support the Museum's continued efforts to foster meaningful relationships and open dialogue with the community, bringing relevant exhibitions to our visitors that enable the Museum to be a place for conversation, connection, and wonder. The Chief Curator works closely with their colleagues in education, development, programs and events, marketing, and other departments to enhance interpretive and educational content, support outreach, and strengthen the Museum's impact both locally and across the Nation.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Functions:

• Lead the curatorial team in developing and executing a dynamic multi-year exhibition schedule.
• Develop clear strategies for managing the display, rotation, and growth of the permanent collection.
• Manage, mentor, and support the curatorial team.
• Represent the Museum within academic and artistic communities.
• Facilitate interdepartmental collaboration to build the Museum's reputation and impact.
• Work collaboratively with advancement staff to inform fundraising strategies.
• Collaborate with the education department to develop and implement educational programs that support exhibitions and collection interpretation.

Exhibitions:

• Lead the conceptualization, planning, and execution of a dynamic, multi-year exhibition schedule that reflects the Museum's designation as the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States, considering the unique wildlife and conservation issues of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, while also striving for innovative exhibitions with national appeal.
• Foster partnerships with local environmental organizations, wildlife scientists, and Native communities to enrich interpretive content and visitor experience.
• Ensure that exhibitions and interpretive materials are accessible, inclusive, and designed to engage visitors of diverse backgrounds, ages, abilities, and interests, sparking wonder and curiosity about wildlife and art.
• Demonstrate leadership in sustainable curatorial practices, reducing environmental impact, and promoting ethical stewardship of wildlife imagery and narratives.
• Author interpretive materials including catalogs, brochures, labels, and didactic texts.
• Oversee docent and staff training related to changing exhibitions and the permanent collection.
• Present lectures, gallery talks, and educational programming for both general and specialized audiences.
• Effectively manage exhibition schedules, timelines, and budgets.

Acquisitions and Permanent Collection:

• Engineer and execute a long-range plan for collection development and other curatorial activities.
• Evaluate potential donations and recommend strategic acquisitions that strengthen and diversify the collection, in consultation with the executive director and the Collections Committee.
• Conduct and publish original scholarly research on artwork in the permanent collection.
• Cultivate a network of strong relationships with collectors, donors, and art dealers.

Administration:

• Direct and supervise the curatorial department including the hiring, training, and mentoring of staff.
• Participate in institutional planning and leadership at the department head level.
• Foster collaboration across departments.
• Manage curatorial budget and resources.
• Act as a spokesperson and ambassador for the Museum, engaging with the public through lectures, programs, and publications.
• Assist in developing and reviewing museum policies related to collections, exhibitions, and other curatorial activities.

Library and Research Resources:

• Direct the growth and maintenance of the Museum's library and research resources.

Cross-Departmental Support:

• Work alongside the marketing and education teams to develop innovative digital initiatives that extend the Museum's reach, promote virtual connections with wildlife art, and inspire wonder among remote audiences.
• Assist with public relations and media engagement as needed.
• Contribute content to institutional publications and digital platforms.
• Host VIPs, media representatives, and other key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the development team to cultivate donor engagement.
• Support the marketing team and promotional efforts for upcoming exhibitions.
• Collaborate with the education department to develop and implement programs that support exhibitions and collection interpretation.

Supervisorial Duties:
The Chief Curator of Art supervises the Associate Curator of Art, the Registrar, and the Preparator, as well as any part-time or project-based staff or interns within the department.

Commitment to the Mission, Vision, and Values of the National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA):
Vision: Inspire connections with wildlife and nature.

Mission: Impart knowledge and generate wonder through art and education.

Values: Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration, Transparency, Accountability, Financial Responsibility.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Art History or Museum Studies (PhD strongly preferred) with specialization in a field directly related to the Museum's permanent collection.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in a curatorial role, with a clear record of developing engaging exhibitions and scholarly publications.
• 3+ years experience managing and mentoring full-time staff.
• Thorough knowledge of current best practices for museums as well as emerging trends in the field.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Exceptional communication, writing, and public speaking skills.

Leadership Competencies:

• Communicates effectively-actively seeks and responds to input from others.
• Adapts and innovates-remains resilient, flexible, and open to change.
• Builds trust, earning the confidence and trust of others by consistently demonstrating honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Develops talent-effectively builds and manages the department in order to meet Museum goals, objectives, and budgets.
• Ensures accountability-determines objectives and goals, and develops plans to achieve those goals.

Benefits:

• Full-time, salaried-exempt position
• Comprehensive NMWA benefits, including:
• Housing and Transportation Stipend
• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Life Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan Contribution
• 20 days Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 Paid Holidays

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, sit, reach, and kneel throughout the workday
• Ability to work at a computer for up to 8 hours daily
• Ability to lift up to 15 lbs
• Ability to communicate via phone for extended periods
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate a car

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter, CV, and the contact information for three professional references to hr@wildlifeart.org with your full name and "Chief Curator" in the subject line. References will not be contacted without prior notification and the candidate's approval. No phone calls please.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this posting describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

The National Museum of Wildlife Art is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. We believe that diversity drives innovation and success, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

About the Museum:

The National Museum of Wildlife Art, founded in 1987, is a Jackson Hole museum holding more than 5,000 artworks that depict wild animals from around the world. Featuring work by prominent artists such as Georgia O'Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Carl Rungius, Rembrandt Bugatti, Rosa Bonheur, Eugene Delacroix, John James Audubon, and Rembrandt van Rijn, the Museum's unsurpassed permanent collection chronicles the history of wildlife in art from 2,500 B.C.E. to the present.

In 1994, the National Museum of Wildlife Art received the Wyoming Humanities Award for exemplary efforts in fostering the humanities in Wyoming. The Museum received its designation as the "National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States" by order of Congress in 2008. The mile-long Sculpture Trail was designed by award-winning landscape architect, Walter Hood, and completed in 2012. More than 65,000 people visit each year, and over 3,000 children take part in our school tour programming annually. Boasting a museum shop, interactive children's gallery, onsite restaurant, and outdoor Sculpture Trail, the Museum is located two-and-a-half miles north of Jackson's Town Square, and two miles from the gateway of Grand Teton National Park.

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National Museum of Wildlife Art

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Part time, Local area, Remote work, Flexible hours,

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