Description

Title: Associate Curator of Maximus Gallery

Classification: Full-time, Exempt

Department: Maximus Gallery

Reports To: Department Head and Curator of Maximus Gallery

Wage Band: Curator

Pay Range: $68,640 to $70,350*

Mission: The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History inspires a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world.

Position Summary: Assists in the planning, design, and exhibition of three gallery shows each year. Assists in the curation, interpretation, and stewardship of the Museum’s John and Peggy Maximus Gallery collection—over 4,000 antique engravings and lithographs of natural history subjects, dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. These works on paper, originally created for scientific documentation and identification, now stand at the intersection of science, history, and art.
Please note: Per the Maximus Gallery Endowment, the collection and exhibitions must remain dedicated exclusively to antique natural history works on paper; this is not a contemporary or modern art gallery. This position is intended to be a mentorship under the current Curator until their retirement.

Specific Responsibilities:

Exhibit Development

• Gain and maintain deep familiarity with the collection’s history, provenance, and significance.
• Conduct scholarly research on the collection, its artists, scientific context, and the role of natural history illustration in the 17th–19th centuries.
• Select exhibition themes that align with the collection’s focus on the development of science—especially biology, exploration, and discovery—between the 17th and 19th centuries.
• Plan and develop exhibitions drawn from the collection or from related holdings at other institutions, ensuring alignment with the collection’s historic and scientific focus.
• Contribute to up to three original gallery exhibitions annually that meet the Maximus Gallery’s high standards of presentation and interpretation.
• Consider design choices—layout, color palette, lighting—that complement and preserve antique works on paper.
• Collaborate with the Maximus Gallery Curator and Exhibit Designer to ensure authenticity, historical accuracy, and aesthetic integrity.

Collections Management

• Ensure the highest level of care and professional management of the antique natural history print collection, in accordance with best practices for works on paper.
• Assist in curation and management of the collection, maintaining a focus on natural history themes.
• Work with collectors, donors, and supporters to strengthen and expand the collection in alignment with its natural history scope and endowment requirements.
• Oversee storage, organization, and preservation of the collection using best archival practices.
• Utilize PastPerfect or similar database systems to document and track collection items.
  

Services/Administration

• Cultivate and maintain a network of antique print dealers, scholars, and natural history resources.
• Promote public understanding and appreciation of antique natural history art through talks, tours, and written materials.
• Communicate effectively with visitors, colleagues, and donors about the collection’s historical and scientific context.
• Complete documentation and processing for acquisitions, loans, and donations in a timely and accurate manner.
• Organize and participate in gallery open houses and special Museum events.
• Provide reference assistance to staff, students, scholars, and the public.
  

Organization-Wide

• Maintain clean, safe, and organized workspaces.
• Follow opening/closing procedures and uphold safety and emergency protocols.
• Supports the Museum’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for fellow staff, guests and the community.
• Fosters a spirit of teamwork and collaboration by actively supporting colleagues, sharing knowledge, and contributing to a positive work culture.
• Contributes to a positive guest experience by greeting and addressing any questions when encountering guests as they navigate through the Museum and Sea Center.
• Assist with other Museum educational and special events as needed and approved by the supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to conceive and curate art exhibitions, with genuine enthusiasm for natural history works on paper and sharing that passion with others.
• Advanced degree in Art History or related field, or commensurate experience.
• Minimum of five years of experience in a museum or public art gallery preferred.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with antique works on paper, preferably in the natural history/scientific illustration tradition.
• Knowledge of conservation issues relating to works on paper.
• Proven ability to research and contextualize 17th–19th century artworks within their historical, scientific, and cultural frameworks.
• Experience in exhibition planning and mounting.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Comfort with public engagement and promoting appreciation of antique natural history art.

The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the job description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance. The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job. The Museum will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

*The pay range above represents the budgeted range for a new hire, encompassing the minimum and maximum rates. Placement within this range will depend on factors such as specific skills, qualifications, relevant years of experience, and alignment with the salaries of current employees in similar roles. In most cases, newly hired employees are placed below the midpoint of the range.

Requirements

Essential Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to conceive and curate art exhibitions, with genuine enthusiasm for natural history works on paper and sharing that passion with others.
• Advanced degree in Art History or related field, or commensurate experience.
• Minimum of five years of experience in a museum or public art gallery preferred.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with antique works on paper, preferably in the natural history/scientific illustration tradition.
• Knowledge of conservation issues relating to works on paper.
• Proven ability to research and contextualize 17th–19th century artworks within their historical, scientific, and cultural frameworks.
• Experience in exhibition planning and mounting.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Comfort with public engagement and promoting appreciation of antique natural history art.

The incumbent must be able to perform each requirement of the position as outlined in the job description. Essential Requirements are representative and are essential for satisfactory job performance. The Work Environment characteristics are representative of those that may be encountered while on the job. The Museum will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.