Henry Luce Curatorial Fellow in American Art – Bates College

Purpose:

The Henry Luce Curatorial Fellow in American Art is a three-year position designed to provide an advanced scholar of American art with comprehensive, hands-on professional experience in curation, education, scholarship, and stewardship. Reporting directly to the Director of the Bates College Museum of Art and serving as a member of the curatorial team, the Fellow builds the Museum’s capacity during a period of momentum and growth. The role focuses on researching the permanent collection, organizing exhibitions, and fostering deep curricular integration with college faculty and students. The Fellow is a dedicated steward of the Marsden Hartley Memorial Collection and Legacy Project, spearheading public-facing scholarly initiatives that engage both the campus community and global audiences. 

Key Accountabilities:

• Research, promote, and critically engage with the Marsden Hartley Memorial Collection and the Marsden Hartley Legacy Project, building upon foundational grant funding.
• Lead and execute advanced, project-based scholarly outputs focused on the legacy of Marsden Hartley, including publications, symposia, workshops, exhibitions, and artist-in-residence programs.
• Utilize the Hartley collections to create creative programming that connects local audiences and global art communities to the Museum.
• Contribute to the organization of annual rotations of the permanent collection by conducting research and proposing concepts for the “Origins” section, focusing on American modernism, 19th- and 20th-century American landscapes, and Maine-related artwork.
• Generate innovative proposals for temporary exhibitions centered on the Museum’s American art holdings.
• Research the permanent collection within the scope of American art to identify strengths, evaluate weaknesses, and provide strategic recommendations for targeted future acquisitions and growth.
• Conduct proactive outreach to college faculty, particularly those new to utilizing the Museum, to review syllabi and recommend relevant objects to enrich course curriculum.
• Facilitate hands-on learning encounters, lead exhibition tours, and coordinate class visits within the Synergy Study Gallery.
• Work closely with the Education Curator and Assistant Education Curator to propose public programming related to the Fellow’s areas of expertise.
• Act as a visible advocate for the Museum on campus and throughout the region, building partnerships that champion the tangible value of museums in higher education.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

M.A. in Art History, American Studies, or a related field. Ph.D. is a plus.

Experience

• Experience in and ongoing commitment to object-based research 
• Experience working in museums or galleries preferred

Skills and Knowledge

• Commitment to fostering engagement with original works of art in a college setting; work with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and museum visitors on a daily basis. 
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Be self-motivated and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously; ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community.

Benefits:  

Hiring Range:  The hiring salary for this position is $60,000