St. Louis Mercantile Library Endowed Curator of Art and Research Professor

Hiring Department

St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri - St.Louis (UMSL)

The St. Louis Mercantile Library, a two-centuries old researchlibrary and art center with deep collections in the humanities, at the University of Missouri – St. Louis is seeking an experienced,enthusiastic, curatorial professional with a passion for regionalart for the role of Curator of Fine Art and Research Professor. The Mercantile Library is the only institution in the state whose primary art collecting mission is dedicated to Missouri art, whilealso holding extensive collections in regional and Americanpaintings, prints, drawings, sculpture, artists’ archives, and artifacts.

This full-time, benefit-eligible position reports to the Mercantile Library’s Executive Director and is responsible for building,preserving, exhibiting and interpreting the Mercantile Library’shistoric fine art collection. The curator is part of a dynamic teamof professionals and exercises extensive advisory board contact and supervisory duties. The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, be a systematic, meticulous, patient,self-starter who works well under pressure, manages time efficiently, analyzes and solves problems independently and if necessary, collaboratively, and can be flexible and embrace changeswithin this position due to departmental priorities.

This is aNon-Tenure Track Faculty position with an annual salary range of $55,000 - $65,000.

• Advise on additions to the Fine Art collection in accordance withthe Collections Development Plan.
• Oversee all aspects of care of the Fine Art Collections.
• Research, develop and oversee installation of exhibitions of theart collection to include artwork selection, writing scholarly andinterpretive text, and supporting opening receptions, and programming.
• Engage in collections-based scholarship to be published inexhibition catalogues or scholarly journals as well as in lectures,symposia, and conference presentations.
• Develop and maintain professional affiliations with curatorialcolleagues at other institutions and attend and present at conferences and professional events on behalf of the Mercantile Library.
• Cultivate long-term relationships with donors, collectors,scholars, established and emerging local artists, and art dealersto attract and secure works of art, collections and acquisitionfunds.
• Provide exhibition support to the director and other curators asneeded.
• Aid library staff, visiting scholars and the public withcollection-related questions; answer research requests and correspondence related to the collections.
• Supervise the Assistant Curator and Graduate Research Assistants.
• Oversee and take part in the volunteer docent training program.
  
  Oversee and assist in training student workers and art-collectionvolunteers.
• Advise the Assistant Curator for Fine Art Collections in their capacity as Coordinator of University Exhibits and Collections.
• Oversee the digitization and Rights/Reproductions request for Fine Art Collection materials, with the support of the Assistant Curator.
• Prepare and present off-site outreach lectures to promote the Library.
• Effectively communicate with team members and other members of the university community, while contributing to and sustaining apositive and supportive workplace.
• Adhere to the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of Missouri System.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Master’s Degree in art history or a BA in Art History and aMaster’s degree in a related field or library science from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum 5 years’ curatorial experience working with art collection sin a library, museum or university art gallery, showing increasinglevels of responsibility and demonstrated proficiency in areas ofart historical scholarship, connoisseurship, acquisitions,exhibition design and execution, staff supervision, and donor relations.
• Exemplary writing skills, compelling public speaking presence, and excellent oral communication skills, as well as strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to build and sustain…