Henry Luce Curatorial Fellow in American Art

Located in Lewiston, Maine, Bates is internationally recognized as a leading liberal arts college. We are proud to offer a highly personalized education that centers on deep and sustained interactions among students, faculty, and community. We are engaging the forces — intellectual trends, demographic changes, and technology — that are transforming higher education and the world into which our students graduate.

The Henry Luce Curatorial Fellow in American Art is a three-year position designed to provide an advanced scholar of American art with comprehensive, hands-on professional experience in curation, education, scholarship, and stewardship. Reporting directly to the Director of Bates College Museum of Art and serving as a member of the curatorial team, the Fellow builds the Museum’s capacity during a period of momentum and growth.

The role focuses on researching the permanent collection, organizing exhibitions, and fostering deep curricular integration with college faculty and students. The Fellow is a dedicated steward of the Marsden Hartley Memorial Collection and the Marsden Hartley Legacy Project, spearheading public-facing scholarly initiatives that engage both the campus community and global audiences.

• Utilize the permanent collection to create creative programming that connects local audiences and global art communities to the Museum.
• Contribute to the organization of annual rotations of the permanent collection.
• Generate innovative proposals for temporary exhibitions centered on the Museum’s American art holdings.
• Research the permanent collection within the scope of American art to identify strengths, evaluate weaknesses, and provide strategic recommendations for targeted future acquisitions and growth.
• Conduct proactive outreach to college faculty, particularly those new to utilizing the Museum, to review syllabi and recommend relevant objects to enrich course curriculum.
• Facilitate hands-on learning encounters, lead exhibition tours, and coordinate class visits within the Synergy Study Gallery.
• Research, promote, and critically engage with the Marsden Hartley Memorial Collection and the Marsden Hartley Legacy Project, building upon foundational grant funding.
• Lead and execute advanced, project-based scholarly outputs focused on the legacy of Marsden Hartley, including publications, symposia, workshops, exhibitions, or artist-in-residence programs.
• Work closely with the Education Curator and Assistant Education Curator to propose public programming related to the Fellow's areas of expertise.
• Act as a visible advocate for the Museum on campus and throughout the region, building partnerships that champion the tangible value of museums in higher education.

Education

M.A. in Art History, American Studies, or a related field. Ph.D. is a plus.

Experience

• Experience in and ongoing commitment to object-based research
• Experience working in museums or galleries preferred

Skills and Knowledge

• Commitment to fostering engagement with original works of art in a college setting; work with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and museum visitors on a daily basis.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Be self-motivated and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously; ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community.

Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, 9% retirement contribution with potential for an additional 3% match, sick leave, 24 days of vacation, 2 personal days, 13 paid holidays, dependent care subsidy, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities & more), and a supportive, collegial environment in a drug and smoke-free workplace.

The hiring salary for this position is $60,000.

Bates College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity and providing an educational and work environment free from discrimination. The…