MUSEUM CURATOR - 03202025-66296

Job Information

LOCATION OF (2) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF STATE MUSEUM, ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

This position is designed as Hybrid (In office and Remote).

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and three years of experience in one or a combination of the following: professional or paraprofessional work in a museum, historic site, library, or archive; or professional experience involved in the instruction or research in education, art, history, museum science or related field.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Graduate coursework credit received from an accredited college or university in education, museum science, library science, history, art, archaeology, and/or anthropology may substitute for the required experience, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of two years (e.g., 36 graduate quarter hours in one or a combination of the above listed fields may substitute for one year of the required experience).

Necessary Special Qualifications: Complete a background clearance application which includes releasing all records involving any criminal history. A valid motor vehicle operator's license is required.

Examination Method: Education and Experience,100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

Under direct supervision, The Museum Curator is responsible for professional museum curatorial work. An employee in this class is responsible for managing the research of the collection. This class differs from the Museum Curatorial Assistant in that an employee of the latter is responsible for assisting curators and may be supervised by Museum Curator. This class differs from the Museum Director in that an employee in the latter has full management of the curatorial duties.

Responsibilities

1. Develops Museum as a Statewide Center for Excellence: Functions as the primary staff contact for inquiries from other museums throughout Tennessee regarding artifact interpretation. Serves as a leader in content development related to state and national historical commemorations, including creating and sharing original scholarship on related topics and developing associated exhibits, programming, and publications. Provides professional expertise to Tennessee museums by sharing information about museum projects and professional best standards. Creating statewide community through activities such as field service projects and partnerships; presentations at professional conferences; or lessons, classes, lectures for local and state history groups; and for university classes training the museum professionals of the future.
2. Interprets Objects Related to Art, Culture, History and Agriculture of Tennessee: Proposes to Museum Executive Director the concept of an exhibition and upon approval; researches and develops content for physical exhibits in the museum's galleries, online exhibits, and traveling exhibits. Works collaboratively and cross-departmentally to direct the selection of artifacts, objects, and graphics; develops structure and themes; authors exhibit text following best practices for ADA compliance standards according to the American Alliance of Museums; crafts the historical interpretation to include the context of the artifact; prepares and reviews content for films and interactive; oversees interpretation in the exhibit. Proposes, researches, and identifies artifacts for loans to and from other museums, entities, and private individuals for the support of exhibits and the education and enjoyment of museum visitors. Continually reviews long term exhibitions within the Museum and oversees the implementation of object rotations and text revisions needed.
3. Strategically Develops the Museum Collection: Develop and maintains awareness of the collection. Identifies strengths and weaknesses of the collection to inform collecting and deaccession decisions. Diversity and underrepresentation in the collection should be identified and efforts made for improvement. Initiates the acquisition of artifacts for the museum's collection through purchase, donation, or transfer, according to the museum's mission statement and in accordance with the Collections Management Policy, and the standards of the American Alliance of Museums. Adhere to professional, ethical and legal standards for museum best practices.
4. Subject Matter Expert: Serves as subject matter experts on Tennessee history and culture. Provides public service through programs, workshops, tours, conference presentations, scholarly publications and responding to public inquiries. Maintains up-to-date knowledge through development of personal knowledge base, research, communication, and self-directed learning. Provides professional expertise regarding the interpretation of artifacts and other technical museum questions to other museum professionals and state government officials.
5. Community Outreach and Partnerships: Works with community groups, universities, state agencies, grant agencies, and other entities. Professionally represents the museum at conferences, public speaking engagements/events, legislative branch representatives, and state officials. Provides support and insight for legislative bill analysis. Pursues and develops relationships with underrepresented communities across the state to improve the collection, broaden understanding of Tennessee history and culture, and insures diversity in museum interpretation and programming.
6. Physical and Intellectual Access to the Museum Collections: Provides the public with access to the museum's collection through supporting researchers, addressing public inquiries concerning the collection, preparing collections records for the online public portals, presentations, and publications.
7. Communication and Relationship Building: Responds to inquiries from the public concerning museum artifacts and content-related questions. Cultivates relationships with donors, collectors, dealers, academic and professional colleagues in support of the Collections Department Strategic Goals. Communicates museum interpretation and content expertise to the media, state elected officials, commissioners, and other special parties as requested by museum leadership. Enhances the reputation of the museum's collection and exhibitions among scholars, museum professionals, and the public through visible participation in the field and community. Collaborates with other museum professionals to develop content for social media as requested.
8. Preservation of Artifacts: Under the direction of the Chief Registrar, ensures safety of the collection by maintaining best practices for handling, transport, and storage. Collaborates with internal colleagues and contractors to plan for and execute treatment plans of identified artifacts. Assists the registration staff to ensure object safety during exhibition install and deinstall, loans and other special projects. May include directing the curatorial assistants, interns, volunteers, and contractors.
9. Collections Database: Utilizes research methods to strengthen the database collection. Updating catalogs by editing object records for accuracy and thoroughness of the artifact interpretation. Continually adding object records to enhance the public access to the state's collection and assist external researchers.
10. Administrative Responsibilities: Provides reports to museum leadership and informs on matters related to the collection and museum interpretation as requested for institutional needs. Interacts with contractors related to exhibitions and conservation. Supervises onsite contractors for special projects and exhibits. Attends board meetings as assigned by museum leadership. Supports the Art in Offices program and ensures up-to-date maintenance of inventory and location of art on loan to elected and appointed officials. Works collectively with administrative/fiscal office related to purchases/expenses to ensure compliance with state purchasing policies. Prepares all documents and forms as required for all artifact acquisitions. Develops proposals to attend training/conferences and develops curriculum for trainings. Completes required state and museum trainings.

Competencies (KSA's)

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Competencies:

• Creativity
• Functional/Technical Competency
• Decision Quality
• Perspective
• Integrity and Trust
• Patience
• Clerical
• Fine Arts
• History and Archeology
• Geography
• Geology
• Active Learning & Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Speaking
• Writing
• Complex Problem Solving
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Time Management
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Originality
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension

Tools & Equipment

• Personal Computer
• Telephone
• Fax Machine
• Printer
• Institutional vehicles

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.