Curator Job Position

Museum Curator

Location: Gunn Historical Museum, 5 Wykeham Rd., Washington, CT
Reports to: Executive Director
Hours: Total number of hours to be worked per week: 36. Schedule to be determined.
Salary: $51,480

Museum Overview
The mission of the Gunn Historical Museum is to collect, preserve, and share the objects and stories which illuminate the history of Washington, CT. Our beginnings date back to 1899.When local chapter of the Memorial Library was built in 1908, the collection was moved across the street into the lower level of the library. In 1965 June Willis bequeathed her house to the library and the museum moved next door. Together the Gunn Historical Museum and The Gunn Memorial Library work as one organization to serve the community of Washington and the surrounding towns.

Position Summary:
Building on the Museum’s mission, the Curator will provide leadership and curatorial vision in planning and implementing vibrant exhibitions, programs, projects, lectures, and related initiatives that expand audiences and increase the Organization’s visibility. As the Museum’s liaison to the Community, the Curator will provide outreach to the general public, educational institutions and the Senior population through interpretative materials, scholarship and publications. In leading the curatorial side of collections stewardship, the Curator will have oversight of acquisitions and deaccessions and work collaboratively with the Collections Manager* in the care of the Museum’s collections. The Curator will also conduct research on collections and assist the Director with Museum advancement initiatives and with donor relations. The Curator will be a key member of the overall Organization, working collaboratively across functions to achieve collective goals.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Exhibition Development and Installations – Working with the Director, recommends a program for planning future temporary and permanent collections exhibitions at the Museum, the Library or in local venues. Develops ways in which artifacts, documents and artworks can be exhibited in yearly exhibitions. Manages the programming, scheduling and preservation of audio-visual presentations and recordings of Oral History interviews.
  • Outreach and Programming– Develops and leads the Museum’s educational activities and programming with the public to enhance the understanding and appreciation of Washington’s history.
    • Manages community outreach: Community day, Holiday in the Depot, Green Fair and collaborations with other local organizations such as but not limited to local schools and
      senior center.
    • Takes the lead in coordinating Museum events/programs e.g. the Museum’s Cemetery Tour.
    • Writes Press Releases
    • Promotes the Museum’s mission and vision in all activities; works collaboratively with staff and community; represents the Museum both within and outside the building and works to fulfill the Museum’s operating goals.
    •  Develops relationships with potential financial donors
  •  Publications/Grants
    • Creates and publishes the Museum publications such as the Washington Chronicles, exhibit catalogues
    • Participates in grant-writing and other sponsorship proposals for select collections and exhibition projects
  • Research
    • Provides information and consultation to external constituencies and/or the general public on matters pertaining to the collection
    • Provides research related to the development of exhibitions, public programs, and publications and responds to research or educational requests related to the collections
    • Maintains an in-depth knowledge of the history of Washington and the Museum’s collection
  • Collections Acquisitions/Deaccessions
    • Administrates the Collection Committee in planning and setting collection goals
    • Works with the Collection Manager to plan and set collection goals to continually refine and to strengthen the collection
    • Collaborates with the Collection Manager to make and fulfill deaccession and accession recommendations to the Collection Committee.
    • Directs research on the proposed gifts and/or acquisitions as assigned to advise the ED and Collections Committee
  • Oral Histories
    • Trains and supports volunteers to conduct Oral History Interviews

Museum Organization

  • Prepare, implement and monitor long-range plans
  • Manages all Museum personnel
    • Manages Museum Assistant
    • Collections Management: Manages the Collections Manager (this responsibility will be phased after one
      year or sooner upon mutual agreement)
    • Establishes reviewable goals for the staff and the Museum
    • Reviews and evaluates Museum staff
  •  Participates in Organizational Staff Meetings as well as conducting museum staff meetings.
  •  Develop, manage and meet annual museum budget.
  •  Compiles the Annual Report.
  •  Recruits, trains and manages the work of adult volunteers.
  •  Trains and supervises interns, community service volunteers, and/or students for Museum functions or directed projects.
  •  Professional Development – Interacts with the local, scholarly, and museum community at regional meetings and attends professional development workshops.
  •  Buildings and Grounds– assists in the maintenance of the building and grounds. Coordinates repairs and monitoring system performance.
  •  Additional Duties relevant to the position as may be required.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor degree in history, museum or related field; Master’s degree is preferred in museum studies, history or American Studies.
  • Knowledge of current technology and networking capabilities as it relates to the Museum.
  • Knowledge of the methods, techniques, policies and procedures involved in the care of and interpretation and exhibition of historical artifacts and documents.
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Museum and Library staff, visitors, volunteers, donors, collectors, professional colleagues and other members of the museum community.
  • Ability to manage a budget.
  • Possess creative and organizational skills to conceptualize and execute exhibit with a defined budget and timetable.
  • Strong written/oral communication skills and public speaking abilities.

ATTRIBUTES:

  • Positive attitude and team work approach to meet the goals of the Organization
  • Be approachable, enthusiastic and have the ability to multi-task and prioritize writing and exhibit projects
  •  Excellent communications skills and promote the Museum’s vision and objectives
    * After one year (or sooner upon mutual agreement), the Collections Manager will report to the Curator Annual salary is $51,480 with excellent benefits including paid annual vacation and
    sick leave, health insurance, and a 401(k) plan.

The Gunn Museum is an equal opportunity employer. All applications will be considered without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national identity, or veteran status. To apply, candidates should email a letter of interest and resume, with three references to: searchcommittee@gunnlibrary.org Application deadline: July 29, 2022.