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.