Career Opportunity: Curator of Exhibits & Collections 

The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, a small award-winning museum
offers the opportunity to create exhibits that engage the public and
collaboratively interpret American Indian and First Nation people’s art,
history and culture; develop and manage the museum’s collection of over
10,000 objects and 3,000 library materials; and promote these and other
museum resources to the public. The Mitchell Museum is one of only a handful
of museums in the nation that focuses exclusively on the art, history and
culture of American Indian and First Nation people from throughout the US
and Canada from Paleo-Indian times to the present. The museum is located in
Evanston, IL on Central Street, voted one of the top ten neighborhoods in
the nation. 

 

Full-Time Exempt Position Title: Curator of Exhibits and Collections 

 

Job Description: To create exhibits that engage the public and
collaboratively interpret American Indian and First Nation people’s art,
history, and cultures; develop and manage the museum’s collections; promote
the exhibits, collections, and other museum resources; and support the
museum’s mission, strategic, and operating goals. 

 

Reports to: Executive Director 

 

Job Duties: 

 

Ø Provide excellent customer service, promote the museum mission and vision
in all activities, work collaboratively with American Indian and First
Nation peoples, represent the museum both within and outside the building,
and work to fulfill the museum’s operating and strategic goals. 

 

Ø Develop, research, document, and interpret collection of over 10,000
objects and 3,000 library reference materials covering American Indian and
First Nation peoples in the US and Canada from Paleo-Indian times to the
present concentrating on the 19th - 21st centuries. 

 

Ø Research content, develop concepts and interactive elements, conduct
audience evaluation, design exhibit and graphic elements, prepare objects
and images, and construct and install exhibits. 

 

Ø Update docent training materials for each exhibit, monitor docent tour
quality and accuracy, and conduct tours for VIPs, exhibit openings, and tour
groups as needed. 

 

Ø Following professional museum standards, conservation principles, and
museum policies and procedures, manage and preserve collection including
recommending and processing 

 

 

acquisitions and de-accessions, processing loans and research requests,
cataloguing, housing & storing objects, and managing inventory. 

 

Ø Supervise interns, volunteers and temporary staff as needed to assist with
administrative, collections, research, and exhibit work. 

 

Ø Write grants and corporate sponsorship proposals with Executive Director
for select collections and exhibit projects. 

 

Ø Other duties as assigned 

 

Requirements: 

 

§ MA in Museum Studies, Native American Studies, Public History or related
field 

 

§ 2 years minimum experience working with museum collections and exhibits 

 

§ Knowledge and respect of American Indian and First Nation people’s art,
history, and culture 

 

§ Knowledge and demonstrated application of legal and ethical museum
standards in all areas of museum operation, NAGPRA, conservation principles,
audience evaluation, collections documentation, exhibit interpretation and
design principles 

 

§ Ability to lift heavy objects and operate power tools for exhibit
construction & installation including mounts, cases, interactive elements,
audio and video 

 

§ Proficiency in computer programs including Microsoft Publisher,
PowerPoint, Excel, web-design software, photo enhancement software,
movie-making software, Past Perfect, and ability to quickly learn new
programs 

 

§ Skilled in customer service and prioritizing multiple tasks to meet
deadlines 

 

§ Must be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing 

 

§ Willingness to work independently and as a team 

 

§ Ability to cover shifts: Tuesday-Saturday: 9:30-5:30; plus occasional
special events or meetings in evenings or on weekends 

 

Application must include resume and cover letter demonstrating paid work
experience, job qualifications, salary requirements, days and hours
available, prospective start date, and three current references or letters
of recommendations. Priority given to applications submitted by May 14th;
but, position is open until filled. E-mail to [log in to unmask] No
calls please. Go to www.mitchellmuseum.org for more information about the
museum. The Mitchell Museum of the American Indian is an Equal Opportunity
Employer.  


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