The Newark Museum is one of the most influential museums in the country and the largest art and education institution in New Jersey. Its extensive collections, which include art from around the world as well as significant holdings of science, technology and natural history, rank 12th in size nationally. The Museum is dedicated to artistic excellence, education and community engagement with an overarching commitment to broadening and diversifying arts participation.
The Museum’s distinguished art collections are international in scope and include an Asian Art collection with the most important collection of Tibetan art in the West; one of the nation’s earliest and most comprehensive collections of African Art; a nationally and internationally recognized collection of 18th-to 21st-century American painting and sculpture; an acclaimed Decorative Arts collection and Ancient Mediterranean collections featuring an unparalleled collection of ancient glass. The Museum’s collections are presented on a seven-acre campus that encompasses the Ballantine House, a Victorian-era mansion which is a National Historic Landmark, the Dreyfuss Memorial Garden, and Horizon Plaza.
The Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs Opportunity:
Under the leadership of its new Director/CEO, Linda Harrison, the Newark Museum is poised for a chapter of transformation, exciting growth and development.
As a member of the senior leadership team, the Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs will play a critical role in reimagining and interpreting the Museum’s incredible collections with the goal of re-engaging the greater Newark, New Jersey, New York and global audiences.
S/he will oversee the museum’s four collecting departments: Asian, American, African and Decorative Arts, along with the Historic Ballantine House. S/he will head three additional divisions: Exhibitions, Content Strategy and Collections (which includes conservation, registration, library and archives, collections information and access).
This role is the senior curatorial position at the Newark Museum and oversees the care, development and display of the 129,000-object permanent collection, and directs and oversees the curatorial, exhibition and registrar program in support of the Museum’s mission. This position reports directly to the Director/CEO, and works with Trustees and other senior leadership to develop and implement all curatorial initiatives at the Museum. In addition, the Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs will oversee exhibitions presented on-site as well as a worldwide touring exhibition program.
The ideal candidate will have the following professional and personal qualities, skills and characteristics:
Skilled at building effective relationships at multiple levels across complex institutions;
Strong interpersonal skills and experience in building and leading teams;
A sophisticated understanding and passion for art and art history, the materials, techniques and condition of art objects, along with a robust record of exhibitions and scholarly publications; and
Passionate about working in partnership with the staff, donors, the community and other partners to advance the mission and curatorial agenda.
The Position Profile can be found here. Potential candidates are encouraged to express interest here. We welcome recommendations of potential candidates via koyachicago@koyapartners.com.