JOB POSTING: Curator Supervisor at Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

(DCA  #27711)

Agency: Department of Cultural Affairs

Posting End Date: 03/02/2025

Location: Santa Fe, Full-Time, On-Site

Salary: $29.58 - $47.33 Hourly; $61,531 - $98,449 Annually; This position is a Pay Band 75

To Apply: visit https://careers.share.nm.gov/ and search by job number 27711 or view all Department of Cultural Affairs positions by clicking on Agency and selecting Department of Cultural Affairs

Summary: We are seeking an enthusiastic an experienced colleague to lead a mid-sized team of permanent, grant-funded, and contracted staff charged with Collections and Research activities at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Lab of Anthropology, and Archaeological Research Collection. The position will be deeply involved in Tribal relations, NAGPRA compliance, and other aspects of management of and access to archaeological, ethnographic, and fine arts collections.

Posting Details

THIS POSTING WILL BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME.    APPLICANT LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE

Please visit us at www.IndianArtsandCulture.org

Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs represents New Mexico's dedication to preserving and celebrating the cultural integrity and diversity of our state. The Department oversees a broad range of New Mexico's arts and cultural heritage agencies. These include 15 divisions representing a variety of programs and services.

The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC) is a center of stewardship, knowledge, and understanding of the artistic, cultural, and intellectual achievements of the diverse Indigenous peoples of the Greater Southwest. MIAC's mission is achieved by inspiring the public to learn more about the vibrant cultures of the Southwest, caring for and interpreting the collection, and collaboration with the Indigenous people of the Southwest. The Museum collection includes nearly 75,000 catalogued objects and the Archaeological Research Collections contains an estimated 8 million artifacts and samples cataloged by container

Why does the job exist?

The Head of Collections and Research is a part of the leadership team at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (MIAC) and takes the lead on all work related to collections care, research, and consultation. They supervise staff in the areas of collection management at both the Museum and Center for New Mexico Archaeology (CNMA), archives of the Lab of Anthropology, and other collections and research initiatives. Importantly, this position will be charged with leading all NAGPRA-related work across all areas of the Museum's collections. This work includes coordinating consultations, repatriations, and adapting curatorial practices to reflect the input of Indigenous authorities, such as updating research and access practices, supporting consultation on exhibition, research, and education projects; and cultivating and maintaining relationships with a wide range of Tribal community members leader's and archaeologists.

How does it get done?

The Head of Collections and Research supervises the collections team at the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Laboratory of Anthropology, and Center for New Mexico Archaeology, as well as overseeing the collections facilities at each of these locations. There are several key areas of work, as detailed below. Supervision and management NAGPRA Cultivate and maintain relationships collaborations with Tribal communities, leaders, THPOs, and other Indigenous people and organizations with interest in or affiliation to collections currently cared for at MIAC or CNMA

Who are the customers?

Internal customers include MIAC/LOA/CNMA archives and collections staff, interns, volunteers, and other staff within the Museum and more broadly within DCA. External customers include Tribal community members, researchers, donors, and others who seek access to collections or who are engaging in consultation and repatriation processes. Some external customers may visit in person, both in collections tours and research visits, as well as via collections-based public programming. Other external customers are served via email, the website, and will be served through the online collections database. Community members, researchers, local, national, and international visitors, school children, academic communities, and Tribal leaders and community members are among the audiences that are served by the work of the Head of Collections and Research and their team.

Ideal Candidate

Preference for Master's or Doctoral Degree in Art History, Anthropology, American Studies, Archaeology, Culture Studies, History, Humanities, or Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis on Indigenous people in the Southwest. Curator should have five (5) years of experience in collections management, NAGPRA-based engagement with Tribal communities and leaders, and/or conducting research in the area of Southwest Indigenous arts and culture. Three (3) years of supervisory experience with budget and schedule oversight is preferred. The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience working closely with Native communities, including community and Tribal-level consultation and repatriation, collaborative research, and creating policy and procedures for collaboration or co-management of research data or collections.

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, Museology, Art, Art History, Art Administration, Anthropology, American Studies, Archaeology, Curatorial Studies, History, Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Arts, Public History, or Paleontology and four (4) years of experience in exhibit development, collections management, curation, creative writing, conducting research in specialty area of a museum, and working with historical concepts. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling eight (8) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and is conditional pending results.

Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.  Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License.

Working Conditions

Office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. Some travel within the state may be required. Some lifting, bending, and carrying required. There is regular interaction with the public. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.

Supplemental Information

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Agency Contact Information: Danyelle Means 505 0476-1251 or danyelle.means@dca.nm.gov

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.