Job Description

The Cedarburg Art Museum is hiring:

Curator

About Cedarburg

The City of Cedarburg is a charming historic community that dates to 1860, and boasts itself as one of only three of the original artist colonies in the State of Wisconsin. Cedarburg has a population of about 13,000, and is located approximately 20 miles north of Milwaukee. The Cedarburg School District frequently appears on lists of the best schools in the State. The City hosts five weekend festivals, including Winter Festival in February, Strawberry Festival in June, Wine and Harvest Festival in September, and German-themed Oktoberfest in October, as well as Christmas events in November and December.

About the Cedarburg Art Museum

The Cedarburg Art Museum, located in the historic 1898 Wittenberg-Jochem Mansion, is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting the art of Wisconsin, with a special emphasis on Cedarburg and its surrounding areas. The mission and vision of the Cedarburg Art Museum is to be a preferred destination that celebrates creative expression of the arts in a historic and culturally vibrant environment, inspiring future talent and fostering a rich, cultural center forged in tradition, family, and community.

About the Position

The Curator at the Cedarburg Art Museum plays a central role in advancing the Museum’s mission to collect, preserve, and celebrate the art and artists of Wisconsin. This position is responsible for managing the Museum’s permanent collection, organizing exhibitions, and ensuring high standards of care, documentation, and presentation. The Curator works collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community partners to interpret the Museum’s collections for diverse audiences, develop engaging public programs, and contribute to fundraising and outreach initiatives. This is both a creative and administrative role requiring strong curatorial vision, scholarly integrity, and a commitment to fostering meaningful connections between art, history, and the Cedarburg community.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Exhibition Planning and Development

• Research, plan, and organize exhibitions that highlight local and regional artists, both historic and contemporary, including at least one exhibition that is deemed to be of major significance to the art community.
• Develop exhibition concepts that align with the Museum’s mission and appeal to diverse audiences.
• Coordinate with artists, collectors, and lenders to secure artworks for exhibition.
• Prepare exhibition checklists, condition reports, and related documentation.
• Oversee exhibition design, layout, and installation in collaboration with preparators and volunteers.

2. Collections Management

• Maintain accurate records and documentation for the Museum’s permanent collection using approved collections management software.
• Oversee accessioning, cataloging, and conservation efforts.
• Monitor environmental conditions to ensure proper care of artworks.
• Recommend acquisitions, deaccessions, and conservation priorities to the Executive Director and Board Collections Committee.

3. Research and Interpretation

• Conduct scholarly research on artists and artworks represented in the collection and exhibitions.
• Write exhibition labels, catalog essays, and interpretive materials for visitors.
• Contribute to museum publications, newsletters, and website content related to exhibitions and collections.

4. Education and Community Engagement

• Collaborate with education and programming staff (or volunteers) to develop interpretive programs, lectures, and gallery talks.
• Engage with local artists, educators, and community groups to build partnerships.
• Serve as a resource to docents and volunteers, providing training and interpretive support.
• Lead efforts to market the History of Wisconsin Art: A Creative Place, and use it as a tool for education and as a basis for at least one exhibition theme per year.

5. Administration and Collaboration

• Develop and manage exhibition and collections budgets in consultation with the Executive Director.
• Prepare reports and presentations for board committees and grant funders.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, create, identify, propose, promote, and solicit exhibition grants and sponsorships from businesses, organizations, and individuals that align with the Museum’s mission.
• Supervise interns, contract preparators, and volunteers working on curatorial projects.

6. Public Representation

• Serve as a professional representative of the Museum within the local arts community.
• Attend exhibition openings, donor events, and community functions.
• Promote the Museum’s mission through public speaking, media interviews, and community engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 3–5 years of curatorial experience, ideally in a small or regional art museum.
• Knowledge of Wisconsin art history and the contemporary art scene is strongly preferred.
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small, team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency with museum collections databases and digital imaging tools.

Relationships

The Curator reports directly to the Executive Director and works collaboratively as a peer with the Director of Operations and Communication and the Program Coordinator. The Curator will supervise the work of interns and volunteers in the execution of the organization’s mission.

Salary & Benefits

· Full-time, exempt, market-competitive, salaried position.

· The Cedarburg Art Museum does not offer benefits at this time.

To Apply

Submit a cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references to the Executive Director at j.bauer@cedarburgartmuseum.org. Preference will be given to candidates who submit before January 1, 2025; however, the position will remain open until filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $43,642.19 - $52,558.34 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

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