ASSISTANT CURATOR, CULTURAL HISTORY

Definition

Under the general supervision of the Curator of Cultural History in the State Museum, Department of State, initiates, plans, researches, implements, and evaluates exhibitions in cultural history; seeks, researches, and administers travelling exhibitions from other museums and museum service agencies for presentation at the New Jersey State Museum; conducts research on the permanent collections of the New Jersey State Museum; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Determines requirements for effective collections and exhibitions of New Jersey cultural history from the 18th century to the present; assesses appropriateness of artifacts in the collection or proposed for the collection for use in exhibitions, publications, and programs, and conducts research required to implement programs.
• Researches artifacts in the collection or proposed for the collection including ownership history, historic value, maker, period, style, and material.
• Researches exhibition and collection possibilities; maintains current information on makers and companies established in the state; reviews current scholarly literature, visits private collections, museums and galleries, corporate archives, historic sites, exhibition locations, etc.; maintains scholarly contacts.
• Provides recommendations of subjects/topics to be included in exhibitions, purchases for the collections, gift acceptances, or deaccessioning of artifacts; selects works for exhibitions based on historic relevance, appropriateness to subject, availability, and other appropriate factors.
• Plans installation design to accommodate artifacts selected for exhibitions.
• Provides guidance and instruction to museum personnel and/or volunteers in the care and management of artifacts in the collection including assessment of condition, proper storage and handling, and maintaining accurate and complete location records.
• Prepares loan forms, condition reports, insurance forms, and all other forms for loans used in the exhibitions.
• Electronically catalogs artifacts in the collection or on loan for exhibitions.
• Writes publication-ready copy for brochures, catalogs, and announcements which document and/or interpret exhibitions to the public.
• Prepares information for use in communication to the general public via the press and other media.
• Researches sources for outside funding based on knowledge of possible connections between the bureau's collections and foundations, corporations, governmental agencies, and individuals.
• Coordinates with other museum bureaus in planning and implementation of exhibitions.
• Maintains records and files necessary for the implementation and documentation of exhibitions.
• Participates and/or serves on museum committees, professional associations, and support organizations.
• Prepares reports on exhibitions as required by the museum administration.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in American Studies, History, or Material Culture.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience in the field of cultural history or material culture, one (1) year of which shall have involved performing curatorial duties related to collecting, researching, and exhibiting in a museum, historical society, or history center.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of museum methodology including registrarial procedures, collection care and management, and exhibition planning in a museum.
• Knowledge of research techniques and methods.
• Knowledge of American cultural history.
• Knowledge of cultural history of New Jersey from prehistory to present day.
• Knowledge of subject matter pertinent to developing cultural history collections and exhibitions.
• Knowledge of the methods used to select and prepare artifacts for exhibition.
• Knowledge of the methods used to catalog cultural history collections.
• Ability to work harmoniously with museum staff and outside consultants.
• Ability to use a collections management system.
• Ability to catalog museum cultural history artifacts and collections.
• Ability to research funding sources from foundations, corporations, governmental agencies, and individuals.
• Ability to prepare correspondence and cultural history reports, brochures, and other written materials.
• Ability to establish and maintain records and files.
• Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.