The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx celebrates and preserves the history of local and global Hip Hop music and culture to inspire, empower, and promote understanding.
Our Vision
Anchored in the birthplace of the culture, The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx will provide a space for audiences, artists, and technology to converge, creating unparalleled educational and entertainment experiences around the Hip Hop culture of the past, present, and future.
Position Summary
The Hip Hop Museum (THHM) Director of Curatorial Affairs (DCA) will be responsible for overseeing the Curatorial activities and ensuring the development and execution of its vision. The role will require you to articulate a compelling curatorial vision and strategy that aligns with THHM’s mission, vision, and values. This role involves a combination of strategic planning, leadership, and artistic expertise to shape THHM’s collections and exhibitions. This position will oversee a range of tasks, that will include leading the administrative operations and day-to-day implementation of engaging programs generated by the curatorial team.
The DCA defines and builds a collection documenting Hip Hop history. The use of media, new media, and other emergent forms of technology in exhibition design and installation is essential to the museum’s curatorial direction. Core responsibilities include acquisition, exhibition, and gallery display oversight. The incumbent will coordinate everything from the project ideation to execution, marketing, and PR. In this position, you will:
Essential Functions And Responsibilities (including But Not Limited To)
Collaborates with leadership to integrate curatorial objectives into the overall strategic plan
Supervises the museum curatorial team, consulting curators, and interns
Leads the curatorial team in the strategy for new acquisitions and collections development potential for public engagement
Hire, mentor and train junior curatorial staff and interns
Work with the Development office to develop fundraising support for acquisitions and exhibitions as appropriate.
Initiate, develop, and conduct mission-related research projects related to collections or exhibitions
Brainstorm and solidify new collection ideas that support and expand upon current educational and research needs
Work in partnership with staff, peers, and other organizations to research and acquire the pieces necessary to complete the display
Coordinate the appropriate restoration of items that need to be preserved
Keep careful track of inventory and catalog each piece, gathering necessary information about the item’s origin, purpose, and value to the collection
Write descriptions of the item that educate and delight a wide range of exhibit and website visitors
Oversee the exhibit installation and deinstallation from start to finish, including staffing needs, installation design, building instruction, and marketing efforts
Consults with private collectors for loans or gifts to the museum
Negotiate with investors to secure the necessary funds (whether by donation or loan) to research the exhibit, purchase or loan the necessary pieces, and build the display
Ensure proper storage and restoration techniques are met, such as temperature and humidity, to preserve items for both short- and long-term display
Organize exhibit events by securing food, entertainment, and vendors
Encourage the donation of appropriate objects, or of funds for acquisitions, and seeks to extend the national and international significance of the collections
Represent the organization online and at public events
Consult with the board of directors as needed to ensure policies, budgets, time constraints, and you meet expectations
Performs other duties as assigned
Conduct scholarly research which typically contributes to publications and exhibitions that enrich the field
Participate in the long-term development and maintenance of the Hip Hop collections and the information pertaining to those collections
Participate in a team setting with the planning and implementation of exhibition programs to maintain and promote scholarly and public interest
Serve as a consultant and advisor to colleagues, educational institutions, research foundations, other government agencies and the public
Foster relationships with the local and global community to increase the museum’s visibility
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
Specialized knowledge of curatorial affairs and a comprehensive understanding
Possesses exceptional project management skills
Plans and executes the creation of exhibits
Possess the vision and ability to make improvements and/or changes to the collections and exhibitions
Stays updated on legal and regulatory requirements related to collections and exhibitions
Exceptional communication and people skills, with the ability to engage with stakeholders, investors, and diverse audiences in both large and small groups.
Work in collaboration with the marketing and public relations teams to promote exhibits and the museum
Public speaking ability represents the museum in a professional manner
Demonstrates time-management skills and the ability to juggle multiple tasks, such as financial planning, hiring and training staff, and writing detailed records and publications
Ensures quality control and follows through on the proper preservation measures
Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays
Performs other duties as assigned
Education And Experience
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in art history, fine arts or a related discipline
5+ years’ experience curating exhibits in a similar role
3+ years’ experience in fundraising, researching, and publishing in a museum or academic setting
Work experience in a supervisory capacity required
To Apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter to include in the subject line DCA. We encourage you to apply ASAP, applications will be considered on a rolling basis. To learn more about THHM, visit our website: https://uhhm.org
The Hip Hop Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
The Hip Hop Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Internet Publishing
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