Assistant Curator (9741)
Goldstein Museum of Design
College of Design
University of Minnesota
This position is located in the Goldstein Museum of Design, within the
College of Design (CDes) at the University of Minnesota. The Assistant
Curator is responsible for collection development and for facilitating
access to the collection for faculty, students, and scholars, and
interpreting the collection for the general public. This position interacts
with a variety of internal and external audiences, donors and volunteers to
respond to the needs of multiple constituents. The ability to effectively
work with and provide service to all is essential. The Assistant Curator
reports to the Museum Director.
GOLDSTEIN MUSEUM OF DESIGN
The Goldstein Museum of Design is the only design museum in the upper
Midwest. The Museum is devoted to advancing the understanding of design
through exhibitions, research, preservation, and education. Founded in
1976, the Museum’s emphasis on the design that touches people's lives is
based on the teaching and collections of Harriet and Vetta Goldstein,
professors in the University’s Design Department from 1910 to the late 1940s.
Collection
Dress The Goldstein’s largest group of objects. 18,000 items including
American and European clothing, shoes, and accessories from the 18th - 20th
centuries; Asian, African and Central American clothing and European folk
dress. Textiles 6,000 flat textiles from around the world including bed
covers, table covers, and wall hangings; portfolios of WPA textiles, shared
Jack Lenor Larsen archive, and resist-dyed shibori and batik. Decorative
Arts 2,000 items including 20th century European and American chairs,
Rookwood Pottery, Neolithic Chinese pottery, Ojibwe and Korean basketry, and
Venetian glass. Graphic Design 150 graphic design journals including
Émigré, Fuse, Portfolio produced for designers and teachers of graphic design.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Appointment
This is a 100%-time, 12 month academic professional (P&A) appointment at the
level of assistant curator (#9741). Position is annually renewable, with
renewal dependent on funding and performance. Salary is negotiable,
depending on qualifications and experience.
Position Description and Responsibilities
The assistant curator is responsible for developing and cataloguing the
collection and for interpreting it to scholars, students, and the public.
S/he is responsible for public programming related to the collection and to
exhibitions. With the museum director, s/he develops and monitors the annual
budget for collection and education areas.
MAJOR JOB FUNCTIONS
Educational Programs and Outreach
 Engage CDes faculty and students in use of the collection and exhibitions
for teaching and research
 Disseminate collection and exhibition research using multi-disciplinary
programming
 Engage with other colleges and outside groups to develop high quality
collection-based programming
 Develop and maintain expertise sources within college and university
personnel, volunteers and other constituents
 With guest curators, develop public programs related to exhibitions; train
tour guides
 With other CDes faculty and staff, research and apply PK-12 design
learning methods in outreach programs
 As appropriate, supervise volunteers
Collection Development
 Develop, catalog and refine the collection including the development of a
collections plan;
 Consult with prospective donors regarding donation offers
 Supervise graduate and undergraduate student assistants on collections
research and public programming
 Convene collections committees; conduct collections committee meetings
 With registrar, develop and maintain systems for access to the collection
objects and information
 With registrar, develop and implement conservation and storage priorities
 As appropriate, supervise volunteers
Professional Development
Maintain current knowledge of trends and developments in the fields of
museum curation, interpretation and education, and use that knowledge to
update and/or implement new policies and procedures as needed.
Other duties
 Share the duties of short- and long-range planning with other members of
the museum staff, addressing needs and concerns of collection development
and education
 Assist with projects such as openings, parties, etc.
 Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work
processes, and work cooperatively to provide professional service to
constituents
REQUIREMENTS
Essential Credentials and Experience
 Master’s degree in design history, decorative arts, costume history,
material culture studies museum studies, or related field
 At least four (4) years’ museum experience in curatorial or education areas
 Knowledge of museum practices and methods, including museum ethics
 Demonstrated effectiveness working with public
 Ability to work cooperatively with faculty, staff and students
 Excellent interpersonal communication skills and ability to handle
multiple responsibilities
 Experience with a broad range of supervisory responsibilities , including
working with volunteers
 Familiarity with Word, Access, Excel
 Ability to lift 25-50 pounds
 Access to car (limited Twin Cities area travel required)
 Some evening and/or weekend hours will be required.
Preferred Credentials and Experience
 Teaching or public presentation
 Knowledge of PK-12 learning methodologies
 Expertise in outreach-related curriculum development
 Excellent writing skills
 Exhibition organization
Apply online at http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/employment/index.html, using
Requisition #150071. Submit: 1) letter outlining interest in and
qualifications for the position; 2) current resume; 3) names, addresses,
telephone numbers of three references. College website:
http://www.cdes.umn.edu/
For questions contact: Lin Nelson-Mayson, Museum Director; T: 612-625-3292;
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
The University of Minnesota is committee to the policy that all persons
shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without
regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital
status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual
orientation.
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