The exhibition space of the Museum of American Glass at Wheaton Village.
WheatonArts, home to the Creative Glass Center of America, Folklife Center, and the biannual GlassWeekend art fair is also the parent of the Museum of American Glass, billed as “the most comprehensive collection of American glass in the world.” Built on the foundation of the purchase of American glass holdings of the Bucks County Glass Museum in 1968, the museum has grown in the more than four decades since to include 16,000 pieces arranged in chronological order from 1739 to the present day. Much of the contemporary work is donated by residents at the Creative Glass Center of America Fellowship, and reflects the diversity of those selected for one of the most-sought-after residencies in glass. This cross-pollination is just one of the ways that the different programs under the WheatonArts umbrella interact, something that this new position will foster more of. The museum’s parent, Wheaton Arts, is launching a search for “an experienced and creative museum professional” to serve as the director of exhibitions and collections in the museum as well as other programs, part of a strategy to “break down the walls” in the words of Susan Gogan, executive director, between the museum and the other facilities.
Of course, the museum would remain a major focus of the new position. Some past Museum of American Glass exhibitions curated by former curator Gay LeCleir Taylor include 2002’s “For Show Not Play,” an exhibition of glass chess sets; 2001’s “Mirrored Images” about American silvered glass; and 1999’s “Vanity Vessels” presenting a historic view of the American perfume bottle. Guest curators have included Susanne K. Franz and the Paul Hollister.
According to the official job posting:
The Director of Exhibitions and Collections, functioning as chief curator, will provide oversight for all Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center’s exhibitions and collections. Responsibilities will include the primary oversight and management of the esteemed Museum of American Glass. The new director will have an exceptional opportunity to provide leadership and curatorial vision, working collaboratively with the CEO, the board-led Exhibitions and Collections Advisory Committee, and a dynamic team of senior staff to implement a new institutional strategic plan. Key objectives relative to this position include a complete assessment of the collection and stewardship procedures, improved interpretation of permanent and changing exhibits, and increasing the relevancy of the Museum of American Glass to the multidisciplinary nature of the WheatonArts mission and to the diverse local, regional and national communities we serve.
Among the responsibilities is the oversight and management of the institution’s primary collection and archives, planning of exhibitions throughout the entire WheatonArts organization, supervising Museum of American Glass staff and volunteers, managing budgets, regular meetings with the WheatonArts executive director and the collections advisory committee, fund raising activities and donor cultivation, writing for exhibition catalogs, docent training, and leading the process of maintaining the program of American Association of Museum accreditation.
WheatonArts is seeking a candidate with a master’s degree in art history, curatorial studies, or comparable experience in the field; a comprehensive museum background, including a minimum of 5 years of proven success in a lead curatorial role; demonstrated knowledge of best museum standards, practices and ethics. It is not essential that the candidate be a specialist in glass, but familiarity, enthusiasm and respect for the art and history of glass is required.
Leadership skills and experience managing staff is a central aspect to this job.
HOW TO APPLY:
Candidates should submit a resume/cv, letter of interest, a writing sample and two professional references by September 9, 2011. If submitting by email (preferred) please use PDF or Word document format with last name first in the document title. Please place “Director Exhibitions applicant” in the email subject line. E-mail: bnarbut@wheatonarts.org. Mail: Susan Gogan, Executive Director/CEO, Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, 1501 Glasstown Road, Millville, NJ 08332.