New

Curator of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections

New York Historical Society
life insurance, paid time off, 403(b), retirement plan
United States, New York, New York
170 Central Park West (Show on map)
Aug 08, 2025
JOB TITLE: Curator of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections DEPARTMENT: Library REPORTS TO: SVP & Library Director ABOUT THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL New York's first museum, The New York Historical is a leading cultural institution documenting over 400 years of American history through a peerless collection of art, documents, and artifacts. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment. The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We are home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the Center for Women's History, the Reiss Family Graduate Institute for Constitutional History, the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Center for Teaching Democracy, the DiMenna Children's History Museum, and the future American LGBTQ+ Museum. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States' democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better. JOB SUMMARY The Patricia D. Klingenstein's Library Collection of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections (PPAC) includes approximately two million objects in more than 400 separate collections. Print holdings span the years 1546 to the present; the collection is particularly strong in American historical prints from 1750 to 1900. The photography collection includes prints, film, and glass negatives; its strength lies in portraiture and documentary photography of New York City and environs from 1854 to the present. The Architectural Collections at The New York Historical represent all major stages in the development of professional architecture in the United States from the late 18^thcentury through the early 21st century. In addition to trace, technical, working, and presentation drawings, The New York Historical holds operating records of the firms of Cass Gilbert and McKim, Mead & White. The Curator of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections oversees these collections and works to advance New York Historical's mission through exhibitions, presentations, teaching, and donor cultivation. Curatorial duties include: curating and building the collections of prints, photographs, and architectural materials through gifts and purchases; writing and speaking about works in the collection; and maintaining positive and fruitful relations with colleagues in the museum and academic communities and with New York Historical trustees and other supporters. The Curator must be conversant with American art from all periods, have creative ideas for interpreting and expanding the institution's holdings, and a commitment to public outreach. The Curator participates in Library meetings on a senior level and reports to the Senior Vice President and Director of the Library. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES Manage PPAC collections in collaboration with Library personnel; Develop PPAC collections through gifts and purchases, consistent with New York Historical's mission and collecting priorities; Promote PPAC collections through presentations, programs, exhibitions, and print and electronic media; Respond to questions, many of them time-sensitive, from researchers, colleagues in all New York Historical departments, senior staff, and board members; Review and update policy and procedures for use of PPAC collections on a regular basis; Co-teach in the NYH/CUNY Master's Program in Museum Studies in rotation with other curators; Work with Development staff to identify funding prospects and prepare grant proposals for exhibitions and collection initiatives; Cultivate relationships with donors, trustees, and collectors; Participate in the History Responds collecting initiative; Work with the conservation department to identify preservation needs and set conservation priorities for PPAC collections; Work with the other curators and the Library Collections Manager to determine onsite and offsite storage locations for PPAC collections; Actively update professional knowledge and skills and stay current with curatorial best practices; Be responsive to changing institutional priorities; Contribute to library and institution-wide initiatives; work closely with colleagues across the institution on a regular basis; Additional duties as requested. REQUIREMENTS M.A. or Ph.D. in art history with a concentration in American art and works on paper; At least seven years of curatorial experience with increasing responsibility; Demonstrated scholarly achievement and track record of curating collections and exhibitions; Energized by the prospect of working in a collaborative, hands-on environment; Ability to pivot between working independently and assisting colleagues with short-term tasks; A keen appreciation of historical documents and their potential to inspire and educate; Demonstrated commitment to inclusive and diverse collecting and interpretation; Knowledge of scholarly trends and the research needs of scholars; Significant experience presenting to a range of audiences; Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, Board members, donors, lenders, and other stakeholders; Collaborative approach and experience working on team-based projects; Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills; Ability to balance multiple competing priorities; Record of participation in local or national organizations related to history, libraries and archives. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee with or without accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee will spend many hours sitting and using a computer. They will also bend, stoop, and open file cabinets and frequently walk from their desk to collection areas on a different floor. The employee will walk and climb steps throughout the day and on occasion lift 20 lb. boxes. The employee will travel to offsite locations to view potential donations; these site visits may include packing and lifting boxes. The ability to lead tours throughout the museum is also required. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS The expected salary for this position is $90,000 per year. The New York Historical provides a generous benefits package for eligible employees to support their health and wellbeing, which includes: Paid time off, including vacation, sick and personal days, and holidays observed by the Museum; Medical, dental, vision and life insurance; Short and long-term disability coverage options; 403(b) retirement plan with eligibility for employer contributions following one year of full-time service; Flexible spending accounts for health-related expenses, dependent care, and parking and transit expenses; Employee Assistance Program for all employees and their families; 20% discount at the NYHistory Store, Cafe Clara and Clara restaurant, located within the Museum; Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions across the city. The New York Historical is an Equal Opportunity Employer.