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Assistant Museum Curator - Meadows Museum

Description
Salary Range: 

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, hands-on research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. The University offers a strong foundation in the humanities and sciences and undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs through eight schools.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is increasingly recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical leaders in their professions and communities. The University’s entrepreneurial spirit lives in people from every academic discipline who see opportunities to create something new in the world – and work hard to bring their innovations to life. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for our students, faculty and alumni to make a global impact. On the most beautiful college campus in the country, SMU Mustangs are energized by unbridled opportunities – from teaching, learning and research to creativity, performance and athletic endeavor.

About the Department:

The Meadows Museum is the leading U.S. institution focused on the study and presentation of the art of Spain. In 1962, Dallas businessman and philanthropist Algur H. Meadows donated his private collection of Spanish paintings, as well as funds to start a museum, to Southern Methodist University. The museum opened to the public in 1965, marking the first step in fulfilling Meadows’s vision to create “a small Prado for Texas.” Today, the Meadows is home to one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Spanish art outside of Spain. The collection spans from the 10th to the 21st centuries and includes medieval objects, Renaissance and Baroque sculptures, and major paintings by Golden Age and modern masters.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Assistant Curator works alongside the Museum Director, as part of a small permanent team contributing to the planning and implementation of an ambitious program of exhibitions and displays, and assisting in the care of the Meadows Museum collections. Their duties include: supporting the Director and external curators in the development and delivery of a variety of exhibitions, and leading on certain other exhibitions and displays; supporting the maintenance and care, research, display and interpretation of the Meadows’ important collection of fine and decorative Spanish art, as well as the University Art Collection; contributing to the Museum’s Learning & Engagement program and engaging with a range of audiences; developing networks and representing the Museum among colleagues, scholars, collectors, supporters and funders.  Serves as the Collections liaison to the Meadows Museum Advisory Council. 

Essential Functions:

    Curates Exhibitions and oversees their implementation: writing didactics, designing and overseeing installations, writing for catalogues, such as catalogue entries and/or essays, contributing articles to the museum magazine. Also can involve coordinating with guest curators.

    Research and publication of permanent collection: researching works of art to produce gallery labels and update curatorial files. Manages extensive provenance research of entire permanent collection, and oversees provenance project with entire curatorial staff to result in entire collection's provenance being published on museum website and other publications.

    Public presentation of collection and temporary exhibitions; includes training museum docents on new lectures and new acquisitions, giving tours at press previews, giving lectures associated with exhibitions or to present research on works of art in the collection, and participating in symposia organized by the Meadows as well as other art institutions and organizations.  

    Day to day administrative duties of the curatorial department, e.g., loan request letters, loan agreements, grant applications, contracts, financials, budgets, scheduling, and filing as well as managing curatorial staff.

    Occasional evening/weekend hours may be required. 



Qualifications
Education and Experience:

A Master's degree in Art History is required. A Master's degree or Doctoral degree in Spanish Art is preferred. 

Five years of experience working in a museum’s curatorial department is required. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate fluency in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish is required.  Fluency in (reading or speaking) German, Italian, and French, is also desirable. 

Candidate must possess excellent research, editing, proofreading, analytical, and database computer skills. 

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

Candidate must be able to handle high priority projects with keen attention to detail, schedules, and budgets.

Candidate must demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office. 

Physical and Environmental Demands:

    Sit for long periods of timeCrawl, standReach above shouldersCarry/lift 25 lbs.Handle objects (dexterity)
Deadline to Apply:

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by March 31, 2023.

Application deadline is April 16, 2023.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.



Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas
Job: Arts/Theaters
Organization: Meadows School of the Arts
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day Job
Employee Status: Regular
Job Type: Staff
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time
Job Posting: Mar 16, 2023, 1:17:23 PM

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