Nestled in scenic upstate New York, Corning is a vibrant community with an attractive, historical downtown and home to Corning Incorporated—one of the world’s leading innovators in glass and materials science and world-renowned Corning Museum of Glass.
Our small staff is a committed, creative, energetic team that continually embraces diversity of thought and backgrounds. We are passionate about advancing our work and our commitment to the community. We offer full- and part-time positions with excellent benefits. The Rockwell Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Rockwell Museum, an AAM-accredited institution and Smithsonian Affiliate, seeks a curator of collections and exhibitions to serve as its chief curator and head of the curatorial department. Housed in the restored 19th Century Old City Hall, The Rockwell Museum grew from a gift by collectors Robert and Hertha Rockwell through a public-private-civic partnership with Corning Incorporated and the City of Corning. The Museum’s collection development is supported by a subsequent bequest from Clara S. Peck, a philanthropist and collector of art and rare books. Our highly collaborative institution utilizes an intentional team and holistic strategy to support the development of its exhibitions, programming, educational initiatives, events and community engagement. Based on the principles of shared leadership and institutional equity, the curator will work across departments and teams to support the Museum’s overall vision and mission through exhibitions, collection development and other curatorial projects.
The Rockwell Museum is home to an expanding collection of American art from the 19th century to the present with a mission to tell the story of the American experience through art. Working beyond the canon, The Rockwell Museum embraces an evolving understanding of the history and evolution of America through art – to show how the multifaceted nature of experience can be a source for dialogue and conversation to build empathy and mutual understanding. Supporting this effort, ~60% of the work in The Rockwell permanent collection galleries is by BIPOC or LGBTQ+ artists and almost half is by women artists or makers.
With the executive director, the curator of collections and exhibitions is responsible for the activation of the Museum’s Collection Development Plan to expand and diversify representation across all aspects of diversity. Through acquisition and donation, the collection has grown significantly and been greatly diversified in the past six years. Acquisitions in the past three years include work by: Radcliffe Bailey, Romare Bearden, Julie Hart Beers, Arthur Dove, Sam Gilliam, Elizabeth Greatorex, Grace Hartigan, Martine Gutierrez, Richard Hunt, Blanche Lazzell, Glenn Ligon, Whitfield Lovell, Georgia O’Keeffe, Wendy Red Star, Faith Ringgold, Betye Saar, Roger Shimomura, Devan Shimoyama, Susan Moore Waters, Abraham Walkowitz and Melanie Yazzie. Since 2016, the Museum has added more than 350 works of art to the collection. Of those, 64% are by a diverse maker including 45% made by women and 46% by artists who represent BIPOC, LGBTQ+ or other marginalized communities.
In addition, The Rockwell emphasizes education as a key component of its mission, presenting a wide range of educational services and programs in collaboration with local schools and other organizations. The Museum’s permanent collection, special exhibitions and other curatorial initiatives are the foundation of all the work the organization undertakes. Each year, The Rockwell organizes its exhibitions, interpretation, programming and events around a common program theme. In 2023, the program theme is Heroes, exploring Americans and artists moved by conviction, truth and love to improve communities, society and our world. Rockwell team members are encouraged to think beyond a conventional museum experience, considering their work through the Museum’s vision and core values – people, progress, collaboration, experimentation and zest.
Opportunities for the next curator of collections and exhibitions include: overseeing the creation and publication of a new guide to the collection; reinstallation of the permanent collection to celebrate the Museum’s 50th anniversary in 2026; multiple projects and opportunities with contemporary artists; working closely with educators on engaging museum experiences and interpretation strategies; and working with the executive director and Collection Committee on the thoughtful expansion and diversification of the permanent collection.
Curatorial
General
Salary Range: $70,000.00 to $80,000.00 with generous benefits package
Timeline:
To apply, please send the following information to resumes@rockwellmuseum.org:
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