Curatorial Research Associate

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston seeks a Curatorial Research Associate, offered through the support of the Henry Luce Foundation’s American Art Program, to work under the direction of the Art of the Americas Chair, aiding with the research, administration, evaluation, and implementation related to the Henry Luce Foundation’s American Art Program Collections and Curatorial Training Pilot.

The Henry Luce Foundation has recently awarded the MFA a three-year Responsive Grant in support of the study, installation, and programming of under-utilized collections of art from the United States. This program will be framed as three sequential, one-year exhibitions that delve into the Art of the Americas permanent collection. Focusing on the period from 1876 with the nation’s Centennial and the opening of the MFA, to about 1955 with the aftermath of the Second World War, the three Pilot Exhibitions scheduled for FY ’18, ’19, and ’20, address critical themes in American history and the formation of a modern American identity. Exhibitions will highlight the MFA’s collections of Native American art, design objects from the interwar period, and paintings and sculpture produced between 1945 and 1955. All three Pilot Exhibitions will explore the multiplicity of voices that create American art and culture, giving special attention to how those voices have been represented in the past and how we can change perceptions of these collections within the museum context today.

As part of the Henry Luce Foundation’s commitment to education and professional training within the curatorial field, this grant will also fund a rising historian of American art to act as Curatorial Research Associate, carrying out exhibition projects under the guidance of the department chair. This position is a rare opportunity to work with a broad range of media including decorative arts, paintings, and sculpture. The candidate’s work will be divided between the three specific projects, working closely with the different curators for each. It will require the flexibility not only to work across different fields of study but to assist with exhibitions in various stages of completion. Administrative tasks and research will be combined with exposure to the MFA teams charged with exhibition preparation, design, and installation. The candidate will be challenged to think expansively and offer creative ideas for integrative exhibition displays.

We are honored to have this opportunity to explore the diversity of our permanent collections, build our curatorial team, and engage deeply with our audiences through innovative displays and programs.

This full-time position is fully funded for 36 months and begins with an appointment of 18 months, with an opportunity to renew for 18 months.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

• Advanced degree in art history (Ph.D. preferred) or equivalent related experience, demonstrating scholarly ability in the field of art history through publications, conference papers, and other activities.

• In-depth experience in art history of the United States from the period 1876 through 1955, preferably with experience that has advanced scholarship and connected visitors in engaging ways.

• Committed to collaboration with others to achieve the best outcome, the successful candidate is an excellent and timely decision maker able to move plans and objectives forward.

• Strong sense of accountability for achieving stated objectives and demonstrable experience doing so.

Personal Qualities and Attributes:

• Intellectually rigorous

• Inspirational, passionate, curious

• Resilient, with a healthy approach to work/life balance

• Generous of spirit, a team player able to interact successfully with a wide range of people at different levels of the Museum

• Superior judgment, tact and diplomacy, with good organizational skills

• Exceptional verbal and written communication, with demonstrated presentation skills

• Proven ability to effectively and efficiently manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines

Application materials are being accepted immediately, and we will begin interviews as appropriate candidates apply. For consideration, please submit a letter of interest, résumé/c.v., and two writing samples (one prepared for a scholarly audience; the other for the museum audience) to: resumes@mfa.org. You may also submit your materials via postal mail to: Human Resources Department, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

The MFA is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from diverse candidates.