Description

Who We Are

Storm King Art Center is a 500-acre outdoor museum located in New York’s Hudson Valley, where visitors experience large-scale sculpture, site-specific commissions, and groundbreaking temporary exhibitions under open sky. Storm King’s unique landscape offers opportunities for the public to experience time outdoors and engage with art in an open and accessible environment, while artists create some of their most ambitious works in conversation with the natural world.

As a member of the Storm King team, you will be part of our mission to protect and celebrate both the creative and the natural world around us. Our team is committed to fostering a diverse, supportive, and inclusive workplace, where every employee can thrive and grow.

Position Summary

Storm King seeks an experienced and thoughtful Senior Curator to help define and move forward the curatorial vision and strategy for the institution, in collaboration with the Executive Director and the Curatorial team. The Senior Curator will be a member of Senior Staff, and will supervise a team of four, including an Associate Curator, an Assistant Curator, a Registrar and Collection Manager, and an Archivist/Librarian. They will work in close collaboration with the Learning & Engagement and the Facilities & Conservation teams.

The ideal candidate will come to the role with a firm understanding of modern and contemporary art, with an emphasis on sculpture. They will think about Storm King’s program from a holistic, visionary perspective, be proficient in and able to implement best practices for collection management, and be ready to develop and maintain a thoughtful slate of exhibitions tailored to Storm King’s specific, outdoor, Hudson Valley site.  This will include working with Storm King’s collection, soliciting works on exhibition loans as well as stand-alone loans, and working with artists on both temporary and permanent commissions as well as multi-object loan shows. The Senior Curator will collaborate closely with artists and their representatives, collectors, donors, and internal teams to advance Storm King’s mission as a leading destination in the field of art in nature.

Responsibilities

Curatorial Vision and Program Development

•       Conceptualize, develop, and execute exhibitions, temporary projects, and site-specific permanent commissions across Storm King’s grounds and in its Museum Building.
•       Represent the Curatorial needs of Storm King within the context of cross-departmental strategic planning. 
•       Develop a medium and long-term curatorial plan that balances acquisitions, exhibitions, and rotating installations, including the consistent updating and development of a multi-year exhibitions program and planning for new spaces created by Storm King’s 2025 capital project. Develop and supervise realistic departmental budgets, assess project and exhibition proposals from curatorial team, and delegate responsibilities and projects to curatorial staff members.
•       Build upon, cultivate, and forge new relationships with an innovative and diverse group of artists relevant to Storm King’s program.
•       Commission new works that sit in conversation with Storm King’s landscape and history.
•       In partnership with exhibitions team and registrar, project manage the development of new commissions, including partnering with artists to consider the feasibility of new proposals, developing contracts, sourcing vendors (including engineers, fabricators, installers, etc.),  and more to realize complex multi-work exhibitions and new site-specific outdoor sculptures. Mentor curatorial staff members on projects for which they serve as project manager.

Collection Stewardship

•       Lead the strategy for and planning of acquisitions, as well as the research, publication, care, and promotion of the collection.
•       Collaborate with the Executive Director and Collections & Acquisitions Committee to identify and acquire outstanding works of art for the collection. 
•       Collaborate and provide guidance to the planning of conservation, fabrication, installation and deinstallation of works of art, and all art conservation efforts.
•       Collaborate with the exhibitions team to ensure that art and landscape are productively considered together.

Audience Development and Community

•       Be a public spokesperson externally representing Storm King’s mission, vision, history, and artistic program.
•       Represent Storm King in the cultural community locally as well as in New York City and nationally.
•       Give public tours.
•       Foster partnerships with museums, galleries, universities, and other cultural institutions for collaborative programs and exhibitions.
•       Contribute to content development for Storm King’s social media and website.

Artist and Art World Engagement

•       Develop and maintain strong relationships with artists, museum colleagues, collectors, and art dealers. 
•       Serve as liaison with outside persons and organizations, and with other departments within the Art Center, including VIPs, donors, Trustees, and artists.
•       Provide support where possible to the larger community of museums, botanic gardens, and universities.

Research and Scholarship

•       Represent Storm King as an important thought leader internationally, particularly within the field of outdoor sculpture
•       Keep informed of current activity in contemporary art and sculpture through gallery and museum visits, publications, etc.; make recommendations to the Executive Director and the Collections & Acquisitions Committee. 
•       Write and edit art historical texts for publications, object labels and press. 
•       Represent Storm King in speaking engagements hosted both internally and externally.
•       Provide support to artists through art schools and residencies.

