Associate Curator

City and County of Denver; United States; On-site; USD 64,000 - 84,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan for life

Paid time off

Educational & development programs

RTD EcoPass

Job summary

Denver Public Library seeks two term-limited Associate Curators to develop exhibits and public-facing experiences that center community voices and advance equity. You will research, develop curatorial projects, and collaborate across DPL to design and install exhibits at multiple library locations.

Join a team examining history and culture through engaging displays, while partnering with donors and local organizations to broaden impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field as required.
• Three years of professional or technical experience planning exhibit programs or working on exhibits.
• Substitutions: one year of experience may substitute for each required year of post-high school education.
• Preferred: advanced degree in related field.

Responsibilities

• Conduct curatorial research for history, art, and cultural exhibits.
• Develop exhibit concepts that invite open-ended questions.
• Write visitor-centered in-gallery text and interpretive resources.
• Lead and collaborate with branch staff on installations and de-installations.
• Manage exhibition projects from design to completion.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Arts Administration, Public History, American Studies, Ethnic Studies, or closely related field

Master's or Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Arts Administration, Public History, American Studies, Ethnic Studies, or closely related field

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 are neighbors. 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.

• 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 Museum Services team to create welcoming and informative graphics for display

Manage exhibition projects from design phase through implementation, maintenance, and closing

Lead and collaborate with DPL branch staff in installations and de‑installations

Handle art and artifact installation following professional museum standards

Conduct site visits and assessments for exhibition spaces across DPL locations

Troubleshoot technical issues and adapt to changing conditions during installation

Build and maintain relationships with local and regional partners including museums, artists, universities, galleries, cultural organizations, historical societies, and community groups

Partner with donors, nonprofit organizations, businesses, private collectors, government agencies, colleges, and artists to accomplish curatorial vision

Work with communities to ensure their stories are told by their members

Lead public exhibit tours and collaboratively facilitate public programs that engage visitors with exhibit themes

Research and identify potential new acquisition opportunities that address collection diversity and equity, with documentation of recommendations

Oversee art and artifact handling with attention to preservation and professional standards

Complete condition reports for collection objects used for exhibits

Ensure proper storage and display conditions to preserve collections for future generations

Maintain accurate records including storage and display locations to ease public access

What You Would Bring

We're looking for someone who is passionate about public service, committed to equity and inclusion, and excited to reimagine what museum practice can look like in a library setting. You will bring both curatorial expertise and a collaborative spirit to the Museum Services team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Arts Administration, Public History, American Studies, Ethnic Studies, or closely related field
• Three years of professional or technical level experience planning the administrative aspects of exhibit programs or working on exhibits in a museum, historic institution, library, cultural center, or related organization
• Substitutions: One year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post‑high school education.
• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Arts Administration, Public History, American Studies, Ethnic Studies, or closely related field
• Background in exhibit maintenance and installation techniques
• Proven experience in the development of both permanent and temporary exhibits for a gallery, museum, library, or related institution
• Experience project managing exhibits from design phase through implementation and closing
• Project management experience including monitoring budgets, developing contracts, tracking timelines, problem‑solving, and coordinating the work of staff, contractors, and volunteers
• Experience in participatory or community‑engaged exhibit practice and/or working with diverse communities and centering marginalized voices in exhibits or public programming
• Experience conducting collection assessments through an equity lens

Work Environment & Location

The Denver Public Library's branches are the arms to the community—each a unique reflection of the dynamic, diverse communities we serve. At DPL, we pride ourselves on showing up and providing support whenever there is a need. While you may be hired for a specific location, please know that we are hiring with the expectation that at any time, you may be required to work at any one of our branches based on operational needs. This allows our staff to experience the full breadth of Denver's communities and ensures we consistently deliver the highest level of service across our branches. Additionally, DPL employees may be redeployed to work in other locations or capacities to support core functions of the library system during branch closures or other emergencies. This position is based out of the Central Library in the Civic Center area of downtown Denver and parking is not subsidized by DPL.

Application & Additional Info

Ensure that the 'Work Experience' section of the application is complete and contains all relevant work experience related to the position that you are applying for.

Job postings will close at 12AM on the posted ending date.

Offer of employment contingent upon successful completion of criminal history and employment verification.

All Denver Public Library employees must apply through their internal profile.

About Everything Else Job Profile

Job Profile LQ3603 Curator

Position Type Limited (Fixed Term)

Library Hiring Range $63,679.00 - $84,375.00

Target Pay Agency Denver Public Library

Assessment Requirement

The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law. It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability‑related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact [e-mail] with three business days’ notice. Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. For information about right to work, for English or for Spanish. With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. See yourself experiencing growth and balance. See yourself being respected and valued. See yourself belonging here.