The John Olbrantz Curator of Collections and
Exhibitions
Posting Number: R0007370
Location: Salem Campus
ABOUT WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY:
Willamette University, founded in 1842,
is a nationally-renowned private university enrolling 2800 students
across five colleges. Our historic campus, adjacent to the Oregon
State Capitol, hosts a distinguished undergraduate liberal arts
college in Salem, Oregon. Our downtown Portland campus is home to
the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). We offer a wide range
of professional graduate programs, including Oregon's top-ranked
MBA program, the Northwest's oldest law school, as well as MA/MFA
programs at PNCA and master's degrees in data science and computer
science.
Willamette University provides a high-value and comprehensive
benefits package to eligible employees. Our
Benefits Summary includes
options for health, dental, life insurance, retirement, substantial
paid time off, tuition and more. If you need assistance applying
for a job or have any questions on recruitment at Willamette,
please contact our
HR Department,
[contact details available in the full listing] or call us at [contact details available in the full listing].
POSITION SUMMARY
The Hallie Ford Museum of Art (HFMA) at Willamette University
supports student learning at the university as well as faculty and
student research, while also serving as a vital cultural resource
for campus, the greater Salem community, and the entire Northwest
region. Founded in 1998, HFMA has a primary programming focus on
art from the Pacific Northwest, with significant holdings of modern
and contemporary Northwest art, customary and historic Native
American basketry and regalia, and twentieth century craft. In
addition, the museum's survey collection includes objects from the
ancient Mediterranean, Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, and the
Americas. The museum presents an ambitious program of exhibitions
with three changing exhibition galleries and three galleries
dedicated to the permanent collection - in a total of 10,000 square
feet of gallery space across two floors.
This endowed Curator of Collections and Exhibitions position works
closely with the Maribeth Collins Director toward the care of
collections and development of exhibitions at the museum. The
position will care for and manage the permanent collection
(approximately 13,000 objects), develop temporary exhibitions, and
work with other museum staff on the curatorial efforts related to
the permanent collection galleries. The position manages all
incoming and outgoing shipping. Additionally, this position
represents the museum on and off campus, developing relationships
with the various communities that we serve to help guide decisions
around collections and exhibitions at HFMA. The Curator of
Collections and Exhibitions will contribute to and support HFMA's
strategic plan, institutional initiatives, and commitment to
equitable internal and public practices.
This position reports to the Maribeth Collins Director of the
Hallie Ford Museum of Art. The successful candidate will work
independently under applicable University policies, procedures,
regulations, and guidelines. Additionally, this position supervises
and works closely with a part-time registrar, as well as work-study
students and interns from Willamette University.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manages and provides proper care, storage, preservation of the
permanent collection; with the Registrar will respond to incoming
offers of donations from collectors, artists, and galleries; chairs
Collection Committee meetings where donation offers are discussed
and reviewed; oversees the cataloging, accessioning, photographing,
and storage of objects in the collection.
Oversees the creation and maintenance of the Hallie Ford Museum
of Art's collection records and collection policies, including the
collection database, digital images, and hard files related to the
objects in the permanent collection; ensures the implementation of
the collection policy; conducts research on objects in the
permanent collection as needed.
Oversees the packing, unpacking, and condition reports for
incoming and outgoing loans to/from the Hallie Ford Museum of
Art.
Responsible for the planning and coordination of shipping
arrangements for incoming and outgoing loans and acquisitions
to/from the Hallie Ford Museum of Art.
Identifies and prioritizes collection management projects in
consultation with the Director; identifies potential funding
sources for collection management projects; may write
collection-related grants; serve as project and budget manager for
grant-funded collection management projects.
Provide direction and context for conservation of objects in
the permanent collection; oversees the work of contract
conservators.
Coordinates with the Office of University Services about fine
arts insurance.
Reviews and makes recommendations to the Director about
outgoing loan requests and the ongoing rotation of objects in the
permanent collection galleries; responds to inquiries from campus
regarding campus art loans; reviews requests and assists in the
selection of artworks for campus loans; oversees the installation
and maintenance of art loans on campus as well as the Salem
Convention Center.
This position provides logistical and project management
support to all exhibitions; makes recommendations to the Director
about temporary exhibitions drawn from the permanent collection or
external sources; may coordinate and facilitate all aspects of the
development of an exhibition - including curatorial concept,
curatorial decisions, securing loans, writing didactic texts, and
arranging shipping; Provides support to student and faculty
exhibition projects. This position will periodically need to assist
with preparatory work (i.e., matting, framing, hanging
artwork).
Along with Curator of Education, serves as a liaison with the
faculty in the planning for class visits to the museum as well as
integrating its permanent collection and temporary exhibitions into
the liberal arts curriculum of the college; provides faculty,
staff, students, and researchers with hands-on access and virtual
access to the permanent collection as well as accompanying
information about the objects in the collection.
Advises the Exhibition Designer/Chief Preparator on security,
lighting, and display of objects in permanent and temporary
exhibitions.
Performs related duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible
curatorial experience in an art museum or gallery.
- Knowledge of American Alliance of Museums (AAM) best practices
and standards.
- Ability to establish and maintain harmonious relations with
collectors, donors, faculty, staff, students, members, visitors,
and others.
- Ability to execute those physical activities required to
perform the essential functions of the job.
- Strong research and writing skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
- Project management skills and ability to manage multiple
projects at the same time.
- Advanced degree in art, art history, museology, or related
field required. Any combination of additional education, training,
or experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities
required to perform the essential functions of the position.
Typical Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5
pm.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions: Typical work
requires moving artwork, equipment, supplies, furnishings, and
exhibition-related materials. Frequently and safely lift up to 25
pounds and occasionally lift between 26 and 50 pounds.
Salary: $70,000 annually
You will need to upload the following documents as part of your
application materials in the "My Experience" section labeled
Resume:
- Cover letter addressing the required/desired
qualifications
- Current resume
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received
until the position is filled.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIREMENT:
All University positions require that candidates submit to a
criminal conviction record check prior to hire. Conviction does not
automatically preclude candidates from being hired. Nature of
conviction will be considered relative to the duties of the
position.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to
perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS:
Please read the following carefully before beginning the online
application process. To be considered for employment at Willamette
University, please complete our online employment application. Your
application and all required attachments -- listed at the bottom of
the page -- must be submitted for each individual job post that you
are interested in applying. Once you submit your application you
will not be able to edit your application.
Apply online at https://willamette.wd501.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/willametteuniversityjobs/job/Salem-Campus/The-John-Olbrantz-Curator-of-Collections-and-Exhibitions_R0007370
Believing that diversity contributes to academic excellence and
to rich and rewarding communities, WU is committed to recruiting
and retaining a diverse faculty, staff and student body. We seek
candidates, particularly those from historically under-represented
groups, whose work furthers diversity and who bring to campus
varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds.
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