Museum Curator - Meadows Museum
Southern Methodist University Inc

Job Info

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Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

The Meadows Museum is a thriving university art museum and a leading institution for the study and presentation of the art of Spain in the U.S. In 1962, Dallas businessman and philanthropist Algur H. Meadows donated his private collection of Spanish paintings, as well as funds to start a museum, to Southern Methodist University. The museum opened to the public in 1965, marking the first step in fulfilling Meadows's vision to create "a small Prado for Texas." Today, the Meadows is home to a comprehensive and high-quality collection of peninsular Spanish art. The collection spans from the 10th to the 21st centuries with a particular strength in painting, sculpture, and works on paper from the late medieval to modern periods.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

To curate exhibitions of Spanish and other schools of art and material culture. To research SMU's art collections, including the Algur H. Meadows, the Elizabeth Meadows collections, and the University Art Collection. To seek and research potential acquisitions as well as develop and implement exhibitions. The curator should be an ambassador and advocate of the museum internationally and cultivate patrons and supporters of the institution, including the Meadows Museum Advisory Council.

Essential Functions:

• • Curate, co-curate, and coordinate art exhibitions of varied subjects usually, but not always, related to the permanent collections and oversee their implementation (sometimes in collaboration with an outside curator): writing or editing gallery text, designing and overseeing installations, writing for and editing catalogues, contributing articles to the museum magazine.
  
• Research and publish on permanent collection: researching works of art to produce or update gallery labels and update curatorial files. Manage provenance research of potential acquisitions and of the permanent collection. Serve as an active member of the SMU, national, and international community of scholars and museum professionals. Work with the staff of the Custard Institute for Spanish Art and Culture.
  
• Public presentation of collection and temporary exhibitions; includes working with the museum's education department to carry out docent training; tours for visitors, VIP guests, MMAC members, and fellows scholars; deliver class lectures in collaboration with SMU faculty; etc. Present original research at academic conferences. Participate in the organization of academic symposia for the Museum or Institute and beyond.
  
• Day to day administrative duties of the curatorial department, e.g., drafting loan request letters, acquisition memos, grant applications, managing curatorial budget, editing gallery and catalogue text and managing curatorial staff.
  
• Occasional evening/weekend hours may be required for an exhibition, project or event.
• Occasional travel for couriering works of art; research for exhibitions or for the permanent collection; and for attending seminars and symposia related to research and/or professional advancement at the discretion of the director.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Master 's degree is required. A PhD is preferred.

Minimum of five years of museum experience, preferably in a fine art museum. Seven years or more in progressive roles within a curatorial department preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate fluency speaking, reading, and writing Spanish is required. Fluency in (reading or speaking) another European language (German, Italian, French, etc.) is also desirable.

Candidate must be able to handle high priority projects with keen attention to detail, schedules, and budgets.

Candidate ability to work effectively across museum/university departments and with the national and international museum community is essential.

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.

Excellent research, editing, proofreading, analytical, and computer skills are essential.

Candidate familiarity with Microsoft Office is also essential.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend, stand
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Reach above shoulders
• Carry/lift 25 lbs.

Deadline to Apply:

This position is open until filled.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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