The incumbent plays a vital leadership role at the National Gallery and is one of four senior curators reporting to the Chief Curatorial and Conservation Officer (CCCO). The new curator will galvanize and direct the activities of the Modern and Contemporary art department to conceive and implement innovative and forward-thinking and audience-centered curatorial strategies, scholarship, and public service.
Basic Qualification Requirements for 1015 (Museum Curator series): A) Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject-matter field; or B) Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education; or C) Four years of experience that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4-year course of study as shown in A above. You must submit transcripts as proof of education or certification to be considered for this position. You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying specialized experience. Specialized experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. In addition to meeting the basic education requirements, applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications. Specialized Experience Statement: While not required by regulation, agencies may require that at least 1 year of the specialized experience must be at least equivalent to experience at GS-15 (5 CFR 319.301(c)(2)) To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, candidates must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to grade level GS-15. Specialized experience is defined as curating contemporary or modern and contemporary art of the Global South exhibitions and collections for a museum or other cultural institution and the demonstrated ability to perform the duties of the position, including progressively broad and complex experience directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) below. OPM Qualifications Standard: Individual Occupational Requirements: Museum Curator Series 1015 Associated Group standard: Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must address the following mandatory qualifications separate from their resumes. Statements must provide specific examples that address relevant experience, accomplishments and evidence that you possess demonstrated superior technical qualifications. You will not be considered for this position if you fail to submit qualification statements specifically addressing each mandatory technical qualification requirement. Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs): Maximum of two pages per MTQ. MTQ 1. We are interested in your experience in researching works of art since that function is prominent in this role. Have you overseen major art historical research projects? Were those projects in the area of contemporary or modern and contemporary art of the global south or in other areas? Did the research involve directing others, and were you responsible for assigning and approving work? What were the outcomes of your research? Provide links to the work if applicable. MTQ 2. This role benefits from someone who has experience across museum departments and divisions to develop and implement projects and initiatives that support or advance a larger institutional vision. Have you had to initiate or participate in a large museum project that required cross-departmental work related to contemporary art or modern and contemporary art of the Global South? Did you have to develop strategies to advance that collaborative effort? Were you responsible for building team consensus and creating a final product? MTQ 3. Describe your skill in acquisitions related to contemporary art or modern and contemporary of the Global South. Have you developed a strategic collecting plan or determined priorities? How did you gain consensus from stakeholders on what pieces of art to acquire? Describe the situation and any obstacles you overcame. How recent was this experience? MTQ 4. Describe your recent experience with networking on behalf of an organization. How recent was it? What kinds of relationships have you developed, and how? Are you active in any professional organization, particularly in CAA, AAM, AAMC, and CiMAM-specific networking? regardless, which organizations or affinity groups afforded you a chance to work with groups in similar or complementary fields to yours? What activities were involved in the networking experiences (presenting, listening, teaching, social, serving as an officer, etc.)? MTQ 5. Describe your skill in setting short- and long-term goals for yourself and others. How have you ensured that the activities of a team are well-integrated with those of other teams? How have you planned a year or more ahead of time and then delivered on that plan? Address the way and frequency with which you have collaborated with others to achieve something bigger than one person can achieve. Elaborate on methods and outcomes related to generating new ideas for opportunities and initiatives to advance an employer's goals. Has professional development and education factored into the way you lead others – how do you keep up to date on the latest information in your field? Describe the way you supervise and mentor others, including the full range of hiring, supervising, and terminating as circumstances warrant. Other Relevant Eligibility Criteria: Requires availability for domestic and international travel up to 10%. Your responses to the MTQs will be evaluated based on how clearly and concisely you emphasize your level of responsibilities, particularly, the scope and complexity of the programs, activities, or services managed; program accomplishments; policy initiatives undertaken; level of contacts; the sensitivity and criticality of the issues addressed; and the results of actions taken. You are required to submit separate narrative statements for each MTQ to receive consideration for this position. Please see the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section for complete details regarding the page limitation and formatting requirement. Applicants must carefully review the information in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for important information and instructions pertaining to the multi-hurdle assessment process for this position. Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
If selected for this position, the programs managed include, but are not limited to: Undertakes and oversees major art historical research projects based on observation, critical analysis, hypothesis, investigation, evidence, and conclusions, utilizing established art historical approaches as well as broader methodologies that illuminate new perspectives. The incumbent leads the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art and is responsible for formulating and implementing its strategic plan in consultation with the Chief Curator and Conservation Officer. Manages the departmental budget and personnel matters. Participates in Gallery-wide activities and meetings related to curatorial or administrative matters of concern to the department or the Gallery at large. As a Senior Curator, the incumbent assists the Chief Curator and Curatorial Officer in management duties beyond the departmental level, as assigned. Participates in Gallery-wide advisory, curatorial, and management committees. Proposes acquisitions as gifts or purchases to ensure the growth and expansion of the collection. Performs and/or delegates scholarly work on the collection as well as potential acquisitions to ensure proper authentication and documentation of modern and contemporary belonging to the Gallery or proposed as gifts or purchases. Writes and/or directs others to write proposals for acquisition and ensures that changes of attribution are reviewed by the Chief Curator and Conservation Officer and the Director for consideration by the Board of Trustees. Cultivates close and cooperative long-term relationships with donors, collectors, scholars, and art dealers to attract and secure single objects, collections, purchase funds, or other types of gifts. Works collaboratively and cross-departmentally to implement interpretive, brand content, and programmatic strategies that serve the museum’s multiple publics. Manages staff, which includes hiring employees; assigning, monitoring, reviewing, and providing constructive feedback to the work of subordinates; prepares position descriptions, performance standards, and annual evaluations of staff; recruits and retains a diverse, high-quality workforce. In addition to the senior curator, the department includes seven-full time permanent curators across several areas of expertise in modern and contemporary art, including positions devoted to modern art, contemporary art, African American and Afro-Diasporic and Latinx art. The department has four curatorial support. staff.