Curator of American Art

Curator of American Art

The Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State is seeking applicants for the position of Curator of American Art. The museum serves Penn State's land‑grant mission of teaching, research, and public service and stands strong in the values of relevancy, integrity, service, and engagement, guided by its mission, strategic goals, and core values. The Curator of American Art will help realize the museum’s vision to serve as a gateway that connects communities through art, stewarding the museum’s expansive collection of American art and exhibition program into the next phase of its history.

The Palmer Museum of Art is situated administratively in the College of Arts and Architecture. For more information on the museum please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The College of Arts & Architecture is working to establish a culture of anti‑racism and anti‑oppression that embraces individual identities, fosters a culture of inclusion, and promotes equity through curricula, values, standards, policies and practices. The ideal candidate will provide evidence of experience with, and interest in, contributing to these goals.

The Palmer Museum of Art is building on its significant American holdings as it enacts a new interpretive framework and community‑centered approach to the presentation of the collection, its interpretation and programs. The Curator of American Art lends a fresh perspective on the evolution of the museum’s collection of the art of the United States at a pivotal moment in its history with the opening of the new state‑of‑the‑art building in the Arboretum at Penn State.

As a significant content creator for the museum, the Curator of American Art aligns collection and exhibition development and programs with organizational goals, strategies, and mission; is an innovative interpreter of American art, history, society, and culture, and applies this to the presentation of the American collection; works collaboratively with museum staff and leadership to identify, administer, and organize temporary exhibitions;

and actively participates in programming that informs, engages, and expands audiences to position the museum as a leading university art museum that serves both campus and local communities while serving as a cultural destination for the region.

The Curator of American Art reports to the museum’s Director and works as part of an experienced team to manage exhibition projects and budgets; researches and identifies works for acquisition in keeping with the museum’s collections plan and strategic goal to collect under‑represented artists; stewards, networks, and shares in donor cultivation and institutional advancement; and enacts museum best practices, procedures, and protocols.

With a strong background in American art history, the Curator of American Art oversees a broad period spanning initial contact between indigenous Americans and Europeans to the 20th century, and is expected to work collaboratively with contemporary artists and curators to ensure the museum’s gallery presentations and exhibitions are innovative, culturally inclusive, and respond to the most potent ideas and pressing concerns of our time.

Requires a Master’s degree (Ph.D. preferred) in art history plus six years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A specialization in American art is required, and experience in an academic art museum is preferred.

To be considered for this position, submit a cover letter and resume. In your cover letter, address how equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging relate to your professional experience.

Penn State offers competitive benefits to full‑time employees, including medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans, in addition to tuition discounts (75% discount for spouse and children), and paid holidays. For more detailed information, visit .

The College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State is a comprehensive arts and architecture community with academic programs in architecture, landscape architecture, music,…