The Vicki and Kent Logan Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art

Denver Art Museum

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THE OPPORTUNITY

The Denver Art Museum seeks a vibrant, creative, and experienced individual with a profound knowledge of both 20th century art history and current artistic trends, to lead the museum’s distinguished modern and contemporary art department into a higher level of regional, national, and international prominence.

Reporting to the Chief Curator, the Vicki and Kent Logan Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art (CMCA) will provide vision, strategic leadership, and direction to the department. The CMCA will design a bold and inspired plan for exhibitions and programming that broadens and enhances the visitor’s experience and interpretation of the Modern and Contemporary Art Collection and amplifies DAM’s mission and values.

The Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art will be a charismatic team player who will build, strengthen, and enhance relationships within the Museum and on local, national, and international levels. The successful candidate will possess strong and persuasive communication and negotiation skills, gravitas, and interpersonal savvy, and have an outgoing personal style. They will be expected to exemplify the DAM’s internal values, which include being dynamic, respectful, inclusive, creative, and curious, and demonstrate an authentic commitment to creating a culture where anti-racism and racial equity permeate every aspect of the Department’s work. The ability to maintain effective and positive working relationships with colleagues, visitors, volunteers, representatives of public and private entities, policy making bodies, and contractors is critical to the success of this position.

Responsibilities

Curatorial Vision, Innovation and Leadership

  • Possess and communicate a passion for art and scholarship; champion ongoing innovative exhibitions and programmatic content consistent with DAM’s mission, and values and that consistently meets and surpasses expectations

  • Oversee the day-to-day function of the modern and contemporary art collections, including study, care, display, record keeping, publication, and provenance research

  • Build and refine the collections and collaborate with collectors, patrons, curatorial colleagues, and cultural organizations to generate important exhibitions, publications, and public programs that engage current and new audiences and promotes social discourse

  • Bring fresh eyes and an innovative perspective to exhibitions, program content and acquisitions

  • Actively engage supporting donors and collecting groups to secure gifts of art that build the Modern and Contemporary Collection in alignment with the museum’s strategic direction for the collection

  • Encourage innovative and creative initiatives that spark new and existing visitors’ curiosity and create meaningful personal experiences with DAM’s collections and exhibitions. Identify opportunities to leverage DAM’s unique assets

Management and Business Acumen

  • Oversee the financial status of the department including developing long and short-range financial plans; Participate in institutional planning and budgeting process

  • Cultivate strong and transparent working relationship with leadership, direct reports, and cross-functional partners to ensure open communication and alignment around DAM’s organizational goals

  • Provide empathetic leadership and development to department staff and volunteers as necessary; amplify the contributions of the department and support staff through mentorship, strategic instruction, and management

  • Create and promote a positive, equitable and inclusive work environment that encourages innovation and supports consistency throughout the organization’s strategy; lead by example in DAM’s endeavors to examine and contribute to equity goals in the Museum’s hiring practices and workplace culture

Relationship Building & Cultivation

  • Strengthen existing relationships and develop innovative new strategic partnerships (with artists, donors, collectors, cultural institutions, and community partners) in Denver, nationally and internationally

  • Actively cultivate funding for acquisitions, exhibitions, research grants, and fellowships through association with professional organizations, foundations, and patrons on regional, national, and international levels

  • Engage and leverage the resources of the local and national community to establish a sense of ownership and deep engagement, commitment and involvement to the DAM mission and institution

  • Maintain professional affiliations in scholarly organizations, professional societies, and relevant committees

Collaboration

  • Provide collaborative and proactive input into decisions affecting the DAM’s overall exhibitions and strategic action plans; identify and pursue opportunities to partner with other members of curatorial team around exhibitions, programming, and acquisitions

  • Work collaboratively with educators and designers in the development, creation, interpretation, and installation of permanent galleries and special exhibitions organized or booked by the museum

Requirements

Preferred Candidate Profile & Qualifications

The Curator will possess the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

MA or MFA is preferred

Minimum of 5 years of experience in museum curator role or equivalent professional experience; 5 or more years of experience managing teams and building and managing budgets

Strong national and international network of artists, collectors, and professional colleagues

Exemplary relationship-building skills; able to create and nurture partnerships with colleagues, artists and collectors and other institutions and external stakeholders

Authentic and personal commitment to elevating all voices, artworks and perspectives and strive to support racial equity; culturally responsive to issues and changes in the world with a keen ability to navigate and cultivate conversation through exhibitions

Demonstrated success and appreciation for fundraising; ability to galvanize support and generate excitement while effectively partnering with staff and stakeholders in the process

Substantial record of achievements in exhibitions, publications and/or publications editing; exemplary experience preparing and delivering lectures, conferences, panels, and workshops to the public, professional colleagues, and other groups

Experience in museum installations

Exceptional research, and verbal and written communication skills; including social media aptitude and compelling public speaking abilities

Clear communicator with superb negotiation, project management and organizational skills

A multitasker who is nimble and open to experimentation yet able to make decisions

Must be willing to travel (art fairs, artist studio visits, etc.)

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The hiring salary for the position is $80,000-$100,000 based on experience.

A comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 100% paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance. Paid time-off for vacation, sickness, and holidays. 403(b) Retirement Plan with immediate eligibility to contribute and, after one year of employment, an employer contribution and match. An RTD Eco pass. A free membership to the DAM at the Family level.

The Denver Art Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

DRG Talent Advisory Group

DRG is a Talent Advisory Group. We serve nonprofit organizations that care for, inspire, and enrich the lives of people all over the world. Our team of talent advisors shares a commitment to the values that matter to our clients, bringing more than 30 years of experience to serving the nonprofit community.

Our mission is to support nonprofits in bringing together the right leadership, talent, culture, and structure—so people and organizations can thrive.

Eboni S. Gates

Search Specialist

egates@drgsearch.com

Sarah Skrovan

Associate

sskrovan@drgsearch.com

How to Apply

To read more about DAM and to apply to this position please visit - http://drgsearch.com/current-searches/?rpid=itxAFvs6mCo

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Posted on September 8