Position Overview:

The Curator of Visual Arts, Media, and Technology is a senior curatorial position at the MIT Museum. For this role, the museum seeks an experienced, creative, and entrepreneurial-minded curator interested in pioneering this critical role. The curator will be responsible for cutting edge exhibitions bridging art, science, technology, and design at MIT and for a global audience. Building on the museum’s existing collections in photography, holography, and graphic design, the new curator will also be expected to be deeply committed to the imaginative development, safeguarding, and care of a world-class collection of artifacts (physical and digital) especially in digital media and technology.

The museum is seeking a recognized subject-area authority (specialty is open) -- an experienced researcher with a strong record of exhibitions and publications with the ability to be a strong advocate for its collections. The curator should be able to strengthen and advance the Museum’s mission with the aim of increasing and diffusing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and developing creative initiatives that bring its work, and the work of MIT to the widest possible public audience. As part of the senior curatorial leadership, the curator also plays a key role in planning for the safety and security of all collections.

With the goal of expanding the reach of the museum and its collections, the curator will be expected to work collaboratively with all museum staff and to actively engage communities both inside and outside MIT through exhibitions, teaching, talks, programs and other activities. In particular, the curator will be expected to extend and deepen partnerships (including possible teaching opportunities) in the Schools of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences and Architecture and Planning (including the MIT Media Lab); the various arts entities including the Center for Art, Science and Technology; and the MIT Libraries.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Exhibition Development and Curation: Work with the Director of Galleries and Exhibitions as part of an exhibitions team to curate transdisciplinary exhibitions and displays at the MIT Museum and on campus. Identify and manage groups of external Curatorial Advisors to support exhibition development. Plan and develop exhibition concepts; research and write exhibition text; identify, locate and prepare artifacts for display; collaborate with the Registrar, Collections Manager and Exhibitions Team members to conceptualize exhibitions and artifact displays. Assist in the preparation of material to support fundraising and publicity efforts in connection with exhibitions and related programs and support exhibition documentation and evaluation.

Research and writing: Research subject areas of exhibitions and publications; write scholarly articles and/or books in subject areas related to her/his areas of expertise; write text for exhibitions, catalogues, websites, press articles and general publications.

Collection development and management: Prepare (or oversee) inventories of new acquisitions; image (or oversee the imaging process) of new and existing collections; catalogue and contribute essential metadata to collection databases. and research and write collection finding aids and other documentation. Develop and oversee appropriate conservation, safety, and preservation strategies for the collection and work collaboratively with the Registrar and/or Collections Manager in the preparation of collection loans. Formulate (and regularly update) a collections rationale and related policies and programs for the Visual Arts, Media and Technology Collection.

Develop and maintain contacts in the visual arts, photography, holography, and design communities within and outside MIT, and in the art market, fairs and other contexts that may be potential resources for collections acquisitions. Serve on juries, provide critiques and reviews that engage artists, designers and photographers and identify potential acquisitions.

Imaging and Digital Assets Initiatives: Contribute to the ongoing development of the Museum’s collections online portal and digital asset management system. Develop and manage digital imaging initiatives in collaboration with the Digital Archivist and develop strategies for acquisition and access of the collections’ “born digital” assets.

Educational and Public Programs: Organize and present educational programs for MIT, including possible opportunities to teach or work as a departmental research affiliate; interact with students and faculty at other universities; work collaboratively with the Engagement Team to present museum tours, gallery talks, symposia and other special events; and work creatively with the MIT community to provide access to collections and support for MIT’s research, teaching and public engagement endeavors. Supervise interns and other academic fellows engaged with work in the collections.

Public services: Respond to reference requests from museum staff, the MIT community, scholars, researchers, professional practitioners, media, and the general public, and assist with collections consultation in collaboration with other curators and collections team members.

Other: Participate in regular collections team meetings. Contribute to the development of the Museum’s general collections policies and practices, general assignments and projects, meetings of the oversight Collections Committee, and mandatory specialized trainings (e.g.: hazardous materials); act as one of the lead emergency contacts for security and environmental risk emergencies and provide support for all other collections-related emergency. Occasional evening and weekend hours required for public programs or other events. Other duties as assigned including those at a lower level when necessary.

Supervision Received:

Supervision for the Curator of Visual Arts, Media, and Technology is provided by the Director of Collections.

Supervision Exercised:

Supervises temporary project staff and interns as may be hired, and volunteers.

Qualifications & Skills:

REQUIRED:

Master’s degree in history of art, architecture, design or photography, or related field is required. Knowledge of the history of art, visual media, technology, design and photography is expected.

Minimum of 8-years’ experience as a curator and/or researcher in the field of visual arts, media and technology, art history, design or related field is required. Must have demonstrated excellence in the development, interpretation, management and handling of museum collections, including experience identifying and developing conservation and preservation treatments for the varied collections artifacts, digital media, and archival materials.

Experience developing and maintaining museum exhibitions and exhibition-related programs, including experience serving as lead curator and/or project manager for multiple large-scale exhibition projects.

Excellent organizational and time management skills, the ability to develop effective work processes and to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.

Excellent writing abilities as demonstrated by a record of exhibitions, publications, and conference presentations as well as other forms of public engagement such as websites, blogs and other social media work.

Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills as the job requires frequent contact with museum staff and MIT faculty, staff, alumnae and students as well as prominent international scholars, donors, and the general public. The ability to build trust, interact effectively and develop meaningful relationships with diverse constituencies is essential. Often deals with confidential information and/or issues that require using discretion and judgment.

Able to make frequent public presentations (both planned and unplanned) and represent the museum (and MIT) in the media, with prospective donors and other fundraising events

Participation in scholarly and professional organizations as well as collaborations with other museums is expected (as time allows) and some travel is required. (Occasional travel/ability to travel)

The job requires the physical handling of artifacts and all manner of archival materials. The ability to lift at least 35 pounds as well as the ability to stand and work on one’s feet for extended periods is essential.

Ability to travel to various sites on campus and the off-site collections facility; transport artifacts; and meet with potential donors to inspect artifacts.

Participate in evening and weekend events as necessary.

PREFERRED:

A senior experienced curatorial professional with a significant record of collections and exhibitions accomplishments as well as supervisory experience.

A doctoral degree in history of visual arts, media, technology, design, art history or related field.

Grant writing and fundraising experience.

Substantial experience with collections database and management systems. (The museum currently uses the MimsyXG system and Piction DAMS.)

Experience using digital imaging technology such as digital medium format and DSLR cameras and software such as Photoshop and Lightroom.

Ability to read and/or fluency in a language other than English.

Current driver’s license.

Expectations for all employees:

As a member of the MIT community, supports MIT’s Non-Discrimination Policy and respectfully interacts with others in the community, and continues to expand their understanding of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion best practices. Represents MIT with professionalism, ethics, integrity, and mutual respect towards colleagues and internal/external clients. Keeps current and proficient with necessary skills and knowledge, including computer skills. Self-identifies training needs relevant to work area and responsibilities. Demonstrates initiative, flexibility, openness to change, and accountability. Works within a team environment, providing support to and collaboration with colleagues. Is expected to know and follow relevant Environmental Health and Safety Requirements.

To apply please visit the MIT Career Portal. This position is an MIT Pay Scale of 9.