deCordova seeks new Chief Curator
deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
51 Sandy Pond Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum seeks a dynamic, knowledgeable, and highly-motivated leader for the position of Chief Curator (or for a candidate with appropriate experience, Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs). This person will be responsible for the curatorial vision of the institution and will be a senior leader across the organization.
About deCordova
DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is a collecting contemporary art institution located in the Boston suburb of Lincoln, Massachusetts. Attracting more than 100,000 visitors each year, deCordova is comprised of a 30-acre Sculpture Park with numerous micro-environments for artwork and interaction, a museum that encompasses both a converted historic structure along with a contemporary addition with 5,000 square feet of gallery space. DeCordova has 30 full-time staff and an annual operating budget of approximately 4.8 million USD. In coming years the institution will initiate a major capital campaign to realize the work outlined in a master plan as well as to buttress its endowments.
About the Position
This is a critical position in a unique contemporary art institution. The Chief Curator (CC) leads a curatorial team creating compelling exhibitions across several programmatic loci, both indoors and out, and will curate his/her own major projects. In addition, the CC works to broaden the museum’s participation in the international contemporary art scene by building and leveraging personal connections with artists, dealers, collectors, and peer institutions, and through his/her leadership and scholarship in the field. While deCordova has an active gallery exhibition program in all media, it has recently committed itself to the strategic goal of being among the leading contemporary sculpture parks in the United States. Hence while the CC is expected to lead curatorial efforts across the organization and all media, he/she should have a particular passion for contemporary sculpture.
Creative leadership in curatorial approach and the ability to balance an international perspective with sensitivity toward deCordova’s community and the local arts scene is imperative. The CC will have important roles in launching a newly-initiated sculpture park consortium, leading the process of awarding deCordova’s annual 25,000 USD Rappaport Art Prize, supporting development and marketing efforts to raise funds and awareness, and collaborating with the Museum’s department of Learning and Engagement to interpret contemporary art through programs that provide rich points of connection for a broad spectrum of visitors.
Requirements
The ideal candidate will have five or more years of experience working in an advanced curatorial capacity (department head, senior curator, or similar) with a record of compelling exhibitions and publications in the field of contemporary art. Preference will be given to candidates with meaningful connections with international sculptors, collectors, and dealers of sculpture. In addition, prior success developing a curatorial team and managing staff, demonstrated finance and fundraising skills, and exemplary communications and presentation skills will prove a significant advantage.
To Apply
Applicants should forward a cover letter articulating their interest, complete curriculum vitae or resume, bibliography and no more than three sample publications (exhibition catalogues, brochures, etc.) that they feel best represents recent work. Materials may be submitted digitally to hr [at] decordova.org and/or via mail to Curatorial Search, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, 51 Sandy Pond Road, Lincoln, MA 01773, USA. The position will remain open until filled.
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