Associate Director Curatorial Affairs

Department: Block Museum
Salary/Grade: EXS/12

Target hiring range for this position will be between be Salary range is as be $110,260-$150,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Job Summary:

The Block's Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs plays a central role in realizing the museum's artistic and intellectual priorities and enhancing its reputation through their leadership of the museum's program in three key areas: exhibitions and publications, collection and curricular teaching, and administration and planning. The ideal candidate will have expertise in art history or a related field, , and a geographic specialization that relates to the curricular or research strengths of Northwestern University, such as Africa and its diasporas, the Caribbean, Indigenous North America, the Middle East, South Asia, or Turkey. The Associate Director maintains an active campus, national, and international profile through activities including: affiliate academic appointments on campus, participation in professional organizations and meetings, and the production of scholarship. In their work, the Associate Director builds upon the context, priorities, and resources of Northwestern University and its commitment to research excellence.

The Associate Director reports to the Director and supervises four full-time staff members, as well as a varying number of part-time staff, graduate fellows, undergraduate interns, and work-study students. Serving as mentors to students and junior colleagues, they are role models for ethical practices and have considered the responsibility of museums as public-facing shapers of knowledge. They oversee a creative program that reaches across geographies and timeframes, engaging with underrepresented histories or telling histories through new perspectives. While bringing perspectives garnered from area specialization and interdisciplinary study, the ideal candidate will have a wide-ranging intellectual curiosity, and willingness to ask questions, and the capacity to engage competently across topics and disciplines, including with contemporary artistic practice. They are excited to explore innovative approaches to curatorial work and to reach beyond their individual experience and interests and are committed to relating their work to issues of our time.

Specific Responsibilities:

Exhibitions and Publications (35%)

• Conceptualize and oversee a robust exhibition program that supports the museum's mission and strategic plan, working in coordination with the Director and others. Coordinate an exhibition schedule that balances original, innovative, research-based exhibitions with external traveling exhibitions that support The Block's priorities. Participate with other Block curators in curating original exhibitions, promoting their travel to other venues when appropriate, and overseeing the installation of external traveling exhibitions at The Block. Work collaboratively with the Engagement team on exhibition-related programming and participate in programs. Support curators and grad fellows in exhibition development and implementation. Maintain open communication with the Director of Exhibitions, Engagement, Visitor Services, and other relevant museum teams. When appropriate, oversee the development of publications related to Block projects in coordination with the project curator. This role requires outstanding writing and public speaking skills.

Collection and Curricular Teaching (30%)

• Shape and oversee The Block's collection strategy, which is a living document, and implement acquisitions (gifts and purchases) that support the strategic growth of the collection. Working with curators and the director, pursue purchases based on institutional priorities, values, and goals and in line with available funds. Assess and process gifts in consultation with Curatorial team, director, and Collections team. Consult on and support The Block's Collection Council and Block Museum Student Associate art purchases.
• Actively engage with and supervise the work of the Curatorial Coordinator for Collections Information and Digital Interpretation, focused on collections cataloguing, interpretation, and access. Ensure that the museums database (TMS) and eMuseum reflect The Block's values and effectively support teaching and learning.
• Lead strategy for and supervise The Block's curricular teaching initiatives in collaboration with the Academic Curator and the Associate Curator of Academic Programs. In dialogue with Collections Management and Engagement Departments coordinate teaching activities in exhibitions, The Block's dedicated object-based teaching classroom, and the Eloise Martin Study Center. Model object-based teaching best practices.

Administration and Planning (25%)

• Oversee the daily operations of the Curatorial Department. Supervise a department staff includes Academic Curator, Curator of Global Modern and Contemporary Art, Associate Curator of Academic Programs, Curatorial Coordinator for Collections Information and Digital Interpretation, Curatorial Assistant, two graduate fellows, two undergraduate interns, and occasional project-based temporary staff and work-study students. Meet regularly with staff both one on one and as a team. Conceptualize, strategize, and enact departmental priorities in alignment with the museums strategic plan, mission, and vision. Actively contribute to museum leadership, strategic planning, and policymaking as a member of the Senior Staff and as a thought partners to the director. This position requires donor contact and coordination with the museums grants writer.

Teaching, Scholarship, Volunteerism (10%)

• Maintain an active campus, national, and international profile through activities including: affiliate academic appointments on campus, participation in professional organizations and meetings, mentoring students and junior colleagues, and producing scholarship. The Associate Director is encouraged to seek affiliation in Northwestern departments and to teach courses periodically as agreed with affiliated academic departments and the museum's director. This work is compensated separately.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum of 10 years' museum experience, including staff oversight

PhD in art history or another relevant field

Record of scholarly exhibitions, including traveling exhibitions, and publications

Experience making acquisitions by purchase and gift

Network of connections to museum peers

Experience mentoring students and junior colleagues

Experience with donor relations

Preferred Qualifications:

Previous experience in academic museums in a research university

Teaching experience in higher education

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.