DEPARTMENT: Exhibitions
TYPE: Full-time (Exempt)
LEVEL: Senior-level
SALARY RANGE: Commensurate with experience
MISSION STATEMENT
The Bass, Miami Beach’s contemporary art museum, creates connections between international contemporary art and the museum’s diverse audiences. The Bass shares the power of contemporary art through experiences that excite, challenge, and educate.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The Chief Curator will work closely with the Executive Director, curatorial team, and leadership team on the organization of various large-scale monographic and thematic exhibitions from concept to installation. The Chief Curator will also independently organize some exhibitions and artist projects and contribute to acquisitions and collection displays. This position reports to the Executive Director.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Formulate and implement long-term and changing exhibitions in collaboration with the Executive Director, Associate Curator of New Media Art, and guest curators as applicable
- Develop and oversee annual exhibitions and collections budget of approximately $1,000,000 in close collaboration with the Finance department, including grant reporting with certain aspects of the budget
- Provide the artistic vision for working with artists and the museum’s collection to organize exhibitions, commissioned projects, public programs, and publications that support artists and strengthen engagement with audiences
- Assign tasks, manage workloads, and monitor progress across all active projects
- Serve as the main liaison between the Exhibitions and Curatorial departments, and coordinate with Education, Operations, Communications, Special Events, Development, Finance, and any other internal teams
- Manage and execute research, writing, and oversight of design and production of various publications
- Write didactic and PR texts for exhibitions, with the possibility for contributions to catalogues
- Work closely with artists, as well as their studios and galleries on upcoming exhibitions and projects
- Work with the Education Department on docent training and development of public and educational programming
- Oversee offsite and outdoor art projects (Walgreens, etc.)
- Negotiate artwork loans in communication with lenders and participants in loan shows
- Give talks and tours for Educational and Public programs
- Travel periodically—locally, regionally, and internationally—for exhibition and professional development
- Represent the museum in fundraising and social events onsite and offsite, locally and regionally
- Oversee exhibitions/collections staff in all logistical planning and installation of exhibitions
- Answer routine correspondence, including public and scholarly inquiries
- Collaborate with the Development department on grant applications, management of awarded grants, and increasing donor engagement with strategic member programming
- Serve as liaison for the Executive Director in addition to working independently with other curatorial staff and departments in the museum, including Collections, Education, Communications, Operations, and Development, as well as external contacts such as artists, donors, galleries, and other institutions
- Administrative and operational duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS AND DESIRED SKILLS:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g. fine arts, project management, arts administration, art history, etc.), Master’s and/or PhD preferred
- 8+ years of curatorial experience with a record of increasing professional responsibility and measurable accomplishments
- 5+ years of work experience in a comparable field such as a gallery, museum, arts non-profit, private collection, etc.
- Wide knowledge of and enthusiasm about contemporary art
- Ability to read technical drawings and plans
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; bilingual preferred, not required; ability to easily communicate with a variety of constituents and stakeholders
- Strong organizational, planning and research skills
- Ability to work independently and self-directed, exercise creative problem-solving, initiative and good judgment to successfully organize and complete assignments
- Detail-oriented, meticulous, and conscientious in following through on assigned tasks
- Knowledge of condition reporting and collection care methods and procedures
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, artists, visitors, and community members
- Working knowledge of collections management systems
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point) required
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be in good physical condition, able to move moderately heavy objects (35lbs.), bend, stoop, walk, climb stairs, stand, and sit for extended periods of time. Must be able to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends
COMPENSATION PACKAGE
The Bass offers a competitive salary and benefits package to all eligible employees, with a combination of carefully devised supplemental benefits, including:
- Health insurance, vision and dental plan coverage
- 401k
- Paid time off, including paid holidays, vacation days, sick days, and personal days
TO APPLY
Please submit resume, cover letter (including desired salary), and three references (include full name, relationship to you, place of employment, phone number, and email) to Executive Office & Human Resources Manager Everett Ford at [email protected]. Include the Subject line “Chief Curator Job Application” in your email. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to all inquiries. Please, no phone inquiries or in-person submissions. If your qualifications and experience match the needs of the current opening, we will contact you for an interview.
The Bass is committed to creating a diverse environment. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, marital status, political affiliation, or veteran status.