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Museum Director Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Newfields

Associate Director of Education

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • With the Director of Learning Innovation, articulate and implement a vision for Education across Newfields' campus, including the Indianapolis Museum of Art, The Garden ...

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Museum Director information

See Indiana salary details

$10.5K

$107K

$180.8K

How much do museum director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for museum director in Indiana is $107,031.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $159,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Museum Director Do?

A museum director oversees all aspects of a museum’s operation, including defining the concept of the museum and signing off on each collection or exhibit. In this career, you usually work closely with a board of directors when making these decisions. Your duties are to communicate with curators and other members of the museum staff, and deal with the museum’s finances. Because of the different facets of this career, a museum director must have or be willing to develop a diverse set of skills.

What are some of the primary challenges Museum Directors face in balancing curatorial vision with operational responsibilities?

Museum Directors often juggle the creative aspects of shaping exhibitions and collections with the practical demands of managing budgets, staff, and community engagement. Balancing these priorities requires strong leadership and communication skills, as Directors must coordinate with curators, educators, fundraising teams, and external stakeholders. Navigating funding limitations while maintaining high-quality programming and ensuring the museum's mission is upheld can be particularly challenging. Success in this role often depends on the ability to build strategic partnerships and foster a collaborative work environment.

What does a Museum Director do?

A Museum Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of a museum's operations, including managing staff, developing exhibits, securing funding, and ensuring the preservation of collections. They set the strategic vision for the museum and work closely with the board, donors, and the community to fulfill the museum’s mission. Museum Directors also play a key role in educational programming, public relations, and financial management to ensure the museum’s long-term success.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Museum Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Museum Director, you need expertise in museum administration, art or history knowledge, fundraising, and typically a relevant advanced degree. Familiarity with collection management systems, donor databases, and grant-writing tools is crucial. Leadership, strategic vision, and strong interpersonal skills help foster community engagement and effective team management. These competencies are vital for preserving collections, securing funding, and ensuring the museum’s mission is achieved.
More about Museum Director jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Museum jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Museum jobs in Indiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Museum Director jobs in Indiana? For Museum Director jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Museum Director jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Museum Director jobs in Indiana are:
What cities in Indiana are hiring for Museum Director jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Museum Director job openings:
Museum Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Museum Director job openings in Indiana as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $107,031 per year, or $51.5 per hour.

Director of Historic Properties

Indianapolis Museum of Art/Newfields

Indianapolis, IN

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

Opportunity Title: Director of Historic Properties

Reports To: The Melvin & Bren Simon Director of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields

Salary or Hourly: Exempt/Salaried

Description

The Director of Historic Properties provides strategic leadership, stewardship, and vision for Newfields’ portfolio of ten historic properties, including two National Historic Landmark sites. This role ensures the preservation of architectural, landscape, and collection integrity while activating the properties through interpretation, education, community engagement, and sustainable revenue strategies. The Director works collaboratively across the institution to maintain relevance, accessibility, and alignment with Newfields’ mission.

Responsibilities

The following responsibilities describe the general nature of work for employees in this position, but this is not intended as an exclusive or all-inclusive inventory.

Historic Preservation and Site Management

  • Preserve, protect, and promote ten historic structures, including two historic house museums.
  • Plan and oversee restoration, maintenance, and capital improvement projects.
  • Collaborate with Conservation, Facilities, and Horticulture teams on long-term care plans.
  • Coordinate seasonal décor and displays with Festivals and Horticulture teams.
  • Implement priority actions from the Miller House & Garden Conservation Management Plan.

Leadership and Staff Management

  • Supervise and support assigned full-time and part-time staff.
  • Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture.
  • Complete annual site reports for each historic property.
  • Support the Miller House Site Manager with community engagement and strategic initiatives.
  • Represent Newfields Historic Properties to community stakeholders and partners.
  • Build and sustain relationships with donors and preservation organizations.
  • Participate in fundraising activities including grants, sponsorships, and individual giving.

Interpretation and Educational Programming

  • Partner with Curatorial and Education teams to present engaging interpretation and programs.
  • Lead development of interpretive strategies and educational initiatives.
  • Commission and support scholarships related to historic properties and landscapes.
  • Develop opportunities for earned revenue.

Community Engagement and Fundraising

  • Represent Newfields Historic Properties to community stakeholders and partners.
  • Build and sustain relationships with donors and preservation organizations.
  • Participate in fundraising activities including grants, sponsorships, and individual giving.

Strategic Planning and Financial Oversight

  • Provide strategic oversight for historic properties and landscapes.
  • Develop and manage multi-year budgets.
  • Monitor and maximize earned and contributed revenue.

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Required Skills

  • Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent communication and organizational abilities
  • Advanced knowledge of historic preservation best practices
  • Strong financial and strategic planning acumen

Educations and/or Experience

  • Minimum of eight years of experience in historic property management or cultural administration.
  • Master’s degree in Historic Preservation, Architecture, Museum Studies, or related field required.

Physical Demands of Work Environment

This role requires standing, walking, climbing stairs, lifting up to 25 pounds, and working both indoors and outdoors. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

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