Princeton University - Princeton, NJ
posted 2 months ago
The Princeton University Art Museum is seeking applications for the position of Haskell Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. This role is pivotal in shaping the care, display, interpretation, and growth of the Museum's extensive collections of global modern and contemporary art. As the Museum prepares for the opening of a newly designed building in spring 2025, the Curator will take the lead in managing the modern and contemporary collections galleries, exhibitions, publications, and acquisitions during a period of significant expansion. The Museum's collection, which dates back to the 18th century, comprises over 115,000 objects, showcasing a wide representation of modern and contemporary art. The early collection of postwar art was significantly influenced by gifts from artists, and since the 1990s, particularly following the appointment of the Museum's first dedicated curator of modern and contemporary art in 2007, there have been substantial acquisition initiatives and important gifts that have diversified the collection. This includes works by artists from African and African diasporic, Asian, Asian American, Indigenous North American, Latin American, Latinx, and Middle Eastern backgrounds. The Curator will be responsible for overseeing the Museum's collections and activities related to postwar art, with a specific emphasis on global contemporary art. Collaboration with curators from various collection areas will be essential to support the interpretation of art created after 1913. The role also involves regular teaching engagements with undergraduates and participation in guest teaching, as well as efforts to engage faculty, students, and other community members with the collections. The Curator will have access to substantial purchase endowments, allowing for intentional growth of the collections. Additionally, as a member of the University's Campus Art Steering Committee, the Curator will lead the curatorial planning for art commissions on campus. Working in a team-oriented environment, the Curator will partner with conservators and educators, supervise research assistants, and mentor interns and students, with support for research travel. The ideal candidate will be responsive to the evolving landscape of the museum field, embrace the opportunities presented by a public-facing campus-based museum, and possess strong communication skills to engage both scholarly and general audiences. An advanced degree in art history or a related field is required, with a PhD preferred. Candidates should have meaningful experience in organizing significant exhibitions and a record of scholarly publications. Knowledge of commissioning art, collaboration with living artists, and a network of gallerists and collectors are essential. Experience in making acquisitions that align with a collecting strategy and navigating complex organizational structures is critical. Familiarity with donor engagement, collections management, and demonstrated teaching capabilities are also necessary.