Job Listing: Curator

South Boston Halifax County Museum of History & Fine Arts - South Boston, VA

Closes - open until filled

Position Title - Museum of History Curator

Compensation - $40,000 and benefits

Job Type - full-time

Apply - Send resume to: Attention: Executive Director at info@sbhcmuseum.org. For additional information, contact the museum at 434-572-9200 or email info@sbhcmuseum.com.

Summary - The South Boston Halifax County Museum of History and Fine Arts has an opening for a CURATOR. This is a full-time position. Starting salary is $40,000 and includes benefits.  Responsibilities include managing and preserving the collections; acquisition, cataloging, and display of artifacts, as well as the development of educational programs and exhibits.  Performs research; gives presentations and conducts educational tours.  Must have experience with Past Perfect data entry and records. Provides support to other staff members and volunteers.  Grant writing and fundraising skills are a must.  Good communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for history are essential qualities for this role. 

This is a senior position at the museum with major administrative and curatorial responsibilities. Acts as a liaison with the local and regional and state historical and archeological community. May act in responsible charge in the director’s absence.

Job Responsibilities -

• Provide overall direction and leadership to the museum executive committee in the field of history and archeology.
• Coordinate the exhibits, design, content, artifacts, funding and implementing that reflect professional standards and best practices as set forth by the American Alliance of Museums.
• Develop and implement a plan to catalog and evaluate the museum’s collections. Train and supervise volunteers and interns in carrying out this plan. The museum uses Past-Perfect 5.0 to catalog its collections.
• Independently prepare grant proposals and project proposals and work with local corporations with funding requests.
• Write, edit and assist with programmatic material related to exhibits, museum events, education, publications and public relations.
• Maintain a liaison and current knowledge of the local, regional and state cultural community and activities in order to take advantage of cooperative opportunities and new developments in exhibits and programming.
• Carry out special assigned duties that support the museum’s mission.

Qualifications - 

• Management skills including supervisory, problem –solving, decision-making, planning and organizing, adaptability, flexibility and time management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for working with others, community organizations and the public.
• Proven knowledge of exhibit curatorial techniques, exhibit design, exhibit management processes for handling, preservation, as well as sources of current knowledge in the field.
• Office and computer skills sufficient to function in a professional role.
• Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Visual acuity: color perception, close vision, accurate depth perception and distance vision;
• Very frequent sitting, standing and walking;
• Frequent lifting of up to 20 pounds, pushing and pulling, keyboarding and gripping;
• Occasional balancing, lifting up to 40 pounds, reaching overhead, climbing ladders and stairs and driving a car or utility truck.
• Bachelor’s degree in History, Archeology, Museum Studies or related field, with at least two (2) years of experience in museum work.
• A combination of education and experience and training that provides the applicant with the knowledge and skills to perform position.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Be able to work with a diverse age group of volunteers with various degrees of education and experience.
• Valid Virginia State driver license and a good driving record. Must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire.
• Must pass a Virginia State Adult/Child Abuse records check prior to hire.

About the museum - The South Boston/Halifax County Museum of Fine Arts and History is operated for the collection, exhibition and preservation of antiques, works of art, books and physical items which are historically significant to the past, present and future heritage of South Boston, Halifax County and adjoining counties. The museum provides educational materials and opportunities for youth, adults and senior citizens. It further performs and encourages research of this area and publishes, exhibits and preserves the results of such research.