Curator

The Computer History Museum (CHM) is the world's leading institution exploring the history and ongoing impact of computing. Through collections, exhibitions, programs, publications, and digital experiences, CHM preserves and shares the stories of the people, technologies, and ideas that have shaped our world.

We are seeking an intellectually curious, entrepreneurial, and highly collaborative curator to help document, preserve, and interpret the history of computing, with particular emphasis on developments from the last 25 years and their impact on society. Reporting to the Director of Curatorial Affairs, this role combines collecting, exhibition development, and public engagement. This role combines collecting, exhibition development, and public engagement.

The Curator will serve as a subject-matter expert on the history of computing and its societal implications, helping CHM identify and preserve significant stories, artifacts, and archives. They will also contribute across the full spectrum of museum activities, including collecting, oral histories, exhibitions, digital content, public programs, media engagement, and VIP engagement.

This role requires both a knowledge of the breadth of computing history and an ability to engage effectively with industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, journalists, donors, and museum audiences.

The initial focus for the curator will be contemporary history, that is, developments from the last 25 years to the present.

• Lead or contribute to the development of permanent, temporary, and online exhibitions.
• Research, write, and interpret historical content for diverse audiences.
• Translate complex technological subjects into engaging, accessible stories.
• Work closely with exhibit developers, exhibit designers, media producers, educators, and external partners throughout the exhibition development process.

• Develop digital content, like timelines, blogs, collection features, online exhibitions, videos, and educational resources.
• Contribute subject expertise to CHM's website, social media, publications, and digital initiatives.
• Support the development of computing applications that expand access to CHM's collections and interpretive products.
• Participate in public programs, panels, interviews, podcasts, and community engagement activities.

• Identify, evaluate, and pursue acquisitions of historically significant artifacts, archives, software, born-digital materials, and corporate records.
• Build and maintain relationships broadly to develop collecting opportunities and secure significant donations.
• Conduct research and documentation to establish provenance, significance, and historical context for collections.
• Initiate and conduct oral history interviews with diverse figures from the broad history of computing, including influential innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry leaders.
• Collaborate with curators, collections and archival staff to advance acquisitions and stewardship activities.
• Help identify technologies and trends that should be documented before they are lost to history.

• Serve as a museum ambassador for donors, industry leaders, government officials, researchers, and media.
• Lead tours and presentations for VIP guests and special audiences.
• Work with docents to create compelling tours for the public.
• Represent CHM at industry conferences, academic gatherings, and professional events.
• Support media inquiries and serve as a knowledgeable spokesperson on relevant topics when appropriate.
• Help cultivate relationships that advance CHM's collecting, exhibition, educational, and fundraising goals.

• Monitor emerging developments in computing, artificial intelligence, software, networking, robotics, digital culture, and related fields.
• Help shape museum priorities for collecting and interpretation in rapidly evolving areas.
• Contribute to long‑range curatorial planning and institutional strategy.
• Work collaboratively across departments to advance CHM's mission and public impact.
• Possesses deep expertise in the history of computing, particularly developments from the late 1990s to the present.
• Understands the intersection of technology and society, including the cultural, economic, political, and ethical implications of computing.
• Builds trust and maintains strong relationships across technical, academic,…