Job Summary

The Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College invites applications for the position of Assistant/Associate Curator of Academic Programs. This is a full-time, 12-month Administrative and Professional Staff position reporting to the Curator of Academic Programs.

The Assistant/Associate Curator of Academic Programs is responsible for strengthening the academic role of the museum within the College by conceptualizing and developing programs and activities across all disciplines taught at Oberlin.

The Allen is committed to enhancing students’ learning, engagement, and critical thinking skills through broad examination of the museum’s global art collection and integrating the museum into College curriculum through innovative and creative academic programs. As the primary liaison between the museum and faculty, the successful candidate must have highly developed administrative and organizational capabilities and be an excellent collaborator who thrives in an object-based learning environment. Outreach to colleagues in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Conservatory of Music enables faculty to develop courses and classes that use the collection in new and creative ways, both supporting faculty familiar with the collection and training faculty less familiar with how an art museum can be a springboard to curriculum and enhance innovative pedagogy. The successful candidate will be responsive to the museum’s strategic plan, committed to creative, interdisciplinary teaching, and capable of deploying a contextual, cross-disciplinary approach to works of art. The Associate Curator of Academic Programs reports to the Curator of Academic Programs, who establishes the priorities of the department. The Assistant Curator of Academic Programs works closely with the museum’s education and engagement team, while also liaising with collections curators regarding exhibitions and programs.

Responsibilities

At the Associate level:

• Meeting and working closely with faculty to facilitate use of collections
• Leading and co-facilitating discussion-based sessions for classes in the Allen’s galleries and study room
• Conducting faculty development initiatives, including new faculty orientation, curriculum development grants, and pedagogical workshops
• Helping develop teaching exhibitions that support courses and highlight current and new research
• Implementing new strategies that encourage faculty and student use of the museum in innovative ways
• Working closely with the Curator of Academic Programs to schedule class visits to the museum and manage the schedule for Oberlin College visits to the Print Study Room
• Supervising part-time student assistants and participating in their recruitment and training
• Supporting the museum’s strategic plan and executing tactics related to academic teaching and learning.
• Liaising with staff colleagues regarding art moves, teaching, and public programs
• Advising collection curators on curricular potential of prospective exhibitions and acquisitions
• Assisting with the assessment and evaluation of the work of the Office of Academic Programs, including keeping statistics relating to its work and gathering and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data
• Active membership in the larger museum community, including attending conferences and presenting and publishing on innovative programs and initiatives
• Other duties as assigned

At the Assistant level:

• Meeting and working closely with faculty to facilitate use of collections
• Leading and co-facilitating discussion-based sessions for classes in the Allen’s galleries and Print Study Room
• Supporting faculty development initiatives, including new faculty orientation, curriculum development grants, and pedagogical workshops
• Helping develop teaching exhibitions that support courses and highlight current and new research
• Implementing new strategies that encourage faculty and student use of the museum in innovative ways
• Working closely with the Curator of Academic Programs to schedule class visits to the museum and manage the schedule for Oberlin College visits to the Print Study Room
• Supporting the museum’s strategic plan and executing tactics related to academic teaching and learning.
• Liaising with staff colleagues regarding art moves, teaching, and public programs
• Exploring curricular potential of prospective exhibitions and acquisitions, and co-facilitating project-specific faculty focus groups in collaboration with collection curators and educators
• Assisting with assessment and evaluation of the work of the Office of Academic Programs, including keeping statistics relating to its work and gathering and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data
• Active membership in the larger museum community, including attending conferences and presenting and publishing on innovative programs and initiatives
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

At the Associate level:

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in an object-focused field of study (such art history, studio art, history, anthropology, or archaeology)
• 4 years of professional museum experience beyond internships with at least 2 years teaching in museums or higher education
• Broad knowledge of art and material culture as represented in the Allen’s collection, and a willingness to learn about subjects and materials outside established areas of expertise
• Understanding learning needs of college students and recent developments in university pedagogy
• Highly developed communication skills
• Excellent collaboration and organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• High degree of professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills, collegiality, and a demonstrated ability to work effectively individually and as part of a team
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive learning environment for all Oberlin students
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds

At the Assistant level:

• Master’s degree in an object-focused field of study (such art history, studio art, history, anthropology, or archaeology)
• 2 years of professional museum experience beyond internships with at least 1 year of teaching in museums or higher education
• Broad knowledge of art and material culture as represented in the Allen’s collection, and a willingness to learn about subjects and materials outside established areas of expertise
• Understanding learning needs of college students and recent developments in university pedagogy
• Strong communication skills
• Excellent collaboration and organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• High degree of professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills, collegiality, and a demonstrated ability to work effectively individually and as part of a team
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a welcoming, inclusive learning environment for all Oberlin students
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds

Desired Qualifications

• Art-handling experience, especially of works on paper
• Experience with TMS (The Museum System) and project management software
• Foreign language skills

At the Assistant level:

• Ph.D. in an object-focused field of study (such art history, studio art, history, anthropology, or archaeology)

Compensation

Within the range established for this position, salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes an excellent benefits package.

The expected salary range at the Assistant level is $51,000–$54,000 and at the Associate level is $58,600 – $65,000.

Oberlin College is committed to creating and sustaining a vibrant, welcoming community where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, and where every member has an equal opportunity to learn, work, and contribute based on their talents, skills, and merit. We value a campus environment that draws on a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and ideas to enrich education, scholarship, and daily interactions. The College adheres strictly to all applicable federal and state civil rights laws, including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the Equal Protection Clause, and related regulations. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic in employment, admissions, or educational programs. Hiring and advancement decisions are made based on qualifications, experience, and job-related criteria. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence, free inquiry, respectful dialogue, and equal opportunity under the law to apply. The Office for Institutional Equity plays a key role in supporting a fair, compliant, and inclusive workplace and learning environment for the entire Oberlin community.

To apply, candidates should visit the online application site found at https://jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/17542. A complete application will be comprised of:

1) Cover Letter;
2) Resume; and
3) List of References