Application Deadline: 6 November 2024
Department: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: New York, NY
Reporting To: Director of Curatorial
Compensation: $102,163 - $132,807 / year
Description
OPEN DATE: November 1, 2024
CLOSING DATE: November 6, 2024
POSITION TYPE: Trust Fund
APPOINTMENT TYPE: Temporary Not to Exceed One (1) Year
SCHEDULE: Full Time
DUTY LOCATION: Washington, DC
Position sensitivity and risk: Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Open to SI Only
What are Trust Fund Positions?
Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Child Care), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).
Conditions of Employment
- Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated.
- Complete a Probationary Period.
- Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
- The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
- Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Overview
Cooper Hewitt is the nation’s museum dedicated to excellence and innovation in historic and contemporary design. Cooper Hewitt’s Curatorial Department is responsible for the museum’s renowned collection that includes both historic and contemporary design, one-off, limited edition and mass-produced objects – and a newer focus on digital media.
This position is the Museum’s digital curator and head of digital collection within Curatorial.
Duties And Responsibilities
Exhibitions
Organizes major exhibitions like the National Design Triennial and addresses timely and provocative topics in the field of born-digital. Conceives research and implements exhibitions that leverage Cooper Hewitt’s expansive definition of design. Brings an in-depth awareness and knowledge of current areas of research across a broad spectrum of topics in design, technology, arts and sciences that facilitates interdisciplinary thinking and stimulates Cooper Hewitt’s team and audiences with new developments and new ways of working with, exhibiting and experiencing design. Develops and produces contemporary design exhibitions and public programs that showcase new frontiers in design research that will have a major impact on design and on the country. Articulates exhibition concepts. Writes catalogues and wall text. Selects works and oversees installation. Applies a collaborative and integrated approach to exhibitions and program planning that significantly enhance the quality of visitor experience, attracts positive press and earns respect from the general public and community of designers.
Collections Management
In collaboration with the Director of Curatorial, the incumbent develops a multidisciplinary strategic plan for building the digital department and digital design collection while also adding to the Museum’s burgeoning collection of digital media and digital end products that capture the design process. Maintains the collection; plans and directs its proper storage, conservation, cataloguing TMS entry and photography of objects. Provides didactics to Museum departments. Seeks objects for acquisition, according to the collecting plan and under the direction of the Director of Curatorial.
Research and Professional Development
The incumbent conducts original, independent scholarly research on digital design, defining topics of genuine significance and determining feasibility of the topic for publications and exhibitions, depending on the appropriate scope of the topic. Research results in publications and articles either in conjunction with an exhibition or separately, which are considered major contributions to scholarship in the field. Handles scholarly documentation. To keep abreast of current research and design exhibitions, maintains contact with scholars and curators in the field. Reviews research proposals, manuscripts and publications as requested by colleagues and outside institutions. Fields questions, reviews objects and consults on long-term direction and goals of the Museum’s research programs.
Brings a high degree of curiosity to the position and an eagerness to initiate collaborations among SI units, innovative technology companies and designers. Cultivates partnerships with faculty and researchers at leading universities like NYU, MIT, Harvard and Stanford. Fosters a network of designers, manufacturers and artists. Furthers the public’s engagement and awareness of the critical importance of design – bolstering Cooper Hewitt as the leading world authority in digital design.
Public Outreach
Works closely with a diverse group of cultural producers and practitioners on cross-disciplinary studies ranging from social issues to global concerns, with a clear focus on actively engaging communities both inside and outside the Museum with exhibitions and acquisitions. A recognized voice in digital design, the incumbent lectures and participates in symposia, conferences, panel discussions and other programs related to digital design. Works closely with Learning and Audience Engagement, Cross-Platform Publishing and Digital and Emerging Media staff to develop meaningful opportunities for visitor engagement with objects. Improves accessibility of the digital collection through creative interpretive strategies. Responds to or supervises response to public inquiries related to the collection and other pertinent topics. Mentors departmental visitors and makes the collection available for study. Presents gallery talks and lectures related to collections and exhibitions. Serves as a lecturer on digital design at the MA Program in the History of Design and Curatorial Studies (Parsons New School). Provides and coordinates information about the collection for www.cooperhewitt.org. Actively contributes to the museum’s expanding web presence and social media.
Supervision
Serves as a first line supervisor. Assigns work, sets priorities and reviews and evaluates work and performance. Approves leave. Coaches and develops employees. Recommends corrective and disciplinary actions. Assists in budget planning and projecting short-term needs. Manages projects within assigned resources. Resolves routine problems that impact the department.
Qualification Requirements
- A recognized expert in the field through work as a curator and/or scholar in the field. Proven record of initiating, curating, and delivering exhibitions of excellence within a strong, original, insightful and responsive curatorial vision.
- Excellent research, writing, oral communication and time management skills are essential. Must be able to write fluently and persuasively in a range of styles and formats.
- A positive, proactive and collegial work ethic is essential.
- Demonstrates strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills to initiate collaborations among Smithsonian units.
- Knowledge of museum management principles and the ability to participate in a wide variety of committees and exhibition meetings for planning and developing purposes.
- Compelling public speaker and experience in conducting a wide range of public programs for adults, students and youths, and scholars in the field.
- Ability to fundraise for acquisitions and exhibitions and to work with the Advancement Department to strategize fundraising support for programs and activities, assisting with fundraising as appropriate.
- Ability/experience serving as a supervisor and demonstrated leadership skills.
Education completed outside the United States must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.
Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.
The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."
Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.
What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.
Relocation expenses are not paid.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact ZamoraP@si.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.
The Smithsonian Institution is an
Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: https://www.si.edu/oeesd.
