Job Listing: Curator of Collections and Exhibitions

Name of Organization – Museums at Washington & Lee University

Lexington, VA

Closes – Until Filled

Title – Curator of Collections and Exhibitions

Compensation – Minimum Pay: $71,761.00 - Pay Commensurate with Experience

Type – Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible 

Apply – Review of applications will begin October 21 and continue until the position is filled.  A resume and cover letter are required. Please upload these documents when prompted on the application form. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references.

Application instructions and information about Washington and Lee University can be located at https://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities.

Summary – Under the supervision of the Director of Institutional History Museums, The Curator of Collections and Exhibitions (CCE) is responsible for providing primary curatorial and exhibition management for Washington and Lee University’s Institutional History Museum, which is made up of the University Chapel and Galleries, the Washington Hall Gallery, and the future Institutional History Museum. The position entails research and care of the museum’s collections and the planning/implementation of exhibitions within the museum.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Visit jobs.wlu.edu to learn more about working at W&L, our benefits, community, and living in the area.

Responsibilities – 

• Perform registration (recordkeeping), research, and care/handling work to maintain complete, accurate, and up-to-date records and to ensure the physical welfare of the objects within the collection.

• Manage the digital collections database to ensure accuracy, completeness, and public access.

• Oversee collections storage areas and maintain them in good order.

• Work collaboratively with other museum staff and affiliated stakeholders to determine the suitability and feasibility of incoming accession materials in keeping with the museum’s mission.

• Oversee exhibition galleries and other display spaces and maintain them in good order.

• Work collaboratively with museum staff and relevant stakeholders to develop and facilitate exhibitions, including short-term displays and long-term installations.

• Write exhibition copy, labels, scripts, articles, blogs, and other texts as required to support the collection.

• Maintain records pertinent to exhibitions (e.g., loan forms, facility reports).

• Assist the director and related departments in targeting grants, private funding, and non-traditional collection support.

• Respond to research inquiries.

• Give gallery tours and assist with programs and special events as needed.

• Provide training to museums staff on interpretation of collections and participate in professional development opportunities and continuing education.

• May be required to perform a variety of duties in support of high-level organizational projects, as a back-up to other staff, or in response to weather-related and other emergencies.

• Assist the director and related departments in targeting grants, private funding, and non-traditional programming support.

• This position may supervise one other staff member, as well as volunteers and interns.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications – 

• Master’s degree in History, Museum Studies, Public History, or similar discipline. 5 or more years’ experience working in a museum environment or similar environment

• Demonstrated expertise applicable museum practices, including collections management

• Program management; Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills

• Highly self-motivated, team player

• Innovative and creative thinking

• Must be detail-oriented and able to multi-task

• Must be able to exercise clear communication on a daily basis to all stakeholders

• Must have thorough knowledge and high comfort level in working with collections management software, MS Office, and Outlook Calendar for scheduling events and sharing information

• Experience in the development and implementation of exhibitions and related programming

About – Washington and Lee is a top-ranked, private institution in Lexington, Virginia, where we integrate the rigorous inquiry and critical thinking of a liberal arts curriculum with nationally accredited undergraduate programs in business and journalism, and a graduate School of Law.