Reports to: The Cecil and Ida Green Curator of Asian Art

Department: Curatorial Department, Curatorial and Research Division

Classification: Exempt, Full-time, M-F, 9am to 5pm

Benefits: Full Museum Benefits

Level and Salary: Commensurate with experience

About the Dallas Museum of Art

Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country and is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation, and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses more than 26,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. Located in the heart of the nation’s largest arts district, the Museum welcomes some 500,000+ visitors annually and acts as a catalyst for community creativity, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming, from exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events, and dramatic and dance presentations. In January 2013, the DMA returned to free general admission. For more information, visit DMA.org. The Dallas Museum of Art is supported, in part, by the generosity of Museum Partners and donors and by the citizens of Dallas through the City of Dallas/Office of Cultural Affairs and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

DMA Mission: The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive.

The DMA will:

• Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate.
• Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art.
• Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity.

Scope of Position:  

The Dallas Museum of Art seeks a promising and dynamic scholar in the field of art history to become The Margaret McDermott Assistant/Associate/Curator of African Art. The position is responsible for directing the exhibitions, programs, and material resources of the African art collection, comprised of over 2,200 works. Working in partnership with the Curatorial; Conservation; Education; Collections, Exhibitions, Design and Interpretation; Experience; and Development departments, The Margaret McDermott Assistant/Associate/Curator of African Art will support the mission and artistic program of the Dallas Museum of Art and will serve as an advocate of the Museum locally, nationally, and internationally with a high degree of integrity and professionalism.

Considered one of the great African art collections in the United States, African works of art entered the DMA permanent collections in 1969 with the acquisition of the Clark and Frances Stillman Collection of Congo sculpture which was donated by Eugene and Margaret McDermott. The Stillmans, who formed their collection from the 1930s to the 1960s, owned one of America’s best private collections of African art. In 1974, fifty works from the Gustave and Franyo Schindler Collection of African Sculpture, another very distinguished private collection, was acquired for the Museum by the McDermott Foundation in honor of Eugene McDermott. Since 1974, the collection has grown in depth, breadth, and quality with support from the African Art Acquisitions Endowment Fund, which was established by Margaret McDermott in 1997, and gifts of objects from several individuals and foundations. 

We look to hire a team-oriented colleague who will promote, interpret, build, and care for all aspects of the DMA’s historical and tradition-based African art collection, which spans continental Africa (including Egypt) and encompasses over 2,200 objects and over 5,000 years of art history. The collection is diverse in form and representative of all major media, with particular emphasis on the traditional visual arts of sub-Saharan cultures in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, and with collection strengths in work from Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria. The Assistant/Associate/Curator of African Art will be an active participant in executing the Museum’s Strategic Plan, including diversifying and reinterpreting the collection through strategic acquisitions, gallery installations, exhibition development, publications, presentations, and audience engagement.

Desired Qualifications:  

