Chief Curator

Overview

The Colby College Museum of Art, located in Waterville, Maine, seeks an experienced, visionary, and highly collaborative Chief Curator to join the Museum’s senior leadership team. They will establish and direct curatorial strategy at a time of institutional transformation, develop and steward the Museum’s art collection, and lead an ambitious staff of five while contributing to the overall vitality of the museum.

The role of Chief Curator presents an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of one of the nation’s leading academic museums. Its distinguished collection comprises more than 10,000 artworks representing the full breadth and complexity of American art, as well as works by international artists from antiquity to the present. By supporting research, organizing exhibitions and displays of its collection, and convening a diversity of people and perspectives, the Museum incubates art scholarship and practice to explore and expand how the idea of America is understood and how art is made, interpreted, and shared.

• Curatorial Vision Envision a long-term Museum exhibition program and collaboratively develop an innovative model for the care of and access to its collection.
• Leadership Mentor the next generation of art curators and scholars, inspiring and motivating the curatorial team and shaping their contribution to the Museum’s artistic, research, and interpretive vision.
• Collection Development Strengthen the collection through a mission-aligned acquisitions strategy and cultivate donations from artists and collectors.
• Relationship Building Inspire and connect with stakeholders across the Museum, the College, local communities, and a global network of American and contemporary art scholars and garner support for the museum’s initiatives.

The Chief Curator will partner with the Museum Director, balancing creative vision with day‑to‑day team and project management. They will lead development of a visionary and sustainable multiyear exhibition schedule, including traveling shows, in collaboration with Museum leadership. With input from the Board’s Collections and Impact Committee, they will guide the Museum’s collection development strategy, ensuring the ongoing documentation and care of the collection with the Collections team.

They will work with the Engagement team to develop accessible interpretive approaches and support fundraising efforts with the Advancement team. The Chief Curator also collaborates with the Lunder Institute for American Art on mission‑aligned fellowships, programs, and research initiatives. In addition, they will curate select exhibitions and publications and contribute original scholarship.

• Advise the director, model institutional values and missional alignment, lead special projects, and communicate Colby College’s and the Colby Museum’s institutional priorities to staff and stakeholders.
• Define and implement a curatorial vision grounded in the Museum’s context, the art field, and larger questions in contemporary life, ensuring the continued relevance of the artistic program and prioritizing engagement with constituencies and communities.
• Manage and mentor staff with clarity and purpose, fostering a collaborative and high‑performing work environment.
• Build and maintain relationships with artists, collectors, dealers, and donors, representing the Museum locally, nationally, and internationally as an advocate for the arts and the College’s mission.
• Develop and refine effective and collaborative processes for curatorial work.
• Collaborate with exhibition and senior leaders on annual and multiyear budgets and contracts, ensuring transparency and maximizing resources for academic and public benefit.
• In keeping with Colby’s values, model and encourage self‑awareness in matters of equity and access. Support staff learning and professional growth.

• Develop and execute the long‑term strategy for the Museum’s collection, ensuring its excellence and distinction. Set policies and practices in collaboration with key staff and with guidance from…