St. Louis Mercantile Library Endowed Curator of Art and Research Professor

St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL)

The St. Louis Mercantile Library, a two-centuries old research library and art center with deep collections in the humanities, at the University of Missouri - St. Louis is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, curatorial professional with a passion for regional art for the role of Curator of Fine Art and Research Professor. The Mercantile Library is the only institution in the state whose primary art collecting mission is dedicated to Missouri art, while also holding extensive collections in regional and American paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture, artists' archives, and artifacts.

This full-time, benefit-eligible position reports to the Mercantile Library's Executive Director and is responsible for building, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting the Mercantile Library's historic fine art collection. The curator is part of a dynamic team of professionals and exercises extensive advisory board contact and supervisory duties. The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, be a systematic, meticulous, patient, self-starter who works well under pressure, manages time efficiently, analyzes and solves problems independently and if necessary, collaboratively, and can be flexible and embrace changes within this position due to departmental priorities. This is a Non-Tenure Track Faculty position with an annual salary range of $55,000 - $65,000.

Specific duties of the position include:

Advise on additions to the Fine Art collection in accordance with the Collections Development Plan.

Oversee all aspects of care of the Fine Art Collections.

Research, develop and oversee installation of exhibitions of the art collection to include artwork selection, writing scholarly and interpretive text, and supporting opening receptions, and programming.

Engage in collections-based scholarship to be published in exhibition catalogues or scholarly journals as well as in lectures, symposia, and conference presentations.

Develop and maintain professional affiliations with curatorial colleagues at other institutions and attend and present at conferences and professional events on behalf of the Mercantile Library.

Cultivate long-term relationships with donors, collectors, scholars, established and emerging local artists, and art dealers to attract and secure works of art, collections and acquisition funds.

Provide exhibition support to the director and other curators as needed.

Aid library staff, visiting scholars and the public with collection-related questions; answer research requests and correspondence related to the collections.

Supervise the Assistant Curator and Graduate Research Assistants.

Oversee and take part in the volunteer docent training program. Oversee and assist in training student workers and art-collection volunteers.

Advise the Assistant Curator for Fine Art Collections in their capacity as Coordinator of University Exhibits and Collections.

Oversee the digitization and Rights/Reproductions request for Fine Art Collection materials, with the support of the Assistant Curator.

Prepare and present off-site outreach lectures to promote the Library.

Effectively communicate with team members and other members of the university community, while contributing to and sustaining a positive and supportive workplace.

Adhere to the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri System.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Master's Degree in art history or a BA in Art History and a Master's degree in a related field or library science from an accredited college or university.

Minimum 5 years' curatorial experience working with art collections in a library, museum or university art gallery, showing increasing levels of responsibility and demonstrated proficiency in areas of art historical scholarship, connoisseurship, acquisitions, exhibition design and execution, staff supervision, and donor relations.

Exemplary writing skills, compelling public speaking presence, and excellent oral communication skills, as well as strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.

Ability to build and sustain effective and productive interpersonal relationships with library staff, faculty, students, administrators, board members, and members of the public.

Evidence of analytical, project, and time management skills and demonstrated ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and complete tasks and projects on time and within budget in accordance with task or project parameters.

Demonstrated proficiency with personal computers and software, and office applications including the Microsoft Office suite, especially Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams/ SharePoint, and PowerPoint, and other productivity software, and proficiency with museum collection software.

Must be eligible to work in the United States and pass standard University of Missouri System screenings and background checks.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of Midwest regional, and/or American art in general, such as American art movements and patronage.

Experience with docent training and/or tour programs.

Familiarity with Past Perfect Museum software.

• Application materials include a cover letter, CV and college transcripts.. Finalists will be asked to provide references at a later date.
• Applicants must combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as a resume attachment to the UMSL Careers: https://www.umsl.edu/services/hrs/careers/index.html
• Limit document name to 50 characters. Maximum size limit is 11MB. Do not include special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). For questions about the application process, please email employment@umsl.edu. If you are experiencing technical problems, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.

Priority will be given to candidates who apply by September 1, 2026. However, the position will remain open until filled.

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of Human Resources at umslhr@umsl.edu.