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Posted: January 28, 2008 — Closes: March 1, 2008

Cantor Arts Center/Stanford University

Stanford, California

Type: Full Time, Experienced

Required Degree: Master's

Preferred Degree: PhD

Description:
The Curator of the Arts of Africa, Native America and Ancient America, an endowed position, reports to the Director, and is responsible for the development of this area of the collection, reviewing and redefining its scope when appropriate. The Cantor Arts Center is integral to a major research university, and the curator works with members of the academic community as teacher, facilitator, and museum professional. S/he may sit on University committees from time to time. We are looking for creative individuals who enjoy contributing in a team-oriented environment, and will thoughtfully transmit their knowledge, ideas, and enthusiasm to visitors, volunteers, students, faculty, and staff.

The curator's primary responsibility is for the overall development of the permanent collection, which includes objects in several media from Africa, American Indian tribes primarily from the western parts of North America, including art from the modern and contemporary period, and ancient Native American cultures from before the period of western contact. We are committed to creatively developing both areas and expect the successful curator will, specialize in either the arts of Africa or Native American cultures, and have a strong interest in the other area of the collection.

The museum builds on existing collection strengths through selective purchases and the encouragement of important gifts. An active exhibitions program supplements the display of the Cantor Arts Center collection. The curator develops exhibitions, some of which travel to other institutions. The curator is also responsible for soliciting and evaluating proposals for exhibitions organized at other institutions and coordinates the presentation at Stanford of those selected by the exhibition team. The curator actively solicits, encourages, and helps faculty members and qualified students to develop exhibition proposals that are derived from primary research. On occasion the curator may teach courses in the University's academic program with a focus on the museum's collection.

This curator has the following specific responsibilities:

1. Collection Development

a. The curator will selectively acquire important objects through purchase with the museum's acquisition funds and selectively acquire objects by gift, with attention to issues of provenance, cultural sensitivity and legal constraints.
b. Develop a cooperative and productive relationship between the Center and the art community, cultivating potential donors and identifying desired gifts.
c. Be well informed as to availability and market value of objects, the proposed dispersion of private collections, and other available resources.
d. Be accessible as a resource for information on specific objects or general areas of interest.

2. Collection Management

a. Work with relevant Center staff members and faculty to ensure the proper display, storage, conservation, and registration of all works of art within the African and Native American collections.
b. Recommend acquisitions and deaccessions that will strengthen the collection, in consultation with the Director, other curators, relevant faculty, and other scholars.
c. Consult with the Center's conservator to determine preservation/conservation needs and priorities and possible solutions.
d. Consult with the registration staff on all matters of shipping and insurance having to do with works of art owned, loaned, borrowed, or being considered for acquisition by the Center.
e. Work closely with staff on photographic documentation and collection records in digital and hard copy formats.

3. Exhibition Development

a. Collaborate with the Director, collection and education curators, faculty and students in the development, planning, and presentation of the Center's collection, exhibitions, and publications, with emphasis on the art of this curatorial area including art from the contemporary period.
b. Develop, prepare, and maintain exhibition budgets, working with the exhibition coordinator and administrator.
c. Serve as liaison with other institutions and with galleries and collectors in the selection of works of art for exhibition, including the negotiation of loans.
d. With the curators, Director, lead preparator and registrar team, and other appropriate staff, develop and execute plans for exhibition installations respecting established deadlines and procedures developed by the exhibitions team.
e. With the Associate Director, develop grant proposals for exhibition projects and publications and help to identify potential sources of support.
f. Develop select projects with paid or volunteer student assistants.
g. Develop plans with the external relations staff for press coverage and promotion; provide copy for exhibition press releases and meet with press as needed.

4. Education and Publications

a. Collaborate with colleagues, especially the curator and/or associate curator for education, on the development of materials that will make the African and Native American collection more accessible and relevant to other parts of the Center, the campus, and the community as a whole; participate in the recruitment and training of docents, when necessary.
b. Research and write exhibition catalogues, gallery introductions, labels, texts, and supplementary essays and contribute to the Center's Journal.
c. Collaborate with University departments to bring visiting scholars to Stanford and organize the annual Franklin symposium or lecture.
d. Teach about the collection to Stanford students as time permits.
e. Participate in training and continuing education for Center staff and volunteers; participate in appropriate public events.

5. Campus and Community Relations

a. Serve as liaison to the University community; encourage diverse academic departments and student groups to use the resources of the Center. This includes the various departments and programs focusing on Africa, and Native American cultures and outreach to multi-cultural staff groups.
b. Encourage and facilitate the study of specific works in the collection, by scholars at Stanford and elsewhere, to fulfill the Center's research and teaching mission.
c. Work closely with the external relations office on matters of development, membership, and public relations as they relate to this curatorial area.
d. Encourage involvement of Stanford students, Center members, and others in the museum's activities.

6. Collegial Responsibilities

a. Maintain a calendar of meetings and appointments and be generally accessible to colleagues.
b. Participate actively in a range of curatorial and staff meetings, and assume some leadership responsibilities.
c. Meet deadlines for publications, documents, comments, or other written materials.

QUALIFICATIONS:

An advanced degree in Art History or related field, with a Ph.D. or equivalent scholarship, a minimum of five years museum experience, including involvement in exhibitions, publications, project and budget management, and achievement in field. Proficiency in one or more major languages. Experience with fundraising and donor cultivation is valuable. Teaching experience is desirable as is a willingness to teach and train undergraduate and graduate students in the area of expertise and in Center's collections and practices. Ability to help faculty integrate the use of the Center's collections into the teaching curriculum. Commitment and ability to foster appreciation and understanding of art through teaching, lecturing, and organizing exhibitions, and educational programs. A proven team participant with excellent communication and organizational skill.

Application Instructions:
Please apply at the Stanford job site.
http://jobs.stanford.edu/
Job requisition #28179

Application Address:

Tom Seligman
http://jobs.stanford.edu/

Additional Info: Job #28179