Contemporary Art Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Desired start date: November 2, 2026

Please include a cover letter along with a resume when applying for this position.

Reporting to the Chief Curator, the Emily Hall Tremaine Curator of Contemporary Art is an essential member of The Wadsworth’s curatorial team, helping to realize the museum’s artistic vision: discerning and presenting the boldest, most innovative, and consequential art of our time in The Wadsworth’s galleries, enhancing the collection, and inspiring our community. The Curator of Contemporary Art will oversee and develop the museum’s collection of post-war and contemporary art in all media, from 1960 to the present. The Curator will develop engaging and original ways of curating and interpreting contemporary art, being willing to draw out unexpected connections across cultures, movements, and ideas. Under the guidance of the Chief Curator and in collaboration with the curatorial team, the Curator of Contemporary Art will oversee gallery installations for the permanent collection and propose, develop, and execute temporary exhibitions, including serving as in-house curator for traveling exhibitions from other institutions. The Curator will also lead public programs and undertake publications related to the collection, conduct in-gallery talks and lectures, and respond to public inquiries. The Curator of Contemporary Art will initiate acquisitions and manage gift offers to expand the collection’s scope, depth, and quality and cultivate relationships with donors and supporters, particularly members of the museum’s contemporary art affinity group. In addition, the Curator of Contemporary Art will play a pivotal role in reimagining and reinvigorating the museum’s iconic MATRIX program. Since its launch in 1975, MATRIX has set the standard for presenting the work of living artists within a civic museum and has influenced institutions nationwide. After more than 50 years and the 200th artist featured, the Curator will have the opportunity to shape this program’s next chapter to ensure its continued impact for a new generation. One of the Curator's first major projects will be to help conceive and realize the exhibition celebrating the 200th MATRIX presentation, scheduled for summer/fall 2027, setting the tone for the program's next chapter.

Emily Hall Tremaine Curator of Contemporary Art will also oversee the Marsted Curatorial Fellow for Contemporary Art.

The Contemporary Art Collection 

The collection has strengths in Abstract Expressionism, Color Field painting, Pop art, Conceptual art, Minimalism, contemporary figuration and other recent movements, as well as noted collections of post-war sculpture, photography, and moving image. The wide-ranging holdings of the contemporary collection at The Wadsworth reflect significant acquisitions from esteemed former curators such as Sam Wagstaff and Andrea Miller-Keller, as well as gifts from distinguished collectors including Susan Morse Hilles and Burton and Emily Tremaine, and artists such as Sol LeWitt and Tony Smith. The museum also pioneered engagement with contemporary art with the launch of its MATRIX program in 1975, inviting both emerging and established artists to develop installations of their work. This program has given many artists their first museum show in the United including Jennifer Bartlett, Gerhard Richter, Sylvia Sleigh, John Baldessari, Romare Bearden, Andrea Fraser, Nancy Spero, Louise Lawler, Janine Antoni, Barbara Kruger, Carrie Mae Weems, Glenn Ligon, and Stephanie Syjuco. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Conceive, plan, and implement installations and exhibitions, in close collaboration with the curatorial team, that showcase the Contemporary Art Collection from diverse cultural, historical, and artistic perspectives.
• Oversee the cataloguing, documentation, and research of objects in the permanent Contemporary Art Collection, ensuring scholarly rigor and accessibility.
• Collaborate with conservation and collections staff to maintain and preserve objects, including recommendations for storage, care, and conservation priorities.
• Research and produce wall labels, wall texts, collection and exhibition brochures, and other interpretive materials.
• Initiate and execute proposals to build the collection through gifts and purchases.
• Facilitate scholarly and public access to the collections, supporting curators, students, researchers, and visiting scholars.
• Support the museum’s relationships with Trustees, donors, collectors, and other stakeholders through stewardship, consultation, and engagement initiatives.
• Serve as the curatorial liaison to the museum’s contemporary art affinity group, the Contemporary Art Coalition 
• Participate in and contribute to public programs, lectures, and tours, and host visiting scholars, community groups, and special guests.
• Represent the museum locally, nationally, and internationally through talks, publications, exhibitions, and collaborative initiatives.
• Undertake other projects, research, and travel as requested to support the mission and goals of the museum. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience: 

PhD or equivalent advanced degree in art history or a related humanities field, with a focus on post-war and contemporary art preferred. Candidates should have a minimum of seven years of professional curatorial experience in a museum or comparable institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with a proven record of significant collection enhancement and donor stewardship. Significant administrative experience and the ability to manage and mentor staff is required. Demonstrated expertise in global contemporary art—including traditional media such as painting and sculpture, and non-traditional media such as video, performance, installation, craft, decorative arts, and design—is a necessity. A strong record of scholarship, publications, and public speaking is also expected.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse personalities in cross-departmental teams in a high-paced environment 
• Ability to work independently, strategically establish priorities, and maintain scheduled activities.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines among conflicting priorities.
• Excellent organization skills and research skills with libraries, archives, and online databases
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong capacity to write for various audiences.
• Experience in teaching, public engagement, or educational programming is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within the museum and with external partners and community stakeholders.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) in the field.
• Knowledge of collections handling techniques, as well as recommended museum standards and practices of registration, art handling, conservation and preservation is a plus.
• Computer proficiency with standard operating systems. Knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
• Proficiency with collections management software.