Corona
Job Description Position Title: Chief Curator Department: Exhibitions and Collections Reports To: Executive Director Position Classification: Full-Time, Salary, Exempt, Benefits-Eligible Work Location: Onsite at the Queens Museum (Corona, NY) Work Schedule: Full-time; must be able to travel nationally and internationally, and be available on weekends and evenings, as necessary. Salary Band: B5 Salary Range: $100k to 130k annually Management Classification: Supervisory Current Direct Reports: Exhibitions and Collections team including Assistant Curators, Assistant Director Archives & Collections, Production Manager, External Curators, artists and writers. About the Queens Museum The Queens Museum is dedicated to presenting the highest quality visual arts and educational programming for people in the New York metropolitan area, and particularly for the residents of Queens, a uniquely diverse, ethnic, cultural, and international community. The Museum fulfills its mission by designing and providing art exhibitions, public programs, and educational experiences that promote the appreciation and enjoyment of art, support the creative efforts of artists, and enhance the quality of life through interpreting, collecting, and exhibiting art, architecture, and design. Position Overview The Chief Curator (CC) is a key strategic role. They work closely with the President and Executive Director (ED) to shape and lead the creative and curatorial vision of the institution, develop and oversee all of the curatorial programming including exhibitions, commissions, artists fellowships and publications. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the CC's primary duties include the conceptualization, development, and direction of modern and contemporary in-house exhibitions; the determination of curatorial priorities; oversight of exhibition implementation; and selection and leadership of traveling and guest-curated exhibitions. This position provides strategic leadership across the Exhibitions and Collections team – supervising the curatorial, exhibitions, publications, registration, and preparation staff in leading curatorial and collections initiatives in accordance with standard museum practice. The CC is expected to engage actively with artists, scholars, donors, and the broader public, and participate in programs including lectures, symposia, and scholarly meetings. The CC will set departmental goals, manage daily operations, and chair internal meetings to ensure the department runs smoothly. They are responsible for managing budgets and with the Development Team they will lead on fundraising for the exhibitions program and to cultivate and maintain effective relationships with donors, collectors, gallerists and artists. They will work closely with the ED and Chief Learning Officer & Director of the Suna Children's Museum (CLO) to develop an integrated program across all strands of activity and to position the QM as a leading institution for contemporary art, social practice and culture. They co-lead the interdepartmental Content Team (CT) with the CLO and support planning and collaboration. Essential Functions Exhibitions and Programs: * Lead and manage the Exhibitions team and external curators to plan, curate and deliver an integrated program of exhibitions, commissions and projects including publications and digital content. * Determine exhibition traveling schedules and oversee institutional partnerships. * Work with the ED, CLO and CT to set the artistic priorities for QM and develop a curatorial strategy for the Museum * Collaborate and support the CLO with the new Suna Children's Museum and its wide reaching program of exhibitions and programs, digital content and community and socially engaged practice. The Suna Children's Museum exhibitions, content and programs will be led by the CLO. * Co-lead the CT meetings with CLO and set priorities and ensure that an integrated approach to exhibitions, research, collections development, interpretation, public programs, education and community practice and publications is fostered institutionally. * Solicit and evaluate proposals by guest curators and other consultants in exhibition design, architecture, visual arts, film and video. * Negotiate with museums, private collectors, donors, artists, and art dealers to secure and manage loans and organize co-commissions, partnerships and tours. * Oversee registration, conservation, framing, and proper care of objects for exhibitions. * Develop interpretive materials for exhibitions in collaboration with the Senior Communications Manager. Representing QM: * Serve as a spokesperson and advocate for the Queens Museums’ overall artistic program as needed. * Promote and support institution-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; attend and participate in Board of Trustee meetings as needed and maintain high standards of professional behavior at all times. * Work directly with trustees, donors, patrons, and other colleagues in the field, both nationally and internationally, to advance the QM mission and profile. * Maintain a high level of research and visibility within the field by contributing to and participating in professional conferences, symposia, juries and national/international events. Team Management: * Encourage and facilitate a culture of collaboration and support departments to ensure effective communication, efficiencies, and accountability. * Lead interdepartmental efforts toward long-range planning to align with the organization's mission and vision. * Work closely with senior leadership to attract and develop talent to ensure that people with the right skills and motivations to meet institutional needs are in the right place at the right time. * Review and approve exhibition materials, including