Available Positions
The Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM) is looking for a highly organized, focused, energetic individual to fill the position of full-time Curator of Collections and Exhibitions. This position reports to the President and CEO and is responsible for the management and maintenance of all aspects of the Museum’s collections and exhibitions. Expert knowledge of PastPerfect V.5, Microsoft office, Excel, and PowerPoint required; Adobe Suites experience preferred. Candidate will have knowledge of the process of developing exhibits to include planning, design, fabrication, and installation. In addition, candidate will understand best practices and standards of collections stewardship as set forth by the American Alliance of Museums.
Education and experience requirements:
Bachelor’s Degree in Museum Studies, Public History, History, Historic Preservation, or equivalent; Master’s Degree in Museum Studies preferred. Minimum of 5-years curatorial and exhibition experience required.
Specific duties may include, but are not limited to:
Collections:
- Oversee documentation, maintenance, and physical care of the museum’s collections.
- Monitor and record environmental systems.
- Identify and work with sources of new acquisitions, whether through purchase or donation. Perform due diligence on potential acquisitions by researching their provenance and value.
- Maintain an accurate and timely record of the Museum’s collection using PastPerfect v.5 or similar collection database.
- Work to uphold the procedures and guidelines set forth in the Collections Management policy.
- Work with President and CEO to identify and cultivate potential donors of objects for acquisition into the collection.
- Perform a periodic inventory of Museum’s collection. Such inventory will be used to identify the conservation needs of the collection, and to establish priorities, budgets, and conservators for meeting those needs.
Exhibits:
- Identify future exhibits, providing a minimum 2-year lead-time.
- Independent exhibit development and team exhibit development to include a thorough understanding of exhibit contract and budget oversight, exhibit design and development, as well as the oversight of exhibit planners, designers, fabricators, and installation.
- Research and identify objects to be used in each exhibit, using the Museum’s collection, as well as those of private and public collectors and arrange with outside collectors and museums for the loan of artifacts, including insurance, appropriate paperwork, and transportation.
- Install and maintain all galleries, special exhibits, and temporary exhibition spaces. This includes building and painting temporary walls and platforms, moving object cases throughout the building, and installing objects and art in all media using accepted museum standards and practice.
- Coordinate all appropriate publicity and marketing for new and ongoing exhibits in a timely manner (e.g. press release, website and e-blast content, advertising, interviews, etc).
- Work with the Education and Public Programs Coordinator to develop exhibit interactives and education programs for diverse audiences.
- Develop, maintain, and track department and project budgets.
- Supervise staff, student interns, and volunteers as appropriate.
- Answer research requests and coordinate public requests for research.
Additional Requirements:
- Lead tours, introduce guest lecturers, and speak in classrooms, on panels, or at career days, etc., as required.
- Attend museum programming and functions, as required, including those scheduled on evenings and weekends.
- Ability to work unscheduled time during periods of installation/de-installation.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills, and ability to see projects through to completion.
- Ability to apply creative methods to solve problems with an attention to detail.
- Ability to work well both as part of a team and under own direction.
- Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to climb ladders and scaffolding; ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to stand for long periods of time.
- Ability to use eyes and hands to examine and handle delicate objects.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Please submit cover letter, resume, three references, two writing samples, and exhibition sample overseen by the candidate to info@famcc.org. Applicant close date is 3/31/2020.
Internship Positions Available
The FAM is currently seeking internship applications for our 10-week internship program. For inquires, please contact Vicki Sowers at vsowers@famcc.org or at 540-371-3037 ext. 130.
Volunteer Positions Available
FAM is seeking volunteers to assist with researching, grant writing, and creating new traveling education programs. Please contact Vicki Sowers for additional information at vsowers@famcc.org or 540.371.3037.