Public Programming

•       Work with the Learning & Engagement team to conceptualize and create educational plans and materials for education of the general public as well as employees and docents.
•       Partner with the Director of Learning & Engagement as well as the Director of Partnerships & Events to create an appropriate program of events (including performances and artist talks) that broaden visitor engagement with contemporary art.

Leadership and Management

•       Develop and maintain relationships with members of the Board of Trustees, collectors, and supporters
•       Partner with the Development team to strategize on and execute fundraising plans related to the artistic program.
•       Collaborate with Senior Staff and the Board of Trustees on strategic planning and institutional initiatives.
•       Mentor & foster professional development for a high-performing team. 
•       Manage curatorial budgets.

Skills & Qualifications

•       Master’s degree, PhD, or equivalent in Art History or related field required.
•       10+ years of curatorial experience working in a collecting institution, with a demonstrated focus on sculpture from 1960 to today.
•       Strong understanding of and ability to implement best practices regarding collection stewardship.
•       Excellent research and writing skills, including demonstrated scholarship & publication history on the topic of modern & contemporary art.
•       Proven experience commissioning new works.
•       Excellent project management, communication, and leadership skills.
•       Demonstrated success cultivating donors and partnering on fundraising efforts.
•       Knowledge of the market for modern and contemporary sculpture.
•       Proficiency managing department and project budgets.
•       A strong belief in Storm King’s mission and vision, and the ability to articulate this in a persuasive and inspiring manner. 
•       Demonstrated passion for the visual arts, with a strong commitment to making art collections more accessible and meaningful to the general public.
•       Ability to represent Storm King and its mission to a wide external audience; communicate effectively and interact with all levels of staff as well as artists, the public and visitors in a positive, professional, and friendly manner.  
•       A sincere commitment to the engagement of audiences of all ages and levels of experience around an art program.
•       Proven capability to work on multiple projects simultaneously meeting deadlines; making sound judgments and decisions.
•       Experience with safeguarding confidential information and performing with a high level of discretion, professionalism, and integrity.
•       Knowledge of ethics and best practices for the museum field, and able to ensure that Storm King maintains a deep knowledge of best practices moving forward.
•       Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.

Working Environment

• Works primarily in an office environment
• Ability to maneuver outdoors, in all weather conditions, on 500 acres of hills, grass, and gravel pathways
• Ability to stand or walk for long periods of time during events or tours
• Frequently sits for long periods of time
• Frequently speaks, reads, writes and uses a computer keyboard
• Occasional lifting, stooping, or bending
• Requires some time outside of normal business hours, including weekend work, special events and exhibition openings
• Requires regular travel to the tri-state area and NYC, and on occasion nationally and internationally 

Hours/Schedules

This position is full-time, exempt.

Typical work hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Schedules may vary based on seasonality and organizational needs.

Benefits and Salary

Storm King Art Center offers a collaborative and supportive environment where employees can thrive. Our benefits package reflects our commitment to work-life balance and includes comprehensive health benefits, retirement savings, and resources to support your well-being.

Salary Range: $120,000 - $140,000 annually
Work Environment: Hybrid

Why Join Us?

At Storm King, we believe in nurturing our people as much as we do our art and land. Here’s what you can expect:

Collaborative and Inclusive Culture: Work in an environment that values each team member’s perspective, celebrates diversity, and fosters a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration.
Professional Growth: With a focus on innovation, we support your development through ongoing training, mentoring, and opportunities to enhance your skills.
Flexibility and Balance: Enjoy a work environment that promotes work-life balance, with flexibility to meet both professional and personal needs.
Comprehensive Benefits: We offer a generous benefits package that reflects our commitment to the well-being of our team.

How to Apply

To be considered for this role, please submit your cover letter and resume. We’re excited to meet individuals who are passionate about creating a positive impact in the workplace and contributing to Storm King’s participation and prominence in the field of art and nature. Only those being considered will be contacted. No phone inquiries, please.

This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position.  There may be unplanned activities and other duties as assigned.            

Storm King Art Center is dedicated to creating a workplace that reflects our values of accessibility, inclusion, and respect for all. We are an equal opportunity employer and make employment decisions based on merit, without regard to protected characteristics.

Storm King Art Center does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other related consideration.