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Job Details:

The Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art leads one of the Blanton Museum's key curatorial areas and is an important part of the senior management team, reporting to the Chief Curator and Deputy Director of Collections. The position will oversee research, exhibitions, collecting strategy, and rotating gallery displays in all areas of international and American modern and contemporary art (excluding Latin American art). Work closely with a small, collaborative team, and especially with the curators of Latin American Art and of Prints and Drawings, areas which have significant overlap.

Purpose

The Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art advances the Blanton’s mission by shaping a dynamic program of exhibitions, installations, and commissions drawn from the collection, loans, and new work. This role builds and sustains relationships with artists, scholars, and institutions nationally and internationally, while fostering collaboration across the museum and university. The curator leads research, interpretation, and public engagement initiatives that deepen understanding of modern and contemporary art and expand its impact. Working closely with colleagues, the curator contributes to collection development, fundraising, and strategic planning in support of the museum’s long-term goals.

Responsibilities

Exhibition Development & Management

• Organize exhibitions and installations using collection objects, loans, and commissions.

• Lead development of exhibition concepts, tours, and co-produced projects in collaboration with curatorial colleagues and external partners.

Collection Strategy & Stewardship

• Define and implement a vision for the modern and contemporary art collection.

• Recommend and secure acquisitions and collaborate with collections staff on conservation strategies. 

External Relations & Institutional Partnerships

• Build relationships with artists and national/international institutions.

• Solicit and secure loans and externally generated exhibitions and represent the museum in collaborative initiatives that advance its mission.

Interpretation, Education & Public Programs

• Develop interpretive strategies and materials

• Partner with Education and Academic Affairs to create programs, train docents and gallery assistants, and support public engagement with modern and contemporary art.

Research, Scholarship & Publications

• Conduct original research on the collection and contribute to exhibitions, programs, and publications.

• Supervise guest curators, visiting scholars, interns, and student researchers.

Academic Engagement, Fundraising & Administration

• Promote use of the collection in teaching and engage with the academic community.

• Support fundraising efforts, including donor cultivation and proposals, and manage related budgets, records, and intern supervision.

Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in art history or related field, or a bachelor’s degree with equivalent professional experience.

• At least seven years of museum experience with a strong record of publications, public presentations, and active participation in the national or international art community.

• Deep knowledge of American and international modern and contemporary art.

• Demonstrated excellence in scholarship, writing, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

• Proven ability to manage budgets and experience in fundraising, including cultivating donors and securing grants from foundation and government sources.

• Strong professional relationships across the field, including artists, collectors, gallerists, writers, scholars, and museum colleagues.

• Collaborative and collegial approach, with the ability to work effectively across departments to advance institutional goals.

• Demonstrated integrity and professional judgment in all areas of work.

• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, from students and the public to scholars and specialists.

Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in art history or a closely related discipline

• Specialized expertise in a particular area of modern or contemporary art

• Successful record of acquiring works through gifts or purchases

• Knowledge of museum collection management systems and digital collections initiatives

Salary Range

$100,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Standard office conditions

• Combination of sitting and standing

• Repetitive keyboard use

• Occasional evenings and weekends

• Some travel

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• Letter of interest

• 3 work references with their contact information including email addresses; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Importantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.