What are the responsibilities and job description for the Curator of Academic Programs position at Oberlin?
The Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College invites applications for the position of Curator of Academic Programs. This is a full-time, 12-month Administrative and Professional Staff position reporting to the museum’s director.
Responsibilities
The Curator of Academic Programs is responsible for strengthening the academic role of the museum within the College by conceptualizing and developing programs and activities across all disciplines taught at Oberlin, including through leadership of the Academic Programs team.
The Allen is committed to enhancing students’ learning, engagement, and critical thinking skills through broad examination of the museum’s global art collection and integrating the museum into College curriculum through innovative and creative academic programs. As the primary liaison between the museum and faculty, the successful candidate must have highly developed administrative and organizational capabilities and be an excellent collaborator who thrives in an object-based learning environment. Outreach to colleagues in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music enables faculty to develop courses and classes that use the collection in new and creative ways, both supporting faculty well versed with the collection and training faculty less familiar with how an art museum is a springboard to curriculum. The successful candidate will be responsive to the museum’s strategic plan, committed to interdisciplinary teaching, and capable of deploying a contextual, cross-disciplinary approach to works of art. The Curator of Academic Programs works closely with the museum’s education team, while also liaising with collections curators on the development of exhibitions and programs.
Essential Job Functions
- Supervising a full-time Assistant/Associate Curator of Academic Programs and part-time studentassistants each year, and overseeing their recruitment and training
- Meeting and working closely with faculty to facilitate use of collections
- Leading and co-facilitating discussion-based sessions for classes in the Allen’s galleries and Print Study Room
- Planning and overseeing faculty development initiatives, including new faculty orientation, curriculum development grants, and pedagogical workshops
- Conceptualizing, initiating, and managing the installation of teaching exhibitions that support courses and highlight current and new research
- Implementing new strategies that encourage faculty and student use of the museum in innovative ways
- Working closely with the Assistant/Associate Curator of Academic Programs to schedule classvisits to the museum and manage the schedule for Oberlin College visits to the Print Study Room
- Supporting the museum’s strategic plan and executing tactics related to academic teaching and learning
- Consulting with collection curators on curricular potential of prospective projects and co-facilitating project-specific faculty focus groups in collaboration with collection curators
- Liaising with staff colleagues regarding art moves, teaching, and public programs
- Contributing to development and fund-raising initiatives, including active participation in grant-writing, management, and reporting
- Conducting assessment and evaluation of the work of the Office of Academic Programs,
- Active membership in the larger museum community, including attending conferences and presenting and publishing on innovative programs and initiatives
- Other duties as assigned
Marginal Job Functions
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. degree in an object-focused field of study (such art history, studio art, history, anthropology, or archaeology)
- 5 years of professional museum experience beyond internships with at least 3 years of teaching in museums or higher education
- Broad knowledge of art and material culture as represented in the Allen’s collection, and a willingness to learn about subjects and materials outside established areas of expertise
- Understanding learning needs of college students and recent developments in university pedagogy
- Highly developed communication skills
- Excellent collaboration and organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- High degree of professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines
- Strong interpersonal skills, collegiality, and a demonstrated ability to work effectively individually and as part of a team
- Supervisory experience
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive learning environment for all Oberlin students
- Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours
- Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds
Desired Qualifications
- Art-handling experience, especially of works on paper
- Experience with TMS (The Museum System) and project management software
- Foreign language skills
Compensation
Within the range established for this position, salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes an excellent benefits package.
Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply, candidates should visit the online application site found at
1) Cover Letter;
2) Resume; and
3) List of References
1) Cover Letter;
2) Resume; and
3) List of References
Semifinalists will also be asked to submit a teaching statement that includes how you create a supportive learning environment for students of all backgrounds.
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
Optional Documents
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- List of References