The Koerner Senior Curator of Collections and Assistant Director for Curatorial Affairs reports to and works closely with the Director/Chief Curator, Lisa Fischman, to oversee all curatorial matters at the Davis: defining direction for the exhibition calendar and collections growth (permanent collections galleries and temporary exhibition spaces; policies and procedures; surveys and conservation priorities; acquisitions including gifts and purchases); advocating for, coordinating, and realizing richly exceptional exhibitions, publications, and programs that draw on and expand collecting strengths, enhance the mission of the institution, complement curricular goals, inspire students and faculty, and heighten the visibility of the Davis Museum in the regional, national, and international art spheres. Supervises the curatorial team, including education and public programs, and administers the department, including budgets and planning; coordinates closely with other Davis Museum departments, including Collections Care and Management, as well as with faculty, students, and staff on campus; and interacts with Wellesley alumnae, volunteers, and donors around the world.

ABOUT WELLESLEY COLLEGE AND THE ARTS

The Wellesley College arts curriculum and the highly acclaimed Davis Museum are integral components of the College’s liberal arts education. Departments and programs from across the campus enliven the community with world-class programming–classical and popular music, visual arts, theatre, dance, author readings, symposia, and lectures by some of today’s leading artists and creative thinkers–most of which are free and open to the public.

ABOUT THE DAVIS MUSEUM

One of the oldest and most acclaimed academic fine arts museums in the United States, the Davis Museum is a vital force in the intellectual, pedagogical and social life of Wellesley College. It seeks to create an environment that encourages visual literacy, inspires new ideas, and fosters involvement with the arts both within the College and the larger community.

The Davis collections include some 13,000 objects, spanning global history from antiquity to the present and including masterpieces from almost every continent. Today, the holdings are housed in an extraordinary museum building designed by Rafael Moneo, winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize. In addition to dynamic presentations of the permanent collections, and installations that support specific coursework and research interests, the Davis hosts a rotating series of engaging temporary exhibitions and programs organized to inform, delight, and challenge visitors.

Since 1875, Wellesley College has been the preeminent liberal arts college for women. Known for its intellectual rigor and its remarkable track record for the cultivation of women leaders in every arena, Wellesley—only 12 miles from Boston—is home to some 2,400 undergraduates from 49 states and 58 countries.

Ph.D. in Art History required. The ideal candidate will be a European specialist with recognized scholarly expertise and curatorial achievement, as well as demonstrated administrative competence, proven knowledge of curatorial and museum best practices, significant supervisory experience, 5-7 years of work in an art museum, a track record of substantial and inventive exhibitions, and publications of significance in the field.

The position requires: excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to work effectively as a manager and to demonstrate leadership within a genuinely collaborative environment, organizational and interpersonal acumen, grant writing and administration experience, proficiency in a digital environment, flexibility, collegiality, cordiality, and a sense of humor. Travel and event attendance are required; other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate will join the staff of a museum at the center of the intellectual life of a vital undergraduate campus, and to be effective will possess a strong commitment to the unique orientation of the academic museum and to the teaching mission of the Davis.