Windgate Curator of Contemporary Craft

AMFA seeks a creative thinker and effective leader to serve as its next Windgate Foundation Curator of Contemporary Craft.

In 2023, the Museum reopened following a four-year renovation that expanded the building and grounds. Designed by the renowned architecture firm, Studio Gang, the facility includes landscaped grounds, by the firm SCAPE, and secures the AMFA’s position as one of the top cultural institutions in the region. The building includes state-of-the-art galleries, an Art School, restaurant, Museum Store, theater, lecture hall, and other programming and event spaces.

AMFA is an active partner in the educational, economic, and cultural life of a diverse community, inviting discovery, creativity and learning through engagement with the visual and performing arts.

AMFA seeks a creative thinker and effective leader to serve as its next Windgate Foundation Curator of Contemporary Craft.

The Windgate Foundation Curator of Contemporary Craft is responsible for growth, research, presentation, and interpretation of AMFA’s renown international collection of contemporary craft.  The ideal candidate will have a passion for and knowledge of craft and a vision for sharing AMFA’s collection to both scholarly and public audiences.

This position will create synergies between AMFA’s curatorial department, Windgate Art School and public programs to enhance the Museum’s overarching educational mission. The candidate will have extensive experience developing groundbreaking exhibitions celebrating craft and attracting and engaging a diverse audience through collection installations, programming, and publications.

The ideal candidate will bring a creative and collaborative approach to curation, collection building, and programming.  The candidate will possess a deep knowledge of craft with an interest in connecting historic and contemporary objects and developing linkages with other collection areas, especially works on paper, a strength of AMFA.  The Windgate Foundation Curator of Contemporary Craft joins a department with two fellow curators and reports to the Museum’s Executive Director.

Primary Duties and responsibilities: 

• Develop new and engaging ways to showcase the AMFA collection through exhibitions, installations, art-based community collaborations, and initiatives that broaden the public’s understanding of art and artists.
• Research, organize, and present thoughtful and scholarly exhibitions, publications, and initiatives that are both accessible to the public and contribute to the field of art history. Help develop fresh installation of the Museum’s permanent collection and future gallery rotations.
• Collaborate with internal and external colleagues to develop and implement curatorial projects that reflect the AMFA’s mission of inclusivity and diversity.
• Recommend new acquisitions for the AMFA’s collection; identifies candidates for conservation; with a focus on contemporary craft.
• With Museum leadership to develop and articulate a compelling curatorial vision in alignment with AMFA’s mission and values.
• Engage a broad audience through exhibitions and related programming including public talks, tours, academic conferences, publications, digital initiatives, and community engagement.
• Foster relationships with collectors locally and nationally, actively soliciting their help in enhancing the collection, and communicate and maintain positive relationships with dealers. Assist with inquiries by scholars, researchers, and academicians.
• Establish and maintain strong, credible, and long-term relationships with artists, colleagues, donors, Board members, staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Collections Manager and Head Registrar to ensure institutional adherence to best practices in the care and display of the collection; assists with the development and implementation of policies and procedures, including conservation, exhibition and collecting plans.
• Manages budgets, balances multiple projects, and meets deadlines; performs other duties, as assigned.

CANDIDATE PROFILE: 

• A storyteller and writer. Effective communicator with exceptional public speaking and writing skills.
• Collaborative, credible partner who builds and fosters strong, trusted relationships across all levels, internally and externally.
• Innovative thinker who can balance practical and effective strategies and approaches to meaningfully engage AMFA visitors, the community, and public.
• Flexible, agile, and supportive staff member who embraces diverse points of view and creative problem solving to achieve the institution’s mission and goals.
• Curious, open-minded learner, who stays current with the art world, museum trends, and best practices that engage audiences through art.
• Possesses an advanced degree (PhD preferred) in Art History or a related field.
• Possesses 5-7 years of museum experience, with a demonstrated history of exhibitions and publications.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter highlighting your interest and a detailed resume to personnel@arkmfa.org