SHELDON MUSEUM OF ART
CHIEF CURATOR & ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR CURATORIAL AFFAIRS
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska
Application Deadline: CLOSED
Museum Search & Reference is leading the search for the newly created position of Chief Curator & Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs (CC&ADCA) at the widely respected Sheldon Museum of Art (Sheldon) on the campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. This expansive new position has been created to provide inclusive, collaborative leadership to Sheldon’s collection, exhibition, research, and scholarship initiatives and will work alongside another key position, Associate Director for Learning, Engagement, and Public Practice, to catalyze meaningful academic and community engagement with Sheldon’s world-class collection of American Art.
ABOUT SHELDON MUSEUM OF ART
The mission of Sheldon Museum of Art is to utilize its extraordinary collection as a springboard to develop relevant and compelling exhibitions and public programs that inspire inquiry and discovery, serving the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the state of Nebraska, the larger regional community, and beyond. Following the intentions of the Sheldon Art Association (SAA), founded in 1888, the visionary estate gifts of Mary Frances Sheldon and her brother resulted in the construction of Sheldon’s landmark Philip Johnson-designed museum in 1963. That same year, the Junior League of Lincoln established the museum’s docent program, whose forward-thinking ties to school curriculum remain a model today. In 1970, Sheldon dedicated the nation’s third sculpture garden—after the Museum of Modern Art’s in New York and the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden in Los Angeles. In 1972, Sheldon was among the earliest institutions to receive accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums.
Today, Sheldon holds one of the nation’s leading academic art collections, which includes nearly 13,000 objects in diverse media owned by the SAA and the university. The collection comprises prominent works of 19th-century landscape and still life, American impressionism, early modernism, geometric abstraction, abstract expressionism, and minimalism, as well as more than 3,000 photographs spanning the history of the medium. Additionally, thirty-three outdoor sculptures from Sheldon’s collection are exhibited across campus, including major works by Gaston Lachaise, Jacques Lipchitz, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Richard Serra, and Mark di Suvero.
The SAA continues its mission as the museum’s membership-based support organization focused on fundingexhibitions, acquisitions, learning, and engagement. A 501(c)(3), the SAA owns part of the museum’s collection.Alongside the SAA, Sheldon’s support and advisory groups include the University of Nebraska Foundation, a private foundation; the Sheldon Advisory Board, a committee appointed by the Chancellor of the university; and the Sheldon Student Advisory Board. Sheldon’s current strategic plan supports the university’s core aspirations: 1) Nebraska students co-create their experience, 2) research and creativity transform lives and learning, 3) every person and every interaction matters, and 4) engagement builds communities. Sheldon Museum of Art reports to the office of Chancellor Rodney Bennett, a governance structure that elevates the status of the museum on campus, in Lincoln, and across the state.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Chief Curator and Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs (CC&ADCA) is one of three leadership positions that will collaboratively establish and assess Sheldon’s direction and strategic priorities. Reporting to the museum’s Director and working in close collaboration with the Associate Director for Learning, Engagement, and Public Practice, this position leads collection and exhibition initiatives that draw from Sheldon’s renowned collection of American modern and contemporary art, discovering and advancing innovative, interdisciplinary opportunities to forward a complex, nuanced interpretation of “American” art. The CC&ADCA provides direct supervision to two positions: Associate Curator for Exhibitions and Senior Registrar.
Director Susan Longhenry, an innovative leader in academic art venues, came on board in August 2023 following the retirement of Wally Mason, who led the museum for nine years. Inherent in this opportunity is the potential to advance Sheldon under Longhenry’s progressive agenda. Prioritizing an experiential and inclusive approach to audience development and engagement, Longhenry has put into place a forward-facing strategic blueprint around the tenets of the Empathetic Museum, toward the realization of a welcoming museum that is visitor-centered, civic-minded, diverse, inclusive, responsive, and participatory. Central to Sheldon’s strategic plan is the re-alignment and categorization of key staff positions to reflect this framework, and the creation of this impactful opportunity for an innovative, experimental, and proactive museum curator, who will work collaboratively across museum departments and activate its outstanding American Art collection, to advance the museum’s visibility, impact, and presence throughout the campus, community, region, and nation.
