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Job Listing - Assistant Curator of Indigenous American Art

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) - Richmond, VA

Position Title – Schiller Family Assistant Curator of Indigenous American Art

Salary - $48,648/year

Job Type - salaried, faculty exempt position

Apply: Contact HR at recruitment@vmfa.museum

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) seeks a dynamic and energetic museum curator to become the inaugural Schiller Family Assistant Curator of Indigenous American Art at one of the world’s finest museums.

VMFA has a longstanding commitment to Virginia’s Indigenous American communities and recently unveiled signage in the building and on our website acknowledging the presence of indigenous peoples on the land where the museum stands. The Schiller Family Assistant Curator of Indigenous American Art will help shape the museum’s commitment to Indigenous American art and will be responsible for gallery displays, exhibitions, publications, public programs, and research related to VMFA’s growing collection of more than 800 works of art. Reporting to the Curator of American art, this position will also play a key role in the reinstallation of Indigenous American art in the new wing as part of the museum’s upcoming expansion and renovation project.

This is a restricted position gift funded by the Schiller Family.

The anticipated hire date for this position is July 2023.

This is a salaried, faculty exempt position that offers Commonwealth of Virginia employee benefits such as 12 paid holidays, health benefits, and more. VMFA staff also enjoy museum benefits like free admission to special exhibitions, previews of special exhibitions, employee pricing for select museum programs and classes, and discounts at Amuse Restaurant, Best Café, and VMFA Shop.

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Organize exhibitions with catalogues.
2. Build Indigenous American collection through purchases and donor stewardship.
3. Maintain regular art rotations.
4. Contribute scholarship to the field in the form of publications and presentations at national conferences.
5. Work across departments to achieve the museum’s strategic plan.
6. Develop and update area collection plan.
7. Engage with local and regional tribes for acquisitions and educational programming.
8. Update records in TMS.
9. Work with public, volunteers, and staff in program and educational training.
10. Work with American art curators on installations, exhibitions, and programs.
11. Facilitate advancement initiatives, patron development, and grant-writing.

Minimum Qualifications

Good communication and organizational skills are necessary for this position, as is the ability to work in a highly collaborative, team-based environment. Candidates should be able to multitask and work well under pressure to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects concurrently. Candidates should also have strong public speaking skills and engage with the community, donors, and supporters of the museum.

Preferred Qualifications

A Ph.D. in Art History or a related discipline is preferred, but not required. Museum experience is preferred, but not required.

Special Requirements

Selected candidates must pass a criminal history background check. Position requires employee to file a Statement of Economic Interests form annually.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply by March 30, 2023. However, this posting will remain open until filled. Please contact the HR office at recruitment@vmfa.museum if you need assistance.

VMFA is an EEO /AA and Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer. Diverse and inclusive hiring practices are at the heart of what we do at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.