Hugh F. McKean Curator

This position reports to the Museum Director/Chief Curator and coordinates with other Museum staff.

The Hugh F. McKean Curator will actively contribute to both the curatorial and collection programs at the Morse and participate regularly in the exhibition and editorial committees, with special responsibility for the history of design. The Museum is widely known for its extensive holdings of artwork by Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848–1933), but it features art of all types dating from 1830–1930. Jeannette Genius McKean (1909–89) founded the Museum in 1942 and named it for her industrialist grandfather. Hugh F. McKean (1908–95), the Museum’s first Director from its founding until his death, believed that “any work sincerely made deserves and rewards sincere appreciation.” The Museum is a benefaction, and as stewards of the benefaction, all members of staff work together to honor the McKeans’ legacy. The position requires a keen understanding of the distinctive nature of the Museum, its history, and the experience the Museum offers its visitors.

The ideal candidate will have a background in the history of design, strong curatorial experience, excellent research skills, and outstanding interpersonal skills.

Requirements
• M.A. in Art History or a related field, Ph.D. preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of American art and art history with particular emphasis on design—glass, ceramics, furniture, jewelry, costume, metalwork, and lighting— between 1830–1930.
• Minimum five years prior curatorial experience.
• Knowledge of conservation techniques and best practices.
• Demonstrated experience working both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated experience effectively leading and managing projects; commitment to completing projects on-time and within budget and to respect the deadlines of others.
• Proven presentation and collaboration skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Regional and/or domestic travel, as needed.

Curatorial
• Research and catalog collection specialty—focus on history of design, Morse/Genius/McKean family art, and related library and archives between 1830–1930.
• Define specialty in terms of entire Morse collection (artwork of all types dating from 1830–1930). Determine gaps within specialty. With Director/Chief Curator and the Jeannette Genius McKean Curator, establish connections within the entire collection (Tiffany, history of design, art history, etc.).
• Work with Director/Chief Curator and the Jeannette Genius McKean Curator to develop timeline and story of the collection’s development from the Morse family in the nineteenth century to the present.
• With Curatorial Department:
o propose, plan, and manage exhibitions,
o work with exhibition committee to carry out exhibition projects as assigned,
o and propose possible Museum purchases and assist with potential gifts.
• Lecture, write, publish in areas of concentration.

Collection
• Use TMS by Gallery Systems to catalog object information, to organize and update exhibitions (past, current, and future), to record events (curatorial and historic), and to record sites specific to specialty.
• Assist with developing cataloging standards for TMS by Gallery Systems.
• Create and implement new policies and procedures and update Collection Management Policy as needed with Registrar and Collection Department.
• Work with Registrar and Preparators to continually organize warehouse and improve storage.
• Work with Registrar on conservation proposals and long-term planning.
• Contribute to efforts in the digitization of the permanent collection.

Other
• Participate in departmental planning (budgeting, maintenance, and long-term).
• Museum projects as assigned—social media, tours, education, publications, and product development.

Reply to: executive@morsemuseum.org