Curator Job at Motown Museum, Detroit, MI

VDg5QWlvL01zc1RrNE8yYzdrOFZwMjlVZkE9PQ==
  • Motown Museum
  • Detroit, MI

Job Description

About Motown Museum

In the 1960s, Hitsville U.S.A. was buzzing with activity. These modest buildings on Detroit’s West Grand Boulevard housed dozens of the music industry’s most talented, passionate and successful people. More than half a century later, the walls of Motown Museum continue to hold that entrepreneurial energy for its staff—and you could be part of our team. 

As a museum and cultural institution, we seek to hire talented and skilled individuals interested in careers, internships, and volunteers across a variety of functions—including staff for collections, programming, fund development, guest services, retail, management, and more.

About The Role

The Curator is responsible for designing the overall exhibit plan and strategy for the organization. This person conceptualizes onsite, community, and digital exhibits, along with complimentary programs that illuminate Motown’s illustrious history. This position is also responsible for overseeing the design fabrication and installation process for exhibits.

What You'll Do

Essential Functions

  • Responsible for managing relationships with vendors and consultants as well as coordinating workflow.
  • Serves as an interpreter of history for the organization.
  • Develops and designs exhibits rooted in authenticity for universal audiences.
  • Responsible for curating the digital jukebox.
  • Draft policy and maintain compliance with professional best practices and Museum standards.
  • Serve on the Acquisitions Committee to establish collecting priorities and recommend objects and archives for accessioning/deaccessioning.
  • Develop and sustain strategic partnerships with universities and professional organizations.
  • Represent the Museum’s interests in meetings of professional partnerships and collaborations.
  • Participate in and, in some cases, lead strategic projects for the Museum relative to community advancement and professional development.
  • Prepare and manage departmental budget to ensure stated targets are met.
  • Write grant proposals for exhibit and project funding.
  • Work in tandem with the development department to maximize fundraising opportunities.

Qualifications

Competencies

  • Knowledge of Motown within the context of music culture and American History.
  • Strong knowledge of museum curatorial best practices
  • Efficient in researching and interpreting history for public programs and/or scholarly publications
  • Proven track record for grant procurement
  • Demonstrated ability to supervise vendors and staff and work with colleagues, volunteers, and interns
  • Commitment to understanding the Museum’s mission and executing it through exhibitions and programming.
  • Highly developed writing and speaking skills
  • Strong negotiation, resource management, and people skills
  • Team-oriented perspective and philosophy that honors the viewpoints and skills of others who participate in exhibition/visual development
  • Capable of working with a team to present factual and compelling exhibitions to the public and donors
  • Knowledge of Motown music and history, as well as other musical genres is preferred
  • Confidence in developing and adhering to policies and procedural standards
  • Must be self-directed, well-organized and proficient with working on several projects at once
  • Strong attention to design detail and project follow through
  • Qualities of originality, imagination and creativity balanced with an ability to work within budget constraints
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; familiar with some form of collections management software preferred
  • Flexibility in working with cross-departmental teams
  • Ability to competently represent the Museum to the public and potential donors

Supervisory Responsibility

Yes. The Curator will supervise an Associate Curator, Digital Media Curator, and interns.

Work Environment

This position operates in an office setting and a public environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Physical Demands/Strength

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use repetitive motions. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, lift and carry 20 pounds, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, handle, grasp, and use eye/hand/foot coordination. Occasionally, the position is required to push, pull, and feel. The position requires medium work.

Environmental Conditions

Occasional atmospheric conditions and frequent temperature changes.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Salaried. This position may require weekend work and some evenings.

Travel

Moderate to high travel required. Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver license, proof of auto insurance and vehicle registration.

Education/Experience

  • Master of Arts degree in Ethnomusicology required; preferably with studies in African American Music and Pop Culture or advanced knowledge of Motown Music and its cultural context; Ph.D. preferred
  • Prior museum exhibition experience required
  • At least 5 years of demonstrated responsibility in a supervisory capacity

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

None

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Tags

Internship, Work at office, Weekend work, Afternoon shift,

Similar Jobs

Hermes Recruitment

Demi Chef de Partie (Cruise Ships) Job at Hermes Recruitment

Job Description Job Description A Demi Chef de Partie relays orders to his station cooks and ensures each menu item his station is responsible for is prepared on time. He oversees all preparation, cooking and presentation for plates. Responsibilities Preparation...

Gunner Insulation Company LLC

Insulation Installer Job at Gunner Insulation Company LLC

 ...Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance ~401K ~ PTO ~ Training ~ Opportunity for advancement Job Summary We are seeking an Insulation Installer to join our team. In this role, you will support worksite operations through manual labor tasks. This may include... 

Axis Mechanical Services

Pump Mechanic Apprentice Job at Axis Mechanical Services

 ...Job Description Job Description Axis Mechanical is looking to find someone to join our team who has a interest in working in the mechanical trades. Applicants shouldbe mechanical inclined but we are willing to train anyone who may be interested. Applicants must posses... 

IMG Academy

Sporting Event Crew Member (Part-Time) Job at IMG Academy

 ...2024, IMG Academy is the world's leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education...  ...of 40,000 college coaches The Event Staff, On-Call is responsible for making...  ...in working in events, facilities or sport management Bilingual Physical Demands and Work... 

ACL Digital

Vendor Management Manager Job at ACL Digital

 ...Job Title: Vendor Management Manager Location: Foster City, CA or Parsippany, NJ (Hybrid 3 days a week onsite and 2 days remote)...  ...candidate will have a strong foundation in project management, outsourcing, and/or vendor management in this critical role along with experience...