grant content, marketing collateral, and interpretive texts. * Work closely with the Senior Communications Manager to develop and shape seasonal content plans and work closely with staff across programmatic areas to generate and contribute content on a timely and regular basis. * Regularly review performance of staff and hold weekly staff management meetings. * Establish work scope for fellows and interns and ensure they are well supervised. * Attend weekly Director's meetings and lead weekly ET meetings. Collection Management: * Supervise the Assistant Director of Collections and Archives and work with the ED to identify acquisitions, including identifying objects for purchase and making valuations. * Oversee the registration and digitization of the records and archives of the collection * Ensure Acquisitions Committee meetings are properly prepared and be responsible for committee meeting minutes and actions. Finance, Fundraising and Administration: * Develop budget/programming priorities for the exhibitions program on an annual and multi-year basis; work closely with the team to develop budgets in support of larger institutional program goals and artistic vision. * Oversee the administration of the annual budgets for the Exhibitions department, in collaboration with the Deputy Director (DD) and Finance team, to ensure budget goals are met at the end of each fiscal year. * Cultivate relationships with donors, collectors, patrons, and museum support groups to ensure long-term sustainability and visibility of the department. * Work closely with colleagues in the Development Department to develop fundraising strategies and secure contributions for individual projects, broader cross-disciplinary initiatives, and annual operating support. * Maintain relationships with collectors, gallerists and a wide range of donors to support the organization. * Prepare Board papers and presentations as needed. QM employees may be assigned other duties, and the essential functions of the position may change or be changed with or without notice. Competencies * Well-organized with a strong attention to detail * Demonstrates initiative, resourcefulness and a creative approach to problem-solving * Thrives in culturally diverse settings * Displays a high level of support for colleagues, builds professional and respectful relationships with others * Adaptability and flexibility Qualifications * Proven experience in museum management including exhibition and artistic program coordination and presentation, collections and acquisitions development, interpretation and public programs, project management, team leadership, staff supervision, and budget development/administration. Master’s degree in art history, curatorial studies, or relevant experience in a related field required. * Deep knowledge of contemporary art practices, histories, and discourses across diverse communities and global contexts * Ability to use a team approach to plan and produce complex, interdisciplinary programming. * Extensive knowledge and relationships in the contemporary art field across disciplines * Demonstrated track record with curating, scholarship and publications * Experience in art acquisitions, organization of exhibitions, preparation of catalogues, and supervision of gallery installations and other programmatic events * Proven ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external partners, artists, and communities * Wide-ranging international experience; ability and enthusiasm for working with diverse artistic and community groups * Strong leadership, interpersonal, planning, and organizational skills; excellent written and verbal communication skills; public speaking, negotiation, problem solving, and meeting management skills. * Commitment to the Queens Museum's institutional values of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) and community partnership and role of art, artists, and artistic processes in positive social and cultural transformation * Knowledge of fundraising principles and practices in the arts and proven relationships with a wider range of donors. * Strong cultural competencies and sensitivities, consciousness of cultural identities and difference, committed to intersectional thinking and practice. * Strong systematic and logistical thinking, able to troubleshoot, examine problems from multiple angles; * Language skills in addition to English desirable ASL, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic Requirements * Degree required; advanced degree preferred. * At leas0 years' experience as a manager and senior curator with established arts organizations. Benefits This is a full-time benefits eligible position to participate in the following benefits: * Paid Vacation, Sick & Personal Days * Paid Holidays * Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits * Retirement Benefits (401K savings plan, Pension plan, and Life Insurance policy) * Free admission to NYC Cultural Institutions Groups (CIG)s How to Apply: Apply through our online careers portal Submit a cover letter describing your interest in this position and a resume outlining previous work experience. The QM is accepting applications for the Chief Curator position on a rolling basis. Please note that due to the high volume of applications, only complete applications including a cover letter will be reviewed and considered for interview. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. for ANY employer. EEOC Statement The Queens Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, familial status, marital status, military status, sexual orientation, genetic information, HIV status, arrest record, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, genetic information, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.
