Job Title: Curator of Exhibitions
Reports To: Executive Director
Status: Full-time (Exempt)
Compensation: $70,000-90,000
SUMMARY
Recently named the Best Small Town Museum by USA Today, and in the midst of a national spotlight as we commemorate the start of the American Revolution, the Concord Museum seeks a thoughtful and innovative Curator of Exhibitions to lead the development, research, and implementation of both special and permanent exhibitions that leverage our nationally significant collection. Successful candidates will use creative thinking to illuminate new stories in the collection and to translate new research into accessible storytelling for a public audience.
Aligned with the Museum’s mission to connect people to Concord’s multi-faceted history and its continuing influence on American cultural, political, environmental, and literary life, the Curator of Exhibitions will shape exhibitions and interpretation that illuminate the stories of Concord’s role in the founding of the nation and inspire people to make connections between the past, present, and future.
In recent years, the Museum has significantly deepened its commitment to inclusive storytelling by actively re-examining our collections and narratives through a broader range of perspectives. We are dedicated to highlighting the rich diversity of our shared history and ensuring that under-represented voices are heard and respected. Our ongoing collaborations with local Native communities are central to this work and highlight the ongoing cultural vibrancy of Native peoples in the region.
This is an exciting opportunity to help steward one of the most significant collections of early American history and expand its impact through innovative exhibitions, dynamic storytelling, and transformative visitor experiences.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Exhibitions
- Conceive, research, develop, and implement special exhibitions and permanent gallery updates that reflect the richness of Concord’s history and material culture and align with contemporary best-practices in museum and public history fields.
- Lead interpretive planning and exhibition development in collaboration with the Curatorial and Collections team and Education and Public Programs staff; ensure interdepartmental coordination and clear communication.
- Write and edit engaging interpretive content, ensuring accessibility and relevance to diverse audiences.
- Manage and perform all aspects of exhibition projects including budgeting, timeline management, content development, installation, and coordination with designers, contractors, and lenders.
- As part of the installation team, responsibilities include moving and hanging display cases, installing temporary barriers, and painting cases and object mounts as needed to ensure that exhibits are presented in a timely manner and in accordance with the standard of the Museum.
- Oversee the design and production of in-house graphics, panels, and labels, ensuring a consistent and high-quality visual identity that meets brand guidelines.
- Maintain all gallery digital media and hands-on interactives.
Curatorial and Collections
- Collaborate and partner with Native communities on select exhibitions. This may include managing relationships with contemporary artists on commissioning and supporting the exhibition of their work.
- Work collaboratively to oversee the care, documentation, interpretation, and stewardship of the Museum’s permanent collection, upholding AAM best practices.
- Research and propose new acquisitions that strengthen the Museum’s holdings and support its interpretive goals as outlined in the Museum’s Collections Development Plan. These goals include enhanced collections initiatives into new areas of Concord’s history, including objects relating to Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented histories.
- Support the Director of Collections with initiatives, including loans, exhibition-related conservation, and collections-based scholarship.
Community Engagement and Institutional Advancement
- Collaborate with community groups, educators, and scholars to ensure exhibitions reflect multiple perspectives and voices.
- Represent the Museum in the broader museum and public history fields through professional engagements and partnerships.
- Assist with grant writing and fundraising related to special exhibitions.
- Help cultivate and steward relationships with donors, collectors, and community partners.
- Engage with public audiences on exhibitions through public programs, social media, and other means of facilitating understanding and enthusiasm for the exhibits.
Administration and Operations
- Manage exhibition budgets and coordinate contractors and teams to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Maintain clear and proactive communication across all departments to support institutional goals.
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- M.A. in American History, Public History, Museum Studies, or related field required; Ph.D. preferred.
- 3-5 years of curatorial and exhibition management experience.
- Demonstrated excellence in interpretive writing and historical research, as well as public speaking (including with public audiences, colleagues, and media); able to interpret complex historical themes for broad and diverse audiences.
- Strong project management skills and experience with budgeting.
- Self-motivated, yet thrives in collaborative environments—working respectfully and effectively with Museum colleagues and external partners, while bringing a spirit of teamwork, humility, and humor to shared efforts.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, knowledge of exhibit-related design software, and collections management systems (e.g., TMS).
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and assist in exhibition installation.
- This position requires occasional evening and weekend work, as well as periodic regional travel for research and professional engagement.
TO APPLY
Please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with “Curator of Exhibitions” in the subject line by June 2, 2025.