Associate Curator

denver; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Denver Public Library is seeking two term-limited Associate Curators to join the Museum Services team in developing exhibits and public-facing experiences that explore our collections, center community voices, foster curiosity, and advance equity.

You will collaborate across DPL to organize, design, and install exhibits at the Central Library, Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, and branch locations, supporting free public access to Colorado and the American West’s cultural

Qualifications

• Conduct curatorial research for a variety of history, art, and cultural exhibits.
• Develop exhibit concepts that ask open-ended questions and invite visitors into collaborative knowledge-building.
• Write visitor-centered in-gallery text and interpretive resources that are well-researched, factual, welcoming, accessible, and foster curiosity

Responsibilities

• Conduct curatorial research for a variety of history, art, and cultural exhibits.
• Develop exhibit concepts that ask open-ended questions and invite visitors into collaborative knowledge-building.
• Write visitor-centered in-gallery text and interpretive resources that are well-researched, factual, welcoming, accessible, and foster curiosity
• Work with the Museum Services team to plan, organize, design, and install exhibits at multiple library locations.

Skills

Curatorial research

Exhibit development

Community engagement

Public communication

Job description

About Our Job

The Denver Public Library (DPL) isn't just a place to borrow books; it's a vibrant, essential hub for our diverse city. As a growing urban library system with 28 locations and over 4 million annual visitors , we're deeply woven into the fabric of Denver.

Join a team where your values align with your work. At the Denver Public Library, we're not just serving our community; we're building a culture guided by values that empower both our staff and the public.

Welcoming: We make our resources, services, and expertise accessible for all, recognize the inherent dignity in each person, and provide safe places where everyone can be themselves.

Curiosity: We foster a culture of exploration, innovation, and forward thinking by creating environments that support learning and growth.

Connection: We foster relationships, listen and act to build and strengthen our community. We bring people together to share information, ideas, and experiences.

Equity: We work to change inequitable practices, structures and policies, and attitudes that drive them, to provide opportunities for every person in our community to thrive. As we do so, we actively examine our roles in perpetuating oppressive systems.

Stewardship: We are accountable to our community, using our resources responsibly. We lead with honesty and integrity, protect privacy and preserve and share the full history of our Denver community.

If you're passionate about service, community engagement, and creating positive change, we invite you to explore career opportunities with us. Come join a team that believes in the power of knowledge, connection, and equity.

Unrivaled Benefits

The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience.

We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but is not limited to:

• Four (4) Medical Plans, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Pension Plan for Life (employee contributes 8.45%, employer contributes 17.95%) and 457 (b) Retirement Plan
• PTO (over 3 weeks in your first year), quarterly wellness hours, and 12 paid holidays
• CARE Bank, Family Leave Benefits
• Enhanced Work/Life Balance: Employee Assistance Program (6 counseling sessions per year, legal assistance, financial counseling, discounted recreation center passes), Employee Volunteer Program
• Professional Learning and Development Opportunities; Courses and Career Development Resources ; Education Refund Program
• EcoPass (unlimited free RTD bus/train rides)

For more information please visit our website.

About Our Team

The Special Collections and Archives (SCA) unit comprises two archival repositories, located at the Central Library and the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. Our team of over twenty-five librarians, archivists, and paraprofessionals are committed to exceptional access, preservation, and customer service for our world-class collections. SCA focuses on key collecting areas including the history of the American West, African American history, Western American art, genealogy, rare books, conservation, maps, Colorado and Denver-focused history, and more.

Within SCA, the Museum Services team provides free, public access to engage visitors with the rich history of Colorado and the American West through exhibits, objects, artwork, and archival materials.

About Our Position

We are seeking two term-limited Associate Curators to join our Museum Services team in developing exhibits and public-facing experiences that explore our collections, center community voices, foster curiosity, and advance equity. You will work at the intersection of museums, library services, community engagement, and exhibition practice to create experiences that invite visitors into conversation with history, art, and culture. Under the direction of the Curator, the Associate Curators will be essential in expanding and establishing this team's services.

You will conduct research, develop curatorial projects, and collaborate across DPL to organize, design, and install exhibits at the Central Library, Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, and branch locations. Your work will directly support our mission to provide free public access to the rich cultural heritage of Colorado and the American West while ensuring diverse communities see themselves reflected in our collections and exhibits.

As an Associate Curator, you will collaboratively administer all aspects of exhibits and temporary installations from conception through completion. The program themes and content must meet the library's standards for high-quality visitor experiences.

• Conduct curatorial research for a variety of history, art, and cultural exhibits
• Develop exhibit concepts that ask open-ended questions and invite visitors into collaborative knowledge-building
• Write visitor-centered in-gallery text and interpretive resources that are well-researched, factual, welcoming, accessible, and foster curiosity
• Work with the