Oscar Bluemner Curatorial Appointment

The Hand Art Center is now taking applications for the 2022-2023 Oscar Bluemner Curatorial Appointment. This is an opportunity for curators to engage with the prized collection of Oscar Bluemner materials housed at the Hand Art Center. Submissions must be received by January 7, 2022.

For more information, examples of the materials, and the archive of past exhibitions visit the Hand Art Center website: www.handartcenter.org/oscar-bluemner-curator-appointment

Oscar Bluemner Curatorial Appointment

The Hand Art Center is home to the largest collection of the work of the modernist painter Oscar Bluemner (b.1867 – 1938). The collection includes artwork that spans Bluemner’s lifetime, in multiple mediums, as well as a selection of Bluemner’s personal art collection, correspondence, and personal effects. The HAC has a gallery space dedicated to the display of these objects and expects to mount two Bluemner exhibitions every calendar year.  The Oscar Bluemner curatorial appointment, which carries a stipend of $5,000, provides an opportunity for faculty and emerging curatorial talent to engage with this archive of material in order to develop and expand an appreciation for Bluemner, an often overlooked early modernist painter. Oscar Bluemner Curator will be expected to curate two unique exhibitions and create at least one accompanying program for each exhibit, the shape of which will be determined in conjunction with staff of the Hand Art Center and at the discretion of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Scope of Work

• In collaboration with Hand Art Center staff, curate and oversee exhibition planning for two exhibits. Coordinate exhibition planning, propose and maintain budgets for each exhibition (budgets include honoraria and exhibition
  production costs), and plan and coordinate scheduled programming events.
• Write and speak about the artist’s work for a variety of audiences, including those knowledgeable in contemporary art and those new to it. Convey key messages about the exhibitions to Hand Art Center staff for media materials, and varied group events and tours.
• Communicate the mission and goals of the Hand Art Center while bringing a unique curatorial vision to the program.
• Prepare exhibition models and sketches as required.
• Participate in fundraising activities if requested.

Qualifications

• Graduate-level education in Art History, Fine Arts, Curatorial Studies, History, or a related field is preferred.
• Knowledge of or willingness to become familiar with the work of Oscar Bluemner and his position among his contemporaries in the early American Modern Art movement.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team within a larger arts
  organization.
• Ability to organize and communicate messages effectively through writing and
  public presentation to different audiences.
• Ability to meet deadlines and observe excellent attention to detail.

Submission Requirements

Proposals are due to the Hand Art Center by January 7, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. All applications must be sent via email to HandArtCenter@stetson.org. Appointments for the following academic year will be made no later than March 1.

Please include the following:

1. A brief curatorial statement and short list of research goals
2. Professional resume or CV.
3. Examples of past curatorial work or research in related fields.

NOTE: A fully conceived exhibition is not necessary for consideration, especially for candidates with a strong curatorial background, though general concepts and research goals are suggested. Exhibitions are dependent on an appointee’s research with the archival materials and artworks of the Hand Art Center. Accompanying programs can be typical lectures, curatorial talks, panel talks and presentations; atypical programming concepts will also be considered.