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The Associate Curator will work with the Lewis’s Collections and Exhibitions team under the supervision of the Executive Director, who also functions as the Chief Curator. The Associate Curator develops exhibitions throughout the museum and works with Collections and Exhibitions staff to maintain and update the 3rd floor permanent exhibition. She/he works collaboratively with the Registrar & Collection Manager who has the primary responsibility for managing and documenting the collection. He/she will also work collaboratively with Collections and Exhibitions staff to acquire and deaccession works, to manage donation offers, cultivate donors, and other departmental duties as needed. She/he will support the development of new digital initiatives within the department, and initiatives that engage the community with the museum’s collection as needed.
Background
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture (the Lewis) opened in June 2005, in the heart of downtown Baltimore. The 82,000 square foot building houses 10,000 artifacts showcasing 400 years of Maryland African American history and culture. The museum is the premier experience and best resource for information and inspiration about African American Marylanders. As the gateway to history through living culture, the museum showcases groundbreaking collections, exhibitions, performances, public and educational programs for all ages, and bridges the gap between the past and the present.
The Lewis is the second largest African American museum on the east coast, and is committed to protecting and interpreting Maryland’s African American history and culture. The museum is named after Reginald F. Lewis, a native of Baltimore and the first African American to close a billion-dollar international leverage buyout deal in 31 countries. He was one of the first African Americans to open a law firm on Wall Street.
Responsibilities
Research specific people, places, and events related to the history of Maryland African Americans in support of the museum’s exhibitions and programs. The Associate Curator will be well versed in the scholarship and latest research relating to African Americans and the African diaspora in Maryland. He/she is expected to work collegially with scholars in African American and Africana studies.
Develop exhibitions for the museum. Initiate the creation of museum exhibitions, especially in collaboration with other institutions locally and nationally. Identify loan exhibitions that are cost-effective and relevant to Maryland.
Cultivate donors, handle donation offers, identify objects for acquisitions and deaccession projects and conduct object research as necessary.
Draft exhibition texts and ID labels, according to an approved museum process.
Move, lift, carry, and otherwise move objects weighing up to 30 pounds.
Contribute to and promote a positive culture at the Lewis through interactions with colleagues, external partners, and all audiences.
Create a team spirit and enhance communications within Collections and Exhibitions so that staff members will work collaboratively and in a supportive manner across departmental and functional area boundaries.
Contribute content to grants as needed.
Internally works with:
Executive Director and senior management team
Collections and Exhibitions team, including the Registrar/Collections Manager and the Exhibition Designer, in all aspects of collection management, exhibition design, development, and installation
Development Department in the writing of grants and cultivation of donors
PR/Marketing staff in the promotion of exhibitions and collections
Manager of Special Projects
Board of Directors as required
Other cross-departmental staff as needed
Externally works with:
Other local, national or international museums and cultural institutions
Local, national or international scholars
Local community organizations
Other individuals, organizations, and foundations as needed
Requirements
3-5 years in a curatorial setting or equivalent experience
A. degree or higher in American History, African American or Africana studies or related discipline
Experience conducting research in the subject areas of American and/or African American History for a museum setting or equivalent public audience
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite desired. Knowledge of Past Perfect collections database a plus.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and solid interpersonal skills required.
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team required
Well organized and attention to detail required
Must be a motivated self-starter
Commitment to the mission, values, and ethics of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum
How to Apply
This is a full-time position with State benefits. Salary commensurate with experience. Send cover letter, C.V., and 3 professional references to: info.services@lewismuseum.org or mail to: The Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, Attn: Human Resources. No phone calls please.
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Posted on December 20