Curator

Department

AI Museum Director

About the Department

The Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago is a site for rigorous inquiry and exchange that encourages the examination of complex issues through the lens of art objects and artistic practice. Founded as the David and Alfred Smart Gallery in 1974, the museum was renamed to the David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art in 1990. The Museum has long served as a model for academic art museums by combining the University’s deep-seated commitment to intense creative and intellectual engagement and open dialogue with Chicago’s entrepreneurial spirit, the South Side’s robust creative communities, and global arts perspectives that bridge lines of culture, language, and lived experience. Over 51,000 visitors annually experience the Smart, with exhibitions and programs highlighting permanent collections, works by contemporary artists, and objects on loan from institutional partners and private collectors.

The Smart’s permanent collection dynamically supports academic and artistic study, inspires new ideas and creative interpretation, and provides a space for reflection and conversation for the Museum’s many audiences. Comprising nearly 18,000 objects, this growing body of artworks represents art from across the globe, from antiquity to the present day. The University of Chicago is keen to support the Smart Museum’s dynamic role in expanding artistic canons, rethinking received histories, introducing new perspectives, and engaging diverse communities – locally, nationally, and internationally.

Job Summary

The Curator will work closely with the Dana Feitler Director to implement the artistic identity and vision for the Museum. This position will serve as a staff liaison to the Smart Board of Governors Collections Committee, take an active role in fundraising and grant writing, and represent the Smart on campus, as well as locally, nationally, and internationally. The ideal candidate will be a scholar, with a successful track record of developing exhibitions, publications, collaborative projects, public speaking, and fundraising. While this position is not restricted to applicants with a background in a specific area of art, preference will be given to applicants whose expertise align with the museum’s collection and have an ability to work across the collection.

Responsibilities

• Serves as primary liaison and counsels outside scholars, museum personnel, students, researchers, donors, and the general public regarding the content of collections, providing access and information on the objects as requested.
• Completes research on the art collection, including collections provenance research, and adds to TMS and object files to ensure records are up to date. 
• Builds, refines, and strengthens the permanent collection by working on the Smart’s collections plan for its permanent collection.
• Working closely with the Dana Feitler Director, the Smart’s curatorial team, and senior leadership, participates in the development of a dynamic schedule of collection installments, exhibitions, and commissions.
• Conceives, researches, implements and project manages curatorial projects as assigned, ensuring that projects remain on track and on budget, and that there is clear and consistent communication with key stakeholders about the project’s needs and timeline.
• Serves as coordinating curator of traveling exhibitions as needed.
• Manages all aspects of exhibitions including project schedule, checklist, conservation and display needs, budget, layout, design and didactics. Works in close collaboration with museum team and external vendors to ensure deadlines are met and project stays on track.
• Researches, writes, and edits exhibition labels and didactics.
• When appropriate, authors published materials such as books, articles, exhibition catalogues, and digital content.
• Provides exhibition tours.
• Identifies, authors and secures exhibition grants.
• Works with staff on exhibition marketing materials.
• Participates in the development and implementation of programming and events as needed.
• Oversees Curatorial student employees, interns, and postdocs.
• Collaborates with the new Director of the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry and Head of Education to develop curricular engagement opportunities, provide talks and teaching support, and organize public events. 
• Works with the senior team to design and implement an assessment program for the Museum’s exhibitions and programs.
• Represents the Museum within the academic community, as well as in the arts and culture community in Chicago, by attending and participating in events, University-sponsored lectures, and presenting gallery talks and public lectures on the Smart and its collection at local, regional, and national conferences and professional meetings.
• Provides support for Smart Board of Governors’ Collections Committee meetings.
• In collaboration with the Dana Feitler Director and Director of Development, supports donor cultivation opportunities.
• Guides curatorial and related museum operations for the museum, including development, production, and evaluation of the museum's exhibitions.
• Implements the museum's strategic goals and devises plans to ensure the collections, exhibitions and related publications and programs achieve them.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in art history or related field strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Extensive curatorial experience.

Preferred Competencies

• Knowledge of museum best practices as well as current and emerging trends in the academic museum field. 
• An adept leader who can effectively manage and mentor staff reports in an active and diverse environment.  
• Establish and maintain collaborative and effective relationships with the Museum’s internal team, internal and external University collaborators, and diverse museum audiences. 
• Strong commitment and ability to provide outreach at all levels with well-developed interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to work positively and collegially with staff, researchers, colleagues, students, community partners and donors. 
• Well-developed written/oral communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.  

Working Conditions

• Travel nationally and internationally as needed, less than 10% of job. 

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Professional References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

Job Family

Museum & Arts

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

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FLSA Status

Exempt

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Pay Range

$80,000.00 - $90,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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