This opportunity will appeal to an innovative and aspirational museum curator who is excited about providing thought partnership around the considerable strengths of Sheldon’s collection and activating its potential through the development of risk-taking and innovative exhibitions and curatorial partnerships. The CC&ADCA will have a specialization in the American Art canon and also the breadth of experience to advance a community-centric and interdisciplinary approach to exhibition development, related scholarship, and programming that speaks to the current cultural and sociopolitical landscape in innovative ways. Supported by the wealth of dynamic resources at the University of Nebraska, they will demonstrate a generative and inclusive creative vision that engages and excites campus and community stakeholders and motivates and inspires confidence from individual donors and collectors.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS
The broad strategic priorities of this position include further definition of Sheldon’s exhibition program and its goals, the continued development of Sheldon’s collection plan and its integration with the collections owned by the SAA and the University, advancing institutional alignment with regard to the museum’s larger strategic goals and growth opportunities, and cultivating individual donors and collectors to support a high level of investment and engagement in the museum and its mission.
Develop, implement, and oversee an Exhibition Policy that clearly articulates how Sheldon’s exhibitions advance the museum’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities and engage both campus and community constituencies.
Strategically engage on a regular basis with the Executive Leadership team (Director, Associate Director for Learning, Engagement, and Public Practice) to collaboratively agree upon and communicate high-level curatorial, operational, and programmatic decisions, in accordance with the museum’s strategic plan, prioritizing accessibility and relevance.
Curate and organize high-profile exhibitions—including traveling exhibitions—inspired by and drawn from Sheldon’s collection, inclusive of original research to uncover new insights into the collection.
Present lectures, gallery talks, docent trainings, University of Nebraska class sessions, and other programs related to the museum’s exhibitions and collections.
Research, write, and oversee scholarly and interpretive content for publications supporting Sheldon exhibitions and its collection, working closely with other professional and contract staff.
Develop and continuously assess a Collections Plan that guides the strategic growth of the collection, and monitor, recommend, and establish annual goals for acquisitions and deaccessions, working with staff and the collections committee.
Work closely with key Development staff to engage museum stakeholders and contribute to fundraising initiatives supporting Sheldon’s collections and exhibitions.
Oversee the development and management of operating, project, and program budgets for collections and exhibitions.
Advance outcome-based evaluation strategies in partnership with the Associate Director for Learning, Engagement, and Public Practice and work with the Director of Communications to implement promotional efforts supporting Sheldon’s exhibition and collection initiatives.
Embody an inclusive, collaborative, supportive, and respectful supervisory mindset providing key direction and inspiring mentorship.
Participate in and present at regional and national professional organizations and on occasion, serve as a spokesperson on campus and in the larger community, including for national forums and networks.
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND ATTRIBUTES
M.A. in art history or related field and 5-7 years’ experience working in an art museum, or equivalent, in a curatorial role with some relevance to the modern and contemporary American Art canon represented in Sheldon’s collection. Experience in an academic art museum and a publications history preferred.
Experience developing successful cross-cultural, relevant, and innovative exhibitions and curatorial partnerships that involve multiple internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating a compelling curatorial vision.
Prior experience developing and managing art museum collections, including familiarity with collection-management databases.
Successful supervisory experience along with progressive organizational, communication, and team-building skills. Comfortable with delegation, evaluation, and mentorship, utilizing a collaborative and generous mindset.
Emotional intelligence and strong written and verbal communication skills that engage diverse audiences.
Knowledge of current best practices for art museums as articulated by the American Alliance of Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors, and other related professional organizations.
