Apply on our websiteChief Curator | Carle Museum

About the Museum

We Love Picture Book Art!

Founded by Eric and Barbara Carle in 2002, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is the international champion of picture book art.

Situated on 7.5 acres in Amherst, Massachusetts, The Carle houses a rich and deepcollection of artof more than 20,000 works of art from more than 320 picture book artists, including Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar), and illuminates its collection through exhibitions, education, programming, and art-makingmaking it a critical resource for picture book artists and authors, and art-loving communities locally, nationally, and abroad. The Carles mission is to elevate picture book art and inspire a love of art and art creation. Since opening its doors more than 20 years ago, The Carle has welcomed more than one million visitorsplus more than four million additional museumgoers who have enjoyed its touring exhibitions around the world.

How you will contribute

As the Chief Curator you will be an entrepreneurial, dynamic, visionary, and strategic leader. You will be responsible for advancing the Museums mission of elevating picture book art through innovative and engaging exhibitions, acquisitions, and scholarly programs that deepen understanding of picture books and picture book art, foster intercultural dialogue, and support lifelong learning for all.

Working closely with the Executive Director, you will shape the curatorial vision of the institution, as well as develop and oversee all curatorial programming. As a key member of the senior leadership team, your primary duties include the conceptualization, development, and direction of in-house exhibitions and in-house created traveling exhibitions; the determination of curatorial priorities; oversight of exhibition implementation; selection and leadership of traveling and guest-curated exhibitions; and oversight of collection development and preservation.

You will provide strategic leadership of the Collections team, leading curatorial and collections initiatives in accordance with best museum practices. You will supervise Collections staff members, including curatorial, registration, preparation and fabrication, rights clearance staff, and outside designers. In addition, you will set departmental goals, manage daily operations, and lead internal meetings to ensure the department runs smoothly.

Specifically, you will

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Develop and implement a cohesive, multi-audience exhibition, traveling exhibition, and acquisition strategy aligned with the Museums mission, exhibitions, and long-term goals.
• Serve as an institutional thought partner on interpretive approaches and audience engagement.

Exhibition and Related Program Oversight

• Curate original and innovative picture book art exhibitions.
• Lead and manage the Collections team and external designers and curators to plan, curate, and deliver an integrated program of exhibitions and traveling exhibitions.
• Oversee registration, conservation, framing, installation, rights clearance, and proper care of objects for exhibitions.
• Work with the Executive Director to set artistic priorities and develop a curatorial strategy for the Museum.
• Work with Executive Director and Director of Education to ensure that an integrated approach to exhibitions, research, collections development, interpretation, public programs, education and community practice, and publications is fostered institutionally.
• Work with Director of Education to develop artist residency program and a robust museum curator and docent-led gallery tour program for the general public.
• Solicit and evaluate proposals by guest curators and other consultants for exhibitions.
• With Chief Registrar and Collections Manager, negotiate with museums, private collectors, donors, artists, and art dealers to secure and manage loans and organize partnerships and tours.
• Develop interpretive printed and online materials for exhibitions in collaboration with the Communications team, including prospecti for traveling exhibitions.
• Oversee and draft collection/exhibition related editorial work, including blog posts, exhibition catalogues/publications, etc.

Collection Management

• Work with the Executive Director to identify acquisitions, including objects for purchase and for acquisition through donation. Leads accessioning and deaccessioning process in accordance with institutional collection development strategy and industry best practice.
• Oversee the Collections Manager and Chief Registrar who oversees the preservation of the collections, safety protocols, registration, and digitization of the records and archives of the collection, art storage, and art insurance. Oversee Board of Trustees Collections Committee and internal acquisition meetings.

Team Management

• Encourage and facilitate a culture of collaboration and support to ensure effective communication and accountability.
• Lead interdepartmental efforts toward long-range planning to align with the organizations mission and vision.
• Review and approve exhibition and collections related materials, including grant content, marketing collateral, and interpretive texts.
• Work closely with the Communications team to develop and shape seasonal content plans and work closely with staff across programmatic areas to generate and contribute content on a timely and regular basis.
• Work closely with the Carle Bookshop, Guest Services, Education, and other teams to ensure integrated approach to exhibitions.
• Regularly review staff performance and hold weekly staff management meetings.
• Establish work scope for work study and interns and ensure they are well supervised.

Representing The Carle