Overview

The Baltimore Museum of Art seeks a full-time Associate Curator/Curator to serve as Department Head for the Arts of Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific Islands (AAAPI), one of the country’s largest and most comprehensive collections of artworks created outside of the Euro-American cultural sphere. The department is at a critical moment in its history, embarking on a significant project to engage communities around the world in conversation and decision making around the display, interpretation, and conservation of historic artworks from across the world. You will take the curatorial lead in designing and implementing this new initiative, which stems from the BMA’s vision to be bold, brave, and essential—and to become the most publicly engaged art museum in the country. At the same, you will continue with the traditional work of the department, including supervising staff, proposing acquisitions, organizing exhibitions, conducting research on the collection. The successful candidate will be an out-of-the box thinker willing to challenge convention by working with colleagues to presence global histories and interconnected art historical narratives into galleries across the museum, both in and beyond AAAPI galleries.

These critical projects, and others, flow from the four strategic priorities of Asma Naeem, BMA Dorothy Wagner Wallis Director: 1) interweaving global and local histories, 2) building a more artist-centered institution, 3) deepening our commitment to education in all of its forms, and 4) developing greater community partnerships.

The BMA is soliciting applications from candidates with backgrounds in either African Art or Indigenous Art of the Americas. Upon their hire, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to hire an Assistant Curator in the other area of specialization. The Department is also staffed by a part-time Associate Curator of Asian art.

Responsibilities:

• Propose, research, and organize exhibitions in the candidate’s field of specialization,
• Lead a cross-Divisional team to engage communities around in the world in conversation and decision making around the display, interpretation, and conservation of historic artworks from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific Islands
• Work across the Curatorial Division to interweave the art and history from the Global South throughout the Museum, including in galleries historically dominated by Euro-American art
• Serve as subject matter expert for the Museum in the candidate’s field of specialization and maintain an adequate working and conversational knowledge of all collection areas withing AAAPI,
• Research and catalogue the collection, and add pertinent information to the Museum’s database and object files,
• Supervise members of the Department, including interns/volunteers as required; and assess staffing needs for the Department,
• Act as liaison for the Arts of Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific Islands Accessions Committee,
• Pursue research, write, and present justifications for new acquisitions (gifts, promised gifts, bequests, and purchases); maintain familiarity with the art market and network of dealers,
• Conduct scholarly research and write for various publications on the AAAPI collection,
• Develop curricular relationships with area university and college professors and teach with the collection,
• Develop and participate in public programs and on-line initiatives to generate interest in and educate visitors about artworks within the AAAPI realm,
• Cultivate donors to enhance the department’s dedicated accessions and exhibitions funds,
• Assist in fundraising for acquisitions, exhibitions, and specialist projects, as well as write narratives for grant applications,
• In dialogue with Conservation and the Registrar’s Office, ensure best possible standards in caring for the BMA’s AAAPI collections, including the negotiation of loan requests,
• Oversee various collection management projects in dialogue with the Registrar’s Office,
• Serve on Curatorial Strategic Plan Task Force,
• Manage department budget and conduct other administrative duties,
• Collaborate with curatorial colleagues as well as fellow staff in the Divisions of Education and Interpretation, Advancement, Marketing and Visitor Experience, and Finance and Administration, and
• Network with professional associations, including participating in scholarly panels and symposia as well as attending professional conferences.
• [For specialists in Indigenous Arts of the Americas only] Serve as the institutional NAGPRA officer.

The Associate Curator/Curator and Department Head of the Arts of Africa, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific Islands will report to the Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown Chief Curator.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in art history or a related, object-oriented field, PhD in art history or related, object-oriented field preferred
• At least three years of previous curatorial experience in an institutional setting,
• Expertise in either African art of Indigenous arts of the Americas as demonstrated through exhibitions, publications, conference papers, and/or special cataloguing projects,
• Ability to work collaboratively both inside and outside the institution with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Familiarity with national and international cultural property laws required, experience with community consultation and repatriation processes strongly preferred,
• Working proficiency in collection management databases, especially The Museum System (TMS),
• Working proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Zoom, and
• Excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.

Leadership Competencies:

• Communicates Effectively – actively seeks and actively listens to input from others.
• Adapts and Innovates – remains resilient, flexible and open to change
• Builds trust – earns the confidence of trust in others by consistently demonstrating honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Develops Talent – builds and manages the division/department in order to meet Museum goals, objectives and budgets.
• Ensures Accountability – determines objectives and goals and develops plans to achieve those goals.

BENEFITS

The BMA is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourage all qualified professionals to apply.

We offer a competitive salary and a generous benefits package. For this exempt position we offer medical, dental, vision, prescription, 403b retirement plan, long term disability, flexible spending account, museum and restaurant discounts, and reduced fee gym membership. We also offer accrued vacation, holidays, personal days, floating holidays, and sick days.

SALARY - dependent on Curatorial level upon hire $68,000 - $84,000

APPLY

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this posting describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

Please send cover letter, CV/resume, and salary requirements via email to [email protected] with “AAAPI Department Head” Last Name and First Name in the subject line.

Incomplete application materials will not be accepted.

No phone calls please.