Glasser Curator

TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART AND HISTORIC BLOCK 

JOB DESCRIPTION | EOE

POSITION: Glasser Curator 

STATUS: Full-time Salaried, Exempt. Monday through Friday; hours may vary to include special events and activities in the evenings and on weekends related to this position.

REPORTS TO: Chief of Curatorial and Convergent Practice

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Glasser Curator originates, develops, and presents innovative research and new Museum projects focused on art of the American West, American Art, and the permanent collection. Reporting to the Chief of Curatorial and Convergent Practice, the position is focused on the engagement and stewardship of TMA’s permanent collection of over 10,000 works and collaborates in assessing, refining, and administering the collection management policy, the strategic collecting plan, and content for the collection management system. The Glasser Curator works to create and co-create relevant exhibitions, inclusive interpretation, and meaningful experiences with art that are rooted in TMA’s unique mission and longstanding commitment to its communities. Contributing to a culture of philanthropy in the institution, the position is an active participant in supporting the Museum’s advancement initiatives—such as grant writing, cases for support, cultivation and fundraising events, and communications—and serves as the primary liaison to the Western Art Patrons affinity group. The Glasser Curator informs department goal setting in alignment with TMA’s strategic plan and institutional priorities, ensures effective workflows and highly organized projects, and contributes to a collaborative and vibrant workplace culture.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Collection Engagement and Stewardship

• Serve as primary liaison to Museum staff, stakeholders, external researchers, and the public regarding the content of and research on the permanent collection, providing information and counsel as needed.
• Expand, refine, and conduct research on the permanent collection.
• Evaluate, implement, and adhere to TMA’s collection management policy, and participate in the creation and administration of a comprehensive and evolving strategic collecting plan.
• Make recommendations regarding object conservation, policies, and procedures related to collections management and care, and data entry for the collections management system.
• Contribute curatorial insight to collection-oriented initiatives and routine inventories.
• Work in concert with the Director of Collections and Registration to prepare new acquisition justifications and other documentation for the Collections Committee.

Content Development, Management, and Collaboration

• In concert with the Chief of Curatorial and Convergent Practice, develop and maintain long-term strategies and a multi-year exhibition calendar for permanent, feature, rotating, and traveling exhibitions and other special projects.
• Originate, develop, and present new research, exhibitions and interpretive materials, publications, and other content formats focused on art of the American West and of North America more broadly.
• Curate and co-curate exhibitions and rotations of TMA’s permanent collection, with particular emphasis on expanding historical narratives, engaging communities, and amplifying living artists and creatives.
• Guide the planning and organization of select traveling or guest-curated exhibitions.
• Operate as project manager to select exhibitions and permanent collection rotations.
• Support initiatives that integrate curatorial content with education and engagement programming and partnerships, in alignment with TMA’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. 
• Provide interpretive and learning materials and/or presentations to staff, interns, volunteers, and docents performing work related to current or upcoming exhibitions.
• Advance linguistic access through the co-development and implementation of translation timelines, best practices, and interpretive and design alignment across TMA’s bilingual initiatives and project-specific multilingual needs.

Administration and Fundraising

• In collaboration with Executive Leadership, participate in developing and tracking of collection, exhibition, and curatorial budgets.
• Manage the curatorial staff inbox and route communications as needed.
• Together with the Chief of Curatorial and Convergent Practice and the Advancement team, identify and secure funding sources including but not limited to grants, members and donors, corporations, and other partners.
• Serve as liaison to the Western Art Patrons, strengthening the relationship between the affinity group and TMA’s strategic priorities, supporting communications and advising on resource allocations, and maintaining professional standards in cultivation strategies.
• Represent the museum locally and nationally, cultivating positive relationships with artists, curators, gallerists, arts and culture organizations, and communities.
• Contribute to a convergent organizational culture grounded in professionalism, mutual respect, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Perform other related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS/COMPETENCIES:

• MA or PhD in art history or the equivalent in a related field and at least seven years of prior museum-related work experience.
• Considerable knowledge of art of the American West and of North America more broadly.
• Knowledge of professional collections management standards, policies, and legal and ethical practices, and the care, handling, and preservation of museum objects.
• Familiarity with best practices and approaches to provenance research, with special knowledge and understanding of AAM standards and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).
• Ability and desire to engage diverse audiences and stakeholders, from community members to artists and trustees, and promote the expansion of the histories and representation of art and artists.
• Experience in conducting research on subjects related to the museum’s collections and temporary exhibitions.
• Experience in researching and writing grant proposals and cases for support for exhibitions, publications, and other related museum areas.
• Ability to set and meet deadlines, strategically navigate competing priorities, and manage long-term and short-term projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to manage complex situations with agility, flexibility, and professional courtesy and discretion. 
• Proven ability to work effectively independently, in a team environment, and collaborating across organizational structures; dedicated to fostering a workplace of belonging. 

Application Materials: 

• Cover letter outlining your interest in the position 

• Resume or curriculum vitae 

ABOUT THE TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART

At the Tucson Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody, promote, and uphold our organizational values and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Plan. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. The IDEA Plan’s principles of relevancy, community, respect and multivocality are at the heart of the museum’s collection, exhibitions, programs, Board of Trustees, staff and volunteer groups.

Located in downtown Tucson, the Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block connects art to life through meaningful and engaging experiences that inspire discovery, spark creativity, and promote cultural understanding. A core value of the museum’s Strategic Plan is to ensure a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity and access. 

As a responsive, community-centered museum, we strive to represent, activate, and advocate for all Southern Arizona communities.