Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Curator or Associate Curator of Special Collections

The Boston Athenaeum seeks a Curator or Associate Curator of Special Collections to focus on the interpretation, development, and curation of its rich and historic nineteenth-century American holdings, with an interdisciplinary emphasis on visual, print, and book culture. The position will join a dynamic team that shares curatorial responsibility for the Athenaeum’s world-class collections of paintings and sculpture; prints, graphic arts, photographs and drawings; rare books, manuscripts, maps, and ephemera. Responsibilities include curating exhibitions, building the collections by gift and purchase, promoting the collections through research, teaching, publication, and other forms of outreach, and assisting with the interpretation and presentation of the collections within the Athenaeum’s landmark historic building. Reporting to the head of Special Collections, this position will join the Athenaeum at a moment of renewed vigor in its exhibition and outreach initiatives, with new opportunities presented by a new, state-of-the-art exhibition gallery and a dedicated, technology-enriched teaching space for rare materials that were centerpieces of a recently completed $17 million building expansion and revitalization project. The position is full-time with excellent benefits and a competitive salary.

Essential Functions:

• Shares curatorial responsibility for the Athenaeum’s Special Collections with the other members of the curatorial team, taking an integrated approach toward the collections’ interpretation, presentation, and development

• Conceptualizes and implements exhibitions, installations, and displays of the Athenaeum’s collections to appeal to diverse audiences, both on-site and digitally

• Conducts scholarly research on the Athenaeum’s Special Collections, participating in its program of exhibition catalogs and other publications, with the goal of producing peer-reviewed, nationally disseminated publications of record

• Contributes meaningfully to the Athenaeum’s intellectual life by attending, participating in, and organizing presentations, lectures, and other public programs

• Participates in the selection, research, and proposal of acquisitions by gift and purchase

• Facilitates and supports research on the collections by members and outside researchers

• Works closely with colleagues to enhance discoverability and access, and on the care and conservation of special collections

• Participates in evaluating and proposing incoming and outgoing loan requests

• Participates in fundraising, donor cultivation, and stewardship activities

• Collaborates with colleagues in Cataloging, Conservation, Digital Programs, Reference, Education, Development, and Events

• Develops partnerships with colleagues at regional and national peer institutions

• May supervise curatorial fellows, graduate and undergraduate interns, and volunteers; participates in docent training

Qualifications/ Skills:

• Ph.D. in art history, American studies, material culture studies, book history, museum studies, or other relevant fields

• Required: field expertise in nineteenth-century American studies, with demonstrated evidence of expansive interdisciplinary interests across visual culture, art history, book history, cultural history, and literature. Also desirable: knowledge and experience in provenance studies; historical prints; the intersections between nineteenth-century American and European culture, art, and literature

• Rising national reputation and participation in relevant professional associations

• Active record of scholarly publication and presentations

• A commitment to material culture studies, object-based learning, and archives-based research

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Superior working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; familiarity with collections management systems such as CollectionSpace or The Museum System (TMS)

• Commitment to developing collaborative, interdisciplinary projects engaging the full spectrum of Special Collections materials

• Experience in developing exhibitions, installations, and related programs

• Occasional lifting of up to 40 lbs

The successful candidate will be highly organized; able to meet deadlines and balance multiple projects simultaneously without losing sight of details; diplomatic; highly collegial; discreet; creative; flexible and adaptable; a strong problem-solver; mature; dependable; articulate; a superb writer; able to communicate and work effectively with a diverse population of scholars, Athenaeum members, donors, and visitors; and committed to fostering a culture of inclusion.

Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role.

Why work at the Boston Athenaeum?

The Boston Athenaeum is a dynamic, growing, changing institution. Following our recently completed renovation and expansion, we are committed to engaging a wider and more diverse audience. We are looking for a colleague who will be excited by the opportunity to use our strengths and advance the Athenaeum’s future as a central part of our cultural landscape.

Beyond the opportunity to work among the collections at one of the most distinguished libraries in the nation alongside a passionate and welcoming team, working at the Boston Athenaeum comes with plenty of other perks. Some of our benefits include:

o Paid time off and sick days

o Competitive 401k package

o Paid parental leave

o Comprehensive medical and dental insurance

o Life Insurance

o Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance

o Complimentary membership

o Commuter benefits

Salary Range:

Associate Curator:$70,000-$80,000

Curator $80,000-$90,000

TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter to hr@bostonAthenaeum.org , expressing interest and outlining relevant experience; curriculum vitae; writing sample, preferably published and no more than 20 pages in length, demonstrating versatility in communicating with both scholarly and popular audiences; and the names and contact information of two professional references. Appointment will be made commensurate with education and experience, with three to five years minimum experience for appointment as Associate Curator and five to seven years for appointment as Curator.

ABOUT THE BOSTON ATHENAEUM

The Boston Athenaeum is a library, museum, and cultural center housed in a magnificent landmark building. It is one of the country’s oldest and most distinguished independent libraries, with a circulating collection of over half a million books, from works published in the 1800s to the latest best sellers. Special collections include active research holdings of over 100,000 rare books, maps and manuscripts, and more than 100,000 works of art, from prints and photographs to paintings and sculpture. Members, visitors, and the community enjoy a year-round schedule of cultural programming—author talks, book clubs, exhibitions, concerts, social gatherings, and opportunities for connection.

The Boston Athenaeum is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply and are committed to hiring individuals who value a diverse and inclusive work environment. The Boston Athenaeum is also committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact HR Generalist Nora Conley at conley@bostonathenaeum.org or 617-720-7630

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