Curator of Collections & Exhibitions

SUMMARY

Under general supervision, the curator of collections and exhibitions will develop exhibitions for a diverse audience, maintain and secure the museum collection, support educational programming, and assist with research requests at Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society (NCHGS) to include the Sigal Museum, three historic structures, and Kressler Garden.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Location: Easton, Pennsylvania

Position Title: Curator of Collections & Exhibitions

Company Name: Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society

Job Function: Curator

Job Type: Full-Time (32hrs/week) at will, exempt

Min Education: MA or BA/BS with commensurate experience in collections management, curation, museum studies, conservation, preservation, archives, and/or exhibit design.

Min Experience: 3-5 Years

Required Travel: 10-20%

Compensation: $40,000 annual salary, medical insurance or health insurance stipend, including dental and vision (for employee only), 10 observed holidays, 5 vacation days, personal days (one every two months) sick days (one every two months).
Remote work is allowed when appropriate.

Reports to:  Executive Director 

Applications accepted until: April 27, 2021; interviews start immediately. 

ABOUT NCHGS
Established in 1906, NCHGS is Northampton County, Pennsylvania’s leading institution of local history and is home to significant collections of pre-European settlement artifacts, decorative arts, textiles, farming implements, colonial furniture, and the award-winning Destination: Northampton County exhibition which celebrates immigration, diversity, and community building. The Sigal Museum opened in the summer of 2010, offering guests interactive exhibits, self-guided and docent-led tours, special children’s programs, and a lecture series on local and American history. It is one of four museums and historic sites operated by Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society in historic downtown Easton. The Sigal Museum is also home to the Jane S. Moyer Library, which provides a wealth of resources for students, scholars, and genealogical researchers.

The Charles Chrin Gallery at Sigal Museum serves as a showcase for rotating special exhibits that highlight collections of Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society and its partners. The upcoming Sigal Museum Family Room of hands-on, interactive history will host school groups and family activities, as well as Cops ‘N’ Kids Reading Room literacy programs.

NCHGS collaborates actively with local cultural and community organizations to enrich its exhibitions, programs, and events, and to enhance the quality of life in the Lehigh Valley. Groups include the NAACP, churches, temples, synagogues, LGBTQ+ community centers, institutions of higher learning, and many more. NCHGS is also the leader of the Lehigh Valley Passport to History group, a partnership of 40 museums, historical societies, and cultural organizations who have banded together to share resources.

Our Mission: We share the stories of Northampton County’s past to encourage personal reflection, community dialogue, and an understanding of history’s impact on our lives.

Our Vision: Through exploring local history, we will foster a more respectful, caring, and inclusive community.
 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

COLLECTION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assess and monitor the current state of the collections at all locations.
• Oversee and conduct museum collection acquisitions, cataloging, preservation, maintenance, exhibition, and interpretation with an emphasis on the existing collection at Sigal Museum, 1753 Bachmann Publick House, 1807 Jacob Nicholas House, and 1833 Mixsell-Illick House, and Kressler Garden.
• Manages the upkeep, cleanliness, and rotation of objects in the permanent museum galleries, as well as a schedule of rotating exhibits at all locations.
• Develop a collections cleaning schedule at all locations.
• Assist volunteer librarians and researchers with queries, provide reference services, and perform all facets of archival work.
• Processes incoming and existing collections and loans according to professional standards, including cleaning, documenting, and properly storing.
• Manage reproduction requests and other inquiries regarding the collection.
• Assists education staff in the development of educational programs for all ages, including providing occasional talks and tours for visiting groups.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

EXHIBITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research, design, create, fabricate, maintain, and install changing exhibitions that make the collections accessible to the general public, educate, and share compelling stories.
• Work with staff to create a five-year schedule of exhibitions.
• Coordinate exhibit projects and scheduling, label and panel creation, as well as outside contractors involved with exhibition installation.
• Oversees curatorial and collections budget.
• Assist with exhibition-related marketing and social media content.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

VOLUNTEER/INTERN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee and manage the NCHGS Collections Committee, scheduling meetings and projects.
• Recruit, train, supervise, and manage volunteers and interns to help with collection management, library and archival research needs, exhibition support, and other strategic needs.
• Collaborate with gift shop volunteers to develop exhibition-related materials for sale.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

• Support the mission and vision of NCHGS as a collaborative team player and successfully represent NCHGS at networking events, meetings, and at professional presentations.

• Knowledge of current best practices and procedures for collections and historic site management including museum ethics.
• Respect the diversity, equality, and dignity of all persons.
• Provide proactive and excellent written and oral communication including but not limited to, effectively listening to staff, members, donors, visitors, community members, and researchers, providing timely and accurate information, offering solutions, and ensuring follow up.
• General knowledge of American, Pennsylvanian, and/or local history.
• Knowledge of museum/archival software (PastPerfect preferred).
• Skilled in standard office equipment. Experience with computer design programs (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop) is a plus.
• Knowledge of digitizing museum collections.
• Ability to assist in researching, writing, and managing grants.

• Work with staff to support the NCHGS strategic plan and collections management plan.
• Offer excellent research, writing, and project management skills.
• Actively monitor the community for interests to inform future exhibitions and collaborations.
• Capable of seeing, walking, standing, and lifting up to 40 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. PPE must be worn when applicable. Must possess a valid driver’s license throughout employment. Must successfully pass all required child abuse and background checks

 

 

The work of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance is made possible through the generous support of committed individuals and institutions.