Research shows that women and individuals from under-represented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.
COMPENSATION
$82,000 – $95,000 per annum (commensurate with education and experience).
The University of Nebraska offers a comprehensive benefits package in line with other major universities, including generous retirement, health coverage, educational perks, and a relocation stipend.
The position is based in Lincoln, Nebraska, where the cost of living is moderate.
This position requires an active on-site presence at Sheldon, subject to considerations according to workflow and extenuating factors.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply in confidence, submit the following materials via email to Suzanne Tan, Senior Search Consultant, Museum Search & Reference at SearchandRef@museum-search.com.
1) A letter expressing interest in this position and giving brief examples of past related experience
2) A résumé or C.V.
3) The names of three references with contact information
Submit application by October 11, 2024. Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis. References will not be contacted without prior authorization. Nominations are welcome. EO/EA employer.
For additional information visit: http://museum-search.com/open-searches/.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA–LINCOLN
Founded in 1869, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a public university with a total enrollment of approximately 25,000. It is part of the University of Nebraska system, which is governed by a board of regents whose members are elected by Nebraska voters. It serves as both the land-grant and the comprehensive public university for the State of Nebraska, establishing a campus which has evolved to become the flagship campus of the University of Nebraska system.
Through its three primary missions of teaching, research, and service, the university is the state’s primary intellectual center, providing leadership throughout the state through quality education and the generation of new knowledge. It is organized into nine colleges: Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Architecture, Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, Engineering, Fine and Performing Arts, Journalism and Mass Communications, and Law. The university offers more than two hundred degrees across its undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. The school also offers programs through the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry and College of Nursing, and the Peter Kiewit Institute. University graduates, faculty, and staff are major contributors to the economic and cultural development of the state. Many teaching, research, and service activities have an international dimension, providing its students and the state a significant global perspective.
ABOUT LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
Lincoln is the capital of Nebraska. The city covers 100.4 square miles and had a population of 294,757 in 2023. It is the state's second-most populous city. Lincoln is the economic and cultural anchor of a substantially larger southeastern Nebraska metropolitan area, home to 361,921 people. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is the state’s largest university, with nearly 25,000 students, and is the city's third-largest employer. Other primary employers fall into the service and manufacturing industries, including a growing high-tech sector. The region falls in the greater Midwest Silicon Prairie.
Designated a "refugee-friendly" city by the U.S. Department of State in the 1970s, Lincoln was the 12th-largest resettlement site per capita in the country by 2000. Refugee Vietnamese, Karen (Burmese ethnic minority), Sudaneseand Yazidi (Iraqi ethnic minority) people, as well as refugees from Iraq, the Middle East and Afghanistan have resettled in the city. During the 2018–19 school year, Lincoln Public Schools provided support for about 3,000 students from 150 countries, who spoke 125 different languages. As such, Lincoln boasts an unexpected diversity in its population and its community is surprisingly global.
Regarded as family friendly, community-centric, safe, and affordable, it has been stated that Lincoln is what happens when Midwest friendliness meets big city innovation. Filled with rapidly expanding tech companies, active arts scenes and cultural communities, it's a city that encourages growth. Pinnacle Bank Arena routinely hosts major touring acts as well as local and national sports teams, including Husker men's and women's basketball. The arena is part of the Railyard entertainment district, which connects to the Historic Haymarket, host to world-class cuisine, dynamic urban nightlife, and fun family activities. The university’s City Campus is adjacent to downtown Lincoln, from which these attractions are within walking distance. Lincoln's 6,000 acres of parkland is higher per capita than Austin, Portland, and all but a handful of U.S. cities. The well-manicured Pioneers Park, the native woods of Wilderness Park, and the open grassland of Nine-Mile Prairie are each within a 10-minute trip from campus. Over 130 miles of trails connect with other points in the city. Omaha is just an hour away, and other cities within driving distance include Kansas City, Chicago, Des Moines, and Denver.
