Curator of African American History and Special Projects

Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM), Fredericksburg, VA

Summary –The Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM) is seeking a full-time Curator of African American History and Special Projects position that will be directly responsible for leading a citywide interpretive initiative for African American History in the City of Fredericksburg and at the Fredericksburg Area Museum.

Position Title – Curator of African American History and Special Projects

Closes – March 5, 2022

Salary – $68,000 – $80,000

Primary Duties include:

• Create a strategic plan for the interpretive initiative for the City of Fredericksburg’s African American history.
• Lead the development and implementation of a signature exhibition on African American history as it relates to the regional and national story.
• Coordinate and work directly with the City of Fredericksburg, community committees, and other public institutions on the research, interpretation, and implementation of interpretative materials, programming, and media.
• Develop and oversee project budgets and work schedules.
• Collaborate with community members, history organizations, and Fredericksburg City staff as pivotal members of a community committee.
• Manage cross-departmental projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree (preferred) in museum studies, public history, or closely related fields and three-year experience in the collection, synthesis, evaluation, and presentation of historical data. OR five-years of curatorial, exhibit development, and public interpretation beyond a bachelor’s degree. Candidate must have demonstrated knowledge of African American history and culture and cross-cultural sensitivity.

Addition Qualifications

• Knowledge of the process of planning public interpretation, exhibition development, and installation.
• Experience working with artifact collections in a museum or other collecting institution with a public audience.
• Experience and ability to envision, write, and implement a variety of media outlets in interpretation.
• Knowledge of the roles played by museum professionals to include educators, program/exhibit developers, designers, programmers, curators, and marketers.
• Experience and ability to mobilize and lead community work groups.
• Strong communication and written skills.
• Experience with information management techniques and database systems used in museums.
• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Suite to include InDesign and Illustrator.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability to lift boxes of up to 40 lbs. from 14 ft. shelves while on a ladder.

We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The Fredericksburg Area Museum is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $68,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

COVID-19 considerations:
Face masks are recommended for museum visitors and staff, regardless of vaccination status.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• public history and/or museum: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: One location