Candidates should demonstrate excellent research, writing, and speaking skills, as well as the ability to manage complex projects effectively and attract and deepen relationships with donors, supporters, and art world professionals. They should demonstrate a breadth of knowledge, connoisseurship, and experience in their specialty, as well as a willingness to gain new expertise. Candidates should be committed to exploring the changing nature of art museums and their relationship to diverse audiences.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Chief Curatorial and Research Officer and supervision of The Cecil and Ida Green Curator of Asian Art, actively directs acquisitions, exhibitions, research, interpretation, and publications in support of the African art collection.
• Develops major exhibitions with publications that tour nationally and internationally; conducts research and exhibition preparation; drafts didactic and promotional materials; and ensures that projects are of the highest quality and are managed within project budgets and timelines.
• Conceives and executes installation plans for the DMA’s African art collection, including creation of interpretative resources.?? 
• Maintains and updates the Collection Plan for the African art collection that will guide the acquisition program and inform gallery planning, as needed.
• Stays current with the art market and latest developments in the display and conservation of African artwork, and the legal regulations governing collecting. 
• Proposes acquisitions for the department with a goal to enhance and deepen the range and quality of the African art collection through purchases and gifts. Acquisitions must represent the highest standards of connoisseurship and be acquired in accordance with the policies and procedures of the DMA and national and international laws.
• Conducts research and documents the DMA’s African art collection in both physical and digital archives and databases, ensuring the museum’s collection database (TMS) is accurate and relevant.
• Conducts provenance research on the African art collection, assuring compliance with federal law and with other professional policies and guidelines for protection of cultural properties. These include provisions of the UNESCO Convention; the Endangered Species Act; the AAMD Guidelines on the Acquisition of Archaeological Materials and Ancient Art; and the AAMD Report on the Acquisition and Stewardship of Sacred Objects. Serves on the Curatorial Provenance Taskforce. 
• Authors and edits publications, including exhibition and collection catalogues, of the highest scholarly standards and international significance.
• Develops and maintains advantageous relationships with the community of collectors, trustees, artists, dealers, museum colleagues, professional organizations, and friends of the Museum to enhance the DMA’s position and relevance locally, nationally, and internationally. Maintains and augments network of African communities and organizations. 
• Encourages the development and cultivation of private collections with the goal of enhancing the Museum's holdings by partial, promised, and outright gifts of art.
• Plays an active role within the Curatorial and Research Division by participating on interdivisional teams to further the goals and programs of the Museum.  
• Collaborates with the Conservation department on the treatment and preservation program for African art in the collection. 
• Collaborates with Education and with Collections, Exhibitions, Design and Interpretation departments to develop and present resources and programs relating to the interpretation of the collections and special exhibitions for the public, including gallery texts, publications, lectures, electronic media, and docent training, and to assure communication and completion of institutional projects within defined budgets and timelines.
• Assists with fundraising and public relations efforts to support and promote departmental and Museum activities through collaboration with the Development department and specific support groups.
• Actively works with the Marketing and Communications department in press relations and public appearances, as well as on a variety of media, both broadcast and print.
• Prepares and conducts presentations about the African art collection and exhibitions and can leads discussions about the African art collection and exhibitions with the staff, trustees, and public, as needed. 
• Continues professional development, including research and publication, lectures, symposia, and participation in museum and arts organizations.
• Works professionally and tactfully with the Board, donors, co-workers, volunteers, and the public. 
• Conforms to the AAMD code of ethics governing the art museum profession.
• Supports key institutional initiatives, adheres to Museum policies and supports management decisions in a positive, professional manner.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Requirements: Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities   

• MA in Art History or related studies; PhD preferred
• Requirements for Curatorial Levels:

1. Assistant Curator: 1-3 years of curatorial experience working in a museum or equivalent, specifically in the area of African art
2. Associate Curator: 3-5 years of curatorial experience working in a museum with a demonstrated record of achievement specifically in the area of African art  
3. Curator: 5+ years curatorial experience working in a museum with significant exhibitions, acquisitions, and publications, specifically in the area of African art  

• Reading proficiency in language(s) related to area of expertise
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability to work independently as well as collaborate on projects with internal and external teams
• Ability to assess priorities and work well under pressure; excellent time management, problem solving, and analytical skills 
• Must be detail oriented and able to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information 
• Strong experience with Microsoft Office 365 applications, and working with museum collection management databases such as TMS 

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Our Core Values  

• Act with Integrity: We are honest and ethical.  
• Build Inclusivity: We create spaces where everyone can feel like they belong.  
• Communicate Respectfully: We listen intentionally and advocate for diverse perspectives.  
• Embrace and Drive Change: We are innovative, creative, and solutions driven.  
• Foster Connections: We collaborate around shared goals.  
• Maintain Balance: We encourage ourselves and each other to reflect and recharge.  
• Remain Curious: We pursue personal and professional learning.  

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion 

The Dallas Museum of Art fosters equity, celebrates diversity, and supports inclusion. We acknowledge that diverse backgrounds and voices of visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and communities represented in the collection make us stronger and better equipped to make positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally.  

Equity  

Society’s historical legacies and systemic barriers have created disparities in the communities we serve. Knowing this, we strive to expand and enhance arts opportunities for all.  

Diversity  

Many factors—including but not limited to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetics, economic backgrounds, and experiences—make individuals and groups unique. Our goal is to ensure visitors, volunteers, trustees, staff, and collections reflect this diversity.  

Inclusion  

We commit to listening to and learning from diverse voices and perspectives. We create a vibrant and accessible social space that encourages dialogue and the exchange of ideas through arts and culture.  

EOE  

The Dallas Museum of Art is committed to building a culturally diverse staff and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The DMA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.