The Whitney Museum of American Art collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits art of the United States in the broadest global, historical and interdisciplinary contexts. We value diversity in every aspect of our mission, starting with the art collection we build and preserve and extending to the histories we write through exhibitions and programs, the audiences who engage with the museum, and the staff whose voices and experiences shape our work. We foster the work of living artists at critical moments in their careers, often before their work has achieved broader recognition. The Whitney believes in the power of art and artists to shape lives and communities, and strives to be as experimental, responsive, and risk-taking as the artists with whom we work.Reporting to the Nancy and Steve Crown Family Chief Curator, the Steven and Ann Ames Curator of Drawings and Prints oversees the museum's collection of drawings and prints and leads the Drawing and Print Committee, the Whitney's patron group dedicated to acquisitions of works on paper. Alongside this work, the curator will propose and organize collection displays and loan exhibitions, including the writing and preparation of accompanying scholarly publications and didactic materials, and develop ways to interpret artworks through exhibitions, publications, events, and digital channels. Although the incumbent will have primary responsibility for the direction of the museum's drawings and prints collection from 1900 to the present, their work will not be limited to this medium exclusively, since members of the Whitney's curatorial team work broadly across mediums and disciplines. Throughout their day-to-day activities, the Steven and Ann Ames Curator of Drawings and Prints will work closely with fellow members of the curatorial team and collaborate with colleagues across other departments, in particular Conservation, Education, Exhibitions and Collections Management, Publications, Advancement, and Research Resources.
Responsibilities:
- Grow and evolve the museum's collection of over 15,000 drawings and prints through purchases, gifts, and fundraising efforts
- Oversee the Whitney's Drawing and Print Committee, including stewardship of patron relationships and cultivation of members
- Propose and curate loan exhibitions and collection displays, in any medium
- Participate in digital strategy and initiatives relating to the collection and program
- Collaboratively shape the scholarly program and research functions of the museum's Sondra Gilman Study Center for works on paper with the Sondra Gilman Curator of Photography; facilitate opportunities for artists, scholars, and other interested parties to access the collection
- Approve loans; serve on the museum's Replication Committee; participate in and/or lead cross-departmental working groups on a variety of topics related to the collection
- Cultivate external relationships with artists, trustees, patron groups, members of the press, and colleagues at other institutions
- Represent the museum within the scholarly community through participation in panels, symposia, and other forums, as well as connect with broader audiences
- Undertake special research projects, including for the collection and acquisitions as needed
- Supervise and mentor curatorial assistants, fellows, and interns
Requirements:
- M.A. in art history, Ph.D. preferred
- 10 years of experience, including a distinguished record of exhibitions, publications, and acquisitions in the field
- Extensive scholarship in the field of modern and contemporary art in the United States with particular expertise in works on paper from 1900 to the present.
Compensation & Benefits:
- Pay range of $125,000 to $140,000 per annum, commensurate with experience
- Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(B) elections
- Generous PTO benefits
- Commuter benefits - parking and mass transit
- Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally
- Pet insurance and discounted membership for Citibike
The advertised pay range is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you're new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.
About the WhitneyThe Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney's mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.
EEO StatementThe Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.