Susan G. Detweiler Associate Curator of American Art

Philadelphia, PA
Full Time
Experienced
We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status. 

How You Will Contribute

The Associate Curator of American Art is responsible for the care, utilization, and development of the Museum’s extensive and world-renowned holdings of painting and sculpture made in the United States or by American artists working abroad. This position is conceived as a specialist of nineteenth-century American art with a primary focus on the period circa 1850 to 1910/1920, a transformational era marked by industrialization, the rise of national schools, and increasing international engagement. The associate curator works under the supervision of the Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Senior Curator of American Art and Director of the Center for Art, who serves as Head of the Department of American Art. As a member of the Museum’s curatorial staff, the Associate Curator of American Art is expected to participate in all aspects of the Museum’s work and uphold the highest standards of scholarship, connoisseurship, and professional practices in the field.

Specifically, you will:
 
  • Works under the direction of the Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Senior Curator of American Art and Director of the Center for American Art (Head of the Department of American Art), and in cooperation with the other members of the museum’s curatorial, education, and administrative staff to achieve the mission of the institution and its strategic objectives.
  • Works closely with the museum’s conservation, collections management, and design and installation staff to ensure that the works of art in her/his care are properly documented, conserved when treatment is needed, stored in a safe and accessible manner, and effectively displayed in the museum’s galleries for the enjoyment and education of the public.
  • Reviews and provides recommendations on loan requests received by the museum.
  • Conducts or directs research on the collection or on related topics in accordance with a plan developed in consultation with the Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Senior Curator of American Art and Head of the Department of American Art. Utilizes this research for a variety of purposes—e.g., the development of exhibitions and public programming, the enrichment of the museum’s collections database and interpretive materials in the galleries, and for presentation in collections catalogues, scholarly articles, public lectures and symposia, etc., particularly the programs of the PMA’s Center for American Art (CfAA).
  • Collaborates with other PMA curators and staff to plan and implement programs for the Center for American Art that unite the museum’s American collections across departments. Likewise, collaborates on CfAA programs with colleagues and students at other institutions in the region to promote the study and appreciation of American art.
  • Works collaboratively with Learning and Engagement on the development and production of interpretive materials related to the collection—e.g., object labels, introductory text panels, gallery and audio guides, and educational computing tools—and on the content and presentational strategies developed for public programs and distance learning programs.
  • Organizes and/or coordinates special exhibitions, either individually or in collaboration with colleagues from the PMA or peer institutions. This work should be understood as encompassing every aspect of the development and implementation of special exhibitions, from initial project planning and research to participation in budgeting and resource development, the production of the catalogue, the creation of the installation design and a marketing plan to promote the exhibition, and the development and presentation of interpretive programs that will accompany it. 
  • Identifies and recommends works of art in his/her area of responsibility to be acquired for the collection and provides supporting documentation (e.g., the historical and aesthetic significance of the objects, the history of their ownership, and their state of conservation) to justify their acquisition by gift or purchase. In accordance with institutional policies, periodically assesses the area of the collection for which s/he is responsible and makes recommendations for the disposition of works of art that should not be retained. Consults with the museum’s library staff on acquisitions in her/his area of responsibility.
  • Develops in consultation with the Robert L. McNeil Jr. Senior Curator of American Art and Head of the Department of American Art, a professional development plan that will enable him/her to keep up-to-date on scholarship and curatorial developments in the field and address any agreed-upon professional needs (e.g., managerial training, communications skills, etc.).
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the Robert L. McNeil Jr., Senior Curator of American Art and Head of the Department of American Art

Other Responsibilities:
 
  • Works in close cooperation with the museum’s senior staff and development officers to identify and cultivate individuals who are able to support the development of the collection in her/his area of responsibility. This may, where appropriate, involve consulting with current and prospective donors on the development and care of their collections.
  • Participates, as needed, in events organized by the museum for the benefit of its members or various constituent groups such as the Board of Trustees, Women’s Committee, and the Associates program.
  •  Represents the museum to various public constituencies in the city and the region and as needed, attends civic and social events.
  • Serves as a representative of the museum in various professional organizations and events and maintains a strong and effective relationship with curators and scholars in the field, especially those at peer institutions in this country and abroad.
  • Upholds the professional standards of his/her field and always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and will protect and enhance its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
  • Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
  • Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
  • Aspires to excellence in all aspects of his/her work and serves as a model for others.
  • Maintains confidentiality.
  • Adheres to all PMA protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.

Your background and experience include:
 
  • Ph.D. preferred, with a minimum of five years relevant experience in the field.
  • The individual who holds this position must possess a broad familiarity with the history of American art and, more specifically, a detailed knowledge of the history of American painting and sculpture from the mid-nineteenth century through the early 20th century.
  • Expertise in Latin American and/or Native American art of the same period is also desirable.
  • The associate curator will have a proven record of research and curatorial achievement (i.e., the development and coordination of exhibitions, publications, the acquisition of works of art, and collections research) in this field.
  • In addition to a demonstrated ability to work successfully with others—museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies—to achieve institutional objectives, s/he must have a broad knowledge of museum practices in the related fields of education and public programs, conservation, collections management, budget management, marketing, and development and external affairs.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential, as is an ability to work with databases, word processing, and other computing tools that the staff is expected to use on a regular basis.

Position and Compensation Details
 
  • The salary for this position is $80,000.
  • This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week.
  • This position reports to The Robert L. McNeil, Jr., Senior Curator of American Art, and Director, Center for American Art.
  • This position is required to be performed fully onsite at Philadelphia Museum of Art locations.
  • Physical requirements:
    • Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
  • Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

Institutional Requirements
 
  • Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
  • Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
  • Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
  • Maintains confidentiality.
  • Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.


Application Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.

What We Offer

Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:
 
  • Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
  • Discounted guest tickets for admission
  • Discounts on gift memberships
  • Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
  • Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees including:
 
  • Medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
  • Health savings or flexible spending account program
  • Retirement savings program with museum match
  • Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure.

 
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