Description

The Menil Collection-Position Description

Title:                            Assistant Curator/Associate Curator, Menil Drawing Institute

Department:                Menil Drawing Institute, Curatorial Department

Reports to:                  Chief Curator, Menil Drawing Institute

Status:                         Full-time; exempt from overtime

Work location:            Onsite

Salary range:            Assistant Curator, Menil Drawing Institute:  $60,000 - 65,000

                                  Associate Curator, Menil Drawing Institute:  $65,000 – 70,000

General Responsibilities

Along with the Chief Curator and Associate Curator, the Assistant/Associate Curator at the Menil Drawing Institute (MDI) is responsible for researching and interpreting the Menil’s collection of drawings and conceiving, assisting with, or executing permanent collection and loan exhibitions. The Assistant/Associate Curator is expected to contribute to building the collection and to supporting the Menil Collection's institutional priorities and mission. The Assistant/Associate Curator also oversees the MDI’s Janie C. Lee Drawing Room (study room), serving as both a facilitator and an ambassador in making the Menil's collection of drawings known and accessible to students, scholars, artists, and the public. Close collaboration and good communication with the museum's many departments, including Curatorial, Conservation, Collection Management, Exhibition Design, Public Programs, Publishing, Communications, and Advancement, is essential.

Specific Duties

1.       Curate exhibitions of drawings accompanied by research publications when appropriate.

2.       Conduct research on the permanent collection; build and maintain object files; and publish on drawing internally and externally as time permits.

3.       Work with the Chief Curator and Associate Curator to propose, research, and present new acquisitions.

4.       Collaborate on developing and organizing programs and other creative and scholarly events associated with MDI, including study days, symposia, and conferences.

5.       Write and edit gallery guides and other materials and publications related to the drawings collection.

6.       Contribute to academic outreach initiatives and cultivate relationships with local academic communities, as well as national and international scholars in the field.

7.       Help promote and support the MDI fellowship program, especially pertaining to the fellows’ access to the drawing collection.

8.       Follow established internal policies and procedures, manage, proctor, and promote group and individual appointments to the Janie C. Lee Drawing Room. In advance, prepare object lists and advise visitors on identifying works in the collection relevant to their area of interest or study. Coordinate with the Art Preparator, MDI, to safely display artworks in the Drawing Room, and handle drawings as needed during appointments. With the Conservator of Works of Art on Paper, coordinate special viewings of drawings in the Paper Lab. Document and track appointments and works viewed using the museum's collection management system (TMS).

9.       Lead class sessions in the Drawing Room when requested by visiting professors.

10.   Serve as a research resource for MDI fellows and interns and local, national, and international visiting scholars, answering queries about the drawing collection.

11.   Coordinate all study room events and manage installations and displays in MDI back-of-house spaces, including the Seminar Room and Salon.

12.   As needed, collaborate with the Collection Management Department on institution-wide collection access policies and procedures.

13.   Conduct tours for visitors and patrons, prepare talks for member groups, etc.

Requirements

Qualifications

 1.       PhD in art history or ABD.

2.       Minimum 3-5 years of curatorial experience with demonstrated scholarship in the field.

3.       Superior art historical research, writing, and editing skills.

4.       Passion for the graphic arts.

5.       Previous study room and art-handling experience.

6.       Knowledge of standard museum collection management system, The Museum System (TMS) preferred.

7.       Advanced knowledge and recent experience using Microsoft Suite: Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, FileMaker, and other standard office skills, procedures, and equipment.

8.       Excellent organizational skills with keen attention to detail.

9.       Adherence to deadlines and strong follow-through.

10.   Flexibility in meeting shifting demands and priorities.

11.   Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects in a fast-paced work environment.

12.   Excellent written and oral communication skills.

13.   Strong interpersonal skills.

14.   Motivation to function in a team and service-oriented environment.

15.   Ability to prioritize and independently manage workload.

16.   A demonstrated interest and ability to share the collection with diverse audiences and build a positive image and strong relationships for the Menil Collection.

17.   Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion and interact with colleagues and constituents at all levels.

About the Menil Drawing Institute

The Menil Drawing Institute program was established in 2008 in recognition of drawing’s centrality in the lives of artists and its crucial role in modern and contemporary artistic culture. An integral part of the Menil Collection, the program aims to foster scholarship and the public appreciation of drawing as an art form. An annual site-specific commission, the Wall Drawing Series, began in 2018 as part of the Menil’s commitment to exploring new approaches to the form and language of drawing.  

The Drawing Institute has an international profile as an important center for the collection, display, study, conservation, and storage of modern and contemporary drawings. The Menil’s drawing collection comprises some 3,500 works. The museum is actively expanding its holdings, which range from the 16th-century to today, although they focus largely on 20th- and 21st-century drawings.

Benefits

The position comes with a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation and sick time, medical and dental insurance, life insurance, AD&D, and LTD coverage. Employees may also participate in the Menil's 401(k) plan and receive an employer contribution equivalent to 5% of wages earned after one year on the job.

How to Apply

Please submit curriculum vitae, contact information for three professional references, and a cover letter:

https://tally.so/r/3y12ZB.

The Menil Collection is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks diversity in its workforce. The Menil is committed to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.