Employment
Assistant Curator
Posted 7/2/20
Job Description Summary:
The Assistant Curator, reporting to the Chief Curator, will play an essential role in development of museum exhibitions, care, study and management of the museum’s permanent collection, supporting the museum’s ongoing outreach efforts to and relationships with Tribal communities and partners, participating in the intake and assessment of collections donations, and management of day-to-day activities of the museum’s Fellowship program.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Exhibition Research & Development
- Conduct research for ongoing development of museum exhibitions, particularly with regard to the multiyear reinstallation of the museum’s permanent collection in 2024.
- Support curators as needed in all stages of exhibition development and implementation, including publications as needed.
- Establishes relationships with artists and works with them to develop specific exhibits and accompanying programs.
- Work closely with curators and the museum’s library and archives team to ensure meaningful participation by Mellon Fellows with exhibition development.
- Serves as a member of the staff exhibit task force to plan the annual exhibit schedule, review traveling exhibits, and review education components to accompany the exhibits.
- Assists in a curatorial role for events (i.e. judging at Indian Fair & Market and Student Art).
- Participates in the exhibit openings and other membership events.
- Works with the education department to establish and assist in implementing programs.
Tribal Relations
- With curatorial, programmatic and outreach staff, develop and implement plans and initiatives to enhance the museum’s ongoing and expansive efforts to deepen meaningful relationships with Tribes and Tribal partners.
- Assist in the identification and development of consulting relationships and partnerships between the Heard Museum and Tribes, Indigenous artists and project advisors.
- Establishes relationships with artists and works with them to develop specific exhibits and accompanying programs.
- Participate in all advisory meetings with project advisors in ongoing exhibition development.
- Identify and serve as the primary liaison for Tribal partners and advisors supporting the multiyear reinstallation of the Heard’s permanent collection.
- Coordinate visits for Mellon Fellows to regional Tribal museums.
- Participates in the exhibit openings and other membership events.
- Collaborate with the museum’s programming team in management of ongoing Master Artist Workshop series.
Collections Management
- Participate in ongoing collections assessments with curators.
- Participate in the intake and assessment of collections donations.
- Establish relationships with collectors and works with the director, other curators and the development staff to encourage gifts of works of art to the museum.
- Working with the other curators, review potential donations to the museums.
- Work with the other curators to recommend works of art for purchase.
- Serve as a member of the board of trustees Collections and Program Committees and staff committees.
- Assist with public inquiry phone calls and answers email inquiries about works of art.
- Catalogue and photograph new acquisitions.
Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships
- Serve as the day-to-day liaison for the Mellon Fellows and the curatorial team.
- Participate in the recruitment and interview process to identify incoming Fellows.
- Design annual, monthly and weekly project schedules for Mellon Fellows with input from the Chief Curator and Director of Research. Conduct regular meetings with Fellows to assess progress towards goals and project schedules.
- Coordinate ongoing, weekly/daily dialogues and learning opportunities between the Fellows and the Chief Curator, the Director of Research, program partners and other museum staff and/or consultants.
- Facilitate meetings and travel plans and needs for regional visits to project partner sites, to include Tribal museums and communities, conservation labs and college/university partners.
Additional duties may be assigned as required.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Art History, American Indian Studies, or other related areas of study.
Experience:
Museum experience preferred.
Benefits:
The Heard Museum offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental and life insurance, paid leave program and more. Relocation reimbursement may be considered for the successful candidate. Salary based on qualifications and experience.
This position is full-time.
Candidate must pass a background check.
Please send a resumé and cover letter to hr@heard.org.
The Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship
Posted 7/2/20
Paid Fellowship: Yes, contract wage
Time Required: 28 hours per week
The Heard Museum is offering a paid nine-month fellowship program for those with an interest in American Indian art and culture who want to learn about museum collections management, collections care and conservation as it relates to Navajo textiles. The nine months will be broken into three, three-month sessions that provide a mentored orientation to collection care, interaction with Navajo weavers, textile specialists and conservators. Opportunities to attend a minimum of two key museum conferences will be provided.
