Chief Curator of Art

National Museum of Wildlife Art – Chief Curator of Art – Jackson, WY

The Chief Curator of Art provides artistic vision, intellectual leadership, and strategic direction for the Museum’s permanent collection, exhibition schedule, and related programming. They are an ambassador for the Museum and ensure that exhibitions, acquisitions, and interpretive materials not only meet the highest standards of scholarly and artistic excellence but also inspire visitors to connect with wildlife and the natural world, consistent with the Museum’s vision.

The Chief Curator at the National Museum of Wildlife Art is a seasoned art curator and member of the leadership team. They are an integral part of shaping the organization’s vision, priorities, and mission. Through leadership and collaboration, the Chief Curator supports acquisitions and develops exhibitions that center artists’ voices, lift up marginalized histories, and explore new perspectives. With a strong connection to local, state‑wide, and national arts communities, they lead the Museum’s exhibition development plan with a focus on the visitor experience.

They support the Museum’s continued efforts to foster meaningful relationships and open dialogue with the community, bringing relevant exhibitions to our visitors that enable the Museum to be a place for conversation, connection, and wonder. The Chief Curator works closely with their colleagues in education, development, programs and events, marketing, and other departments to enhance interpretive and educational content, support outreach, and strengthen the Museum’s impact both locally and across the Nation.

Welcome to the National Museum of Wildlife Art. The National Museum of Wildlife Art, founded in 1987, is a Jackson Hole museum holding more than 5,000 artworks representing wild animals from around the world. Featuring work by prominent artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Robert Kuhn, John James Audubon, and Carl Rungius, the Museum’s unsurpassed permanent collection chronicles much of the history of wildlife in art from 2500 B.C.E. to the present.

Built into a hillside overlooking the National Elk Refuge, the Museum received the designation “National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States” by order of Congress in 2008. Boasting a museum shop, interactive children’s gallery, Palate restaurant, and outdoor Sculpture Trail, the Museum is only two‑and‑a‑half miles north of Jackson Town Square, and two miles from the gateway of Grand Teton National Park.

Essential Functions:

• Lead the curatorial team in developing and executing a dynamic multi-year exhibition schedule.
• Develop clear strategies for managing the display, rotation, and growth of the permanent collection.
• Manage, mentor, and support the curatorial team.
• Represent the Museum within academic and artistic communities.
• Facilitate interdepartmental collaboration to build the Museum’s reputation and impact.
• Work collaboratively with advancement staff to inform fundraising strategies.
• Collaborate with the education department to develop and implement educational programs that support exhibitions and collection interpretation.

Exhibitions:

• Lead the conceptualization, planning, and execution of a dynamic, multi-year exhibition schedule that reflects the Museum’s designation as the National Museum of Wildlife Art of the United States, considering the unique wildlife and conservation issues of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, while also striving for innovative exhibitions with national appeal.
• Foster partnerships with local environmental organizations, wildlife scientists, and Native communities to enrich interpretive content and visitor experience.
• Ensure that exhibitions and interpretive materials are accessible, inclusive, and designed to engage visitors of diverse backgrounds, ages, abilities, and interests, sparking wonder and curiosity about wildlife and art.
• Demonstrate leadership in sustainable curatorial practices, reducing environmental impact, and promoting ethical stewardship of wildlife imagery and narratives.
• Author interpretive materials…