Curator

• Location 120 6TH AVE N STE 100,Seattle, WA, ,United States

Job Title:

Curator

Reports to:

Associate Director, Curatorial

Department:
Curatorial

Supervises:
Does not supervise others

Work Schedule:

40 hours per week, 5 days per week, hybrid work eligible. This role may require some evening and weekend work and travel.

Salary: $85,000 - $90,000 per year

The Curator develops and supports exhibitions, gallery-based initiatives, and interpretive experiences in support of MOPOP’s mission and exhibition program. Working collaboratively across departments, this role is responsible for the research, development, implementation, maintenance, and long-term continuity of assigned exhibitions and curatorial initiatives.

• Develop and support assigned exhibitions and curatorial initiatives from concept through post-opening continuity
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on exhibition layout, interpretive strategy, visitor engagement, media integration, graphic approach, and aesthetic direction
• Write and develop exhibition content including labels, didactic text, presentations, digital content, audio guides, interactives, and interpretive materials
• Generate exhibition concepts, themes, goals, and curatorial presentation materials for gallery and digital experiences
• Coordinate artifact rotations, gallery updates, media refreshes, and exhibition continuity initiatives in partnership with Curatorial, Collections, Design, Exhibits, and Exhibition Project Management teams
• Participate in exhibition installation, deinstallation, and gallery implementation activities as needed
• Lead or support select pop-up exhibitions, gallery initiatives, and special projects annually

• Minimum of 5–8 years of curatorial, exhibition development, or related museum experience
• Demonstrated experience developing exhibitions, interpretive content, and visitor-centered storytelling initiatives
• Strong knowledge of exhibition development, interpretive planning, media integration, and museum standards
• Experience conducting research and developing scholarship related to popular culture and museum exhibitions
• Excellent writing, communication, presentation, collaboration, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced collaborative environment
• Experience collaborating with artists, collectors, estates, community partners, venues, contractors, and cross-functional teams
• Commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and audience-centered engagement
• Experience with media-integrated exhibitions, digital storytelling, and interactive experiences
• Familiarity with collections management systems, exhibition development tools, and digital interpretation platforms
• Broad knowledge of popular culture including music, film, gaming, fashion, science fiction, fantasy, horror, fandom, and social movements
• Master’s degree or PhD in Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies, Art History, History, Film Studies, Literature, Musicology, or a related field preferred

This full-time position includes Medical/Vision insurance, Dental insurance, 3.08 hours of accrued Vacation per bi-weekly pay period, Seattle Sick/Safe, up to 8 Company Holidays paid throughout the year, EAP, 401k plan with vested match schedule once eligible, and subsidized transportation benefits for Orca Pass or parking.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe that having staff, interns, and volunteers with diverse backgrounds enables us to better meet our mission and encourage BIPOC, women, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals to apply. We acknowledge that our work to build safe spaces and better systems for traditionally marginalized groups is ongoing and will require constant vigilance and expect all MOPOP employees to be part of our DEIA journey.