Peter Jay Sharp, Class of 1952, Curator and Lecturer in the Art of the Ancient Americas – Princeton University Art Museum

Peter Jay Sharp, Class of 1952, Curator and Lecturer in the Art of the Ancient Americas
The Princeton University Art Museum welcomes applications for the next Peter Jay Sharp, Class of 1952,
Curator and Lecturer in the Art of the Ancient Americas. The Curator will shape the display, interpretation,
growth, and care of the Museum’s Art of the Ancient Americas collections. As the Museum prepares to
open a dramatically reconceived new building in the fall of 2025, the Curator will lead gallery installations,
exhibitions, publications, research, and acquisitions, and provenance research for the Ancient Americas
collections. The Curator will also teach regularly in the Department of Art and Archaeology and/or the
Program in Latin American Studies.
With nearly 5,000 works spanning over 4,000 years of artistic production, the Museum’s vast holdings in
this area include hallmark examples of stone carving, metalwork, ceramics, and textiles from ancient
Indigenous cultures of North, Central, and South America, including masterpieces of Olmec ceramics and
jades as well as Maya Jaina figures. The position offers an exceptional opportunity to build on one of the
finest collections in the country and position the Museum as a center for scholarly inquiry.
The successful candidate will have expertise in the art of the ancient Americas, an interest in Latin
American art after 1600, and the enthusiasm to collaborate broadly across collection areas. Working
within a team environment, the Curator will partner with conservators and educators, supervise research
assistants, and mentor interns and students. They will prioritize the Museum’s commitment to cultural
property law, ethics, research, and transparency, working closely with the Curator of Provenance; will
serve as a voice on campus in discussions about collecting histories; and will create partnerships with
descendant communities and research institutions in Latin America. The Curator will embrace the
possibilities of a public-facing museum and will communicate effectively with both scholarly and broad
audiences.
A PhD in art history, anthropology, or a related field is required for this position. Applicants must have at
least four years’ curatorial experience; a strong record of scholarly publications; and a growing network
across collectors and museums in the US and Latin America. Familiarity with donor engagement and
collections management, and proven teaching abilities are essential. Appointment level (associate/full
curator) and salary will be commensurate with experience.
The work location for this position is in-person on campus at Princeton University.
To learn more about the Princeton University Art Museum, please visit https://artmuseum.princeton.edu.
Applicants must apply online at https://www.princeton.edu/acad-positions/position/37961 and submit a
resume, a cover letter addressing their interest and qualifications for the position, and at least three
references.
This position is subject to the University’s background check policy.

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