Description
Fenimore Art Museum, located in Cooperstown, New York, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated candidate for the full-time position of Eugene and Clare Thaw Curator of American Indian Art. The curator will be responsible for the research, curation, development, and management of the collection as well as Native American Graves and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) requirements. This position is endowed through the Eugene and Clare Thaw Curator Endowment Fund and reports to the President & CEO.
About the collection
The Eugene and Clare Thaw Collection of American Indian Art is comprised of almost 900 objects housed in a gallery specifically designed for the art. Each object reaffirms the Thaws’ and the museum’s commitment to the beauty and artistry of American Indian art. The art was collected from across North America: The Northeast, the Plains, California & the Great Basin, the Southwest, and the Northwest Coast. The curator will be responsible for the display in the main American Indian art gallery, maintaining the open storage gallery, and contributing to other exhibitions as appropriate. In addition to the pieces in the Thaw Collection, there are approximately 100 works of American Indian Art in the collections of Fenimore Art Museum and Fenimore Farm. The curator will also be responsible for those pieces.
Duties and Responsibilities
Conduct research on permanent collections to populate database entries on each work. In the course of work, develop an in-depth understanding of the objects and their place in American Indian art in a wider context.
Use knowledge of collections and museum exhibitions to locate and organize information for incorporation into popular publications and articles.
Work with curatorial and exhibitions staff to develop exhibition topics. Participate in the preparation and staging of exhibitions and exhibition catalogs.
Manage NAGPRA research and consultations in accordance with the law.
Serve, on occasion, as Fenimore Art Museum liaison to guest curators, lenders, and outside institutions for the purpose of coordinating the preparation, staging and touring of exhibitions.
Serve on the Collections Advisory Committee and advise the President & CEO on matters pertaining to the collection.
Review loan requests for artworks in the collection and present same to the Collections Advisory Committee.
Identify and present potential acquisitions of historic or contemporary American Indian Art.
Examine collections for conditions requiring conservation and perform cataloging of collections.
Present gallery talks and lectures related to the Museum collections. Respond to routine inquiries from the public.
Prepare reports on activities for the Museum and Library Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Manage a departmental budget.
Supervise, on occasion, interns and research fellows working with the collection.
Represent Fenimore Art Museum and the Thaw Collection at conferences and other gatherings\.
Maintain cordial and productive relationships with Native communities, particularly the Haudenosaunee.
Travel may be necessary and is funded through the endowment.
Requirements
Qualification Requirements
Candidates will be knowledgeable in the field of American Indian art history and will further specialize in one or more areas of expertise within that field.
Experience with the principles and methods of art historical research and the organization and preparation of exhibitions and publications.
Candidates will be familiar with the basics of museum practice and understand the interrelationships between museum offices and responsibilities.
Candidates will show evidence of excellent writing and public speaking skills.
Candidates will understand the requirements of NAGPRA. Experience with tribal consultations is preferred.
An MA in a relevant field and five years of experience preferred.
Experience with The Museum System (TMS), preferred.
