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Curator of Russian and European Art

Amherst College - Amherst, Massachusetts, United States 01002-5000

Amherst College invites applications for the position of Curator of Russian and European Art. The Curator of Russian and European Art is a full-time, year-round position, job group and level RI-3. Given Amherst's distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work toward supporting a broadly diverse community with regard to race, ethnicity, ability, socioeconomic status, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, and religion.

Reporting to the John Wieland 1958 Director and Chief Curator, the Curator of Russian and European Art oversees the Mead's collection and program for Russian and European Art. Through collaboration and teamwork with the Mead's professional staff, the Curator conceives and organizes innovative exhibitions that reflect the museum's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; develops inclusive education programs; conducts in-depth scholarly research; and produces writing (wall labels, website texts, academic publications) that engages various audiences (students, scholars, and general visitors) with a special focus on the Thomas P. Whitney Russian Collection and the Mead's European collection. The Curator works closely with the Amherst Center for Russian Culture's Advisory Board and the Center's Director on developing content for two exhibitions a year in the Center's gallery that amplify the Center's scholarly and pedagogical mission.

The Curator takes appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participates in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Summary of Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Curatorial & Research - Care for and conduct research on the museum's Russian and European Art collection. Develop innovative and scholarly exhibitions that offer new research discoveries and deepen an understanding of the Mead's Russian and European Art collection from a variety of diverse perspectives. Manage symposia and research related to Russian and European art. Cultivate partnerships with domestic and international museums and across disciplines with faculty at Amherst College and peer institutions. Work in close consultation with the Amherst Center for Russian Culture (ACRC) and its Board on exhibitions and academic programs. Collaborate with the Mead's education team, developing interpretive materials for exhibitions and exciting programs, connecting with the curriculum and leveraging opportunities to utilize media platforms to engage Amherst College's talented and diverse student body. Work with the Director, curatorial colleagues, faculty partners, and educators to build, refine, and strengthen the Russian and European collection by researching and writing a collection plan and proposing new acquisitions based on that plan. Lead effort to ensure accurate, useful, and up-to-date collection files that will be used as the source material for database records on the Russian and European collection for website visitors, in collaboration with the Collections Manager and Education colleagues.Train and supervise a diverse set of undergraduate or graduate student interns. Assist students, faculty, and researchers with research related to the permanent Russian and European collection.
• Education - Work collaboratively with the Mead's team of educators and museum professionals as well as faculty and students to develop innovative exhibitions and education programs that will attract a broad, diverse audience. Participate in and contribute to various educations programs, such as gallery talks, panels, and public lectures at the Mead, ACRC, and other venues. Represent the Mead in presentations to the Mead Advisory Board, Amherst alumni, and other programs serving the College. Cultivate educational program opportunities by connecting with faculty, Mead staff, and staff across campus.
• Publishing - Publish on Russian and European art in the Mead's collection in exhibition catalogues, journals, and on the Mead's database, website, and other open-access media outlets. The over six hundred artworks making up the Thomas P. Whitney Collection of Russian Art will be a primary resource for research and exhibitions (in consultation with the ACRC and its archivist, pertinent publications in Whitney's library may be used for exhibitions as well); the European collection will also be a source for research and exhibitions.
• Fundraising - Take an active role in fundraising, marketing, and programming activities involving Russian and European art by helping cultivate collectors in the museum's circle and by writing grant proposals and exhibition travel proposals.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• MA in art history or a closely related field
• Ability to read, write, and speak Russian fluently
• 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in acquiring, researching, exhibiting, and publishing works of Russian and/or European art
• Strong written and verbal communication, research, and time-management skills
• Demonstrated track record of cultivation and diplomatic skills
• Experience working successfully with a diverse community
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, and to work evening and weekend hours as needed

Preferred:

• PhD
• Knowledge of museum, nonprofit, and academic administration
• Reading knowledge of a second European language, such as French or German

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested candidates are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information (email and/or telephone numbers) for three professional references. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

ABOUT AMHERST COLLEGE
Amherst College, one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, a town of approximately 35,000 residents in the western part of the state. The college's community is composed of about 1,800 students from 48 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 54 countries around the world, and about 1,000 staff and faculty. The college's scenic 1,000-acre campus includes a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary and the Book & Plow Farm ; three museums: Emily Dickinson Museum , Beneski Museum of Natural History and Mead Art Museum ; and multiple educational and cultural venues and resources through the Five College Consortium. The town of Amherst offers an amazing variety of coffee shops, restaurants and entertainment, and a very active outdoor life. Our vibrant campus, diverse community and beautiful surrounding, makes Amherst College and the Town of Amherst the perfect place to work, learn and live!

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Posted on December 19, 2019.