The John Olbrantz Curator of Collections and Exhibitions

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, View email address on aiapply.co or call us at View phone number on aiapply.co.

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 proper 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 may 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.