Fellows will receive a contract wage equivalent to $20 per hour at 28 hours per week, for 33 weeks, and the Heard will consider Fellows for ongoing employment at the Heard Museum as well as providing connections and references to the Fellows searching for employment or further education at other institutions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
- Attend and participate in workshops and textile review sessions with Heard curatorial staff, academic partners and artists
- Participate in exhibition research, planning and development as permitted
- Assist Chief Curator, Registrar and other museum staff with needs relating to collections care and management, including but not limited to data management and data entry, object loan processing, packing, shipping and delivery
- Attend internal learning sessions, external conferences and meetings as approved by Chief Curator
- Other duties relating to collections care and management as assigned
Employment Requirements:
Applicants must clear a background check. Fellows must be able to lift up to 25 pounds, push loaded object carts and climb ladders. Familiarity with computers and Microsoft Office software. Interpersonal office skills.
Education:
Applicants need not have attended college but will have graduated high school.
Previous Experience:
A strong, demonstrated commitment to American Indian art or museums is important.
Decision Making:
Fellows are non-supervisory.
To Apply:
Email submission only. Submit your resumé and cover letter to hr@heard.org. Deadline for applications: August 15, 2020. Finalists will be invited for an interview. Native Americans are encouraged to apply.
Grants Manager
Posted 6/15/20
The Heard Museum, the nation’s largest private non-profit dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art, is seeking a Grants Manager to oversee fundraising efforts from local and national institutions. The Grants Manager leads the Heard Museum’s strategic efforts to identify, pursue, and steward in excess of $2million annually in support from private and corporate foundations and government funders. The Grants Manager works collaboratively with colleagues throughout the museum as well as external partners to develop effective grant strategies and packages, and maintains a portfolio of grants for which s/he seeks independently.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
Grant Identification and Pursual
- Maintains comprehensive master list of current and prospective grants, including tracking of deadlines and deliverables.
- Maximizes the use of research tools such as the Foundation Directory to ensure ongoing prospect identification for new grants. Conducts extensive research and participates in the museum’s strategic data collection efforts to support proposals, applications and reporting.
- Provides management assessments of grant opportunities, alignment, and likelihood.
- Coordinates team effort to draft and submit grant applications with internal departments and external partners and experts.
- Organizes all grant-writing materials, meetings and processes for team review. Serves as the primary point of contact for all participants throughout each grant application.
- Personally writes grant copy for exhibitions, programs and other museum initiatives and operations, as well as reviews and edits copy submitted by others.
- Ensures that all grants identified for pursual are submitted on time and fully complete, that all relevant data fields are impeccable, and that narrative copy is engaging and concise.
Grant Stewardship
- Disseminates grant information for awarded grants to all relevant internal and external partners which includes tracking deliverables, outcomes, and reporting deadlines.
- Oversees all grant reporting. Ensures timely and thoughtful delivery of funder reports, including supporting internal and external partners responsible for executing grant projects.
- Utilizes feedback and collected data to develop and improve internal procedures.
- Creates and supports strategic and collaborative relationships between the museum, funders, and community partners in support of grant-funded programs.
Internal Systems and Controls
- Works closely with the Director of Strategic Development, the Finance Department, and the museum’s executive leadership to set and track revenue and expense budgets.
- Oversees data entry for grant applications and awards in the museum’s database (Altru).
- Coordinates with Finance Department to ensure proper tracking of grant funds.
- Ensures confidentiality of all sensitive information included in grant applications and reports.
- Provides training to new staff on grants management and reporting requirements.
- Participates as a leader in the museum’s office of development, and supports departmental fundraising efforts throughout the year by attending and supporting museum events, meetings, and programs as identified with supervisor.
Additional duties may be assigned as required.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree required, with a focus in Art History, American Indian Studies, or other related areas of study preferred.
Previous Experience:
The ideal candidate will have 4+ years of significant grant writing and management experience within the non-profit cultural community. Relevant, related experience may be considered. Prior experience seeking and managing government grants a plus. Experience within the museum setting and knowledge of and affinity for American Indian art and culture are preferred. Knowledge of nonprofit budget management, philanthropic trends, and best practices for fundraising are desired. The successful candidate will be a team player who will bring valuable contributions and insights to the museum’s fundraising and other efforts.
Benefits:
The Heard Museum offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental and life insurance, 401k, paid leave program and more. Relocation reimbursement may be considered for the successful candidate. Salary based on qualifications and experience.
Selected applicant must pass a background check to qualify for employment. This position is full-time, exempt.
Send a cover letter and resume to hr@heard.org. Position is open until filled.
