Chief Curator of Drawings, Menil Drawing Institute

Menil; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

401(k) plan

Job summary

The Menil Drawing Institute seeks a visionary Chief Curator of Drawings to lead programming, collection growth, and the administration of the institute. Reporting to the Director of the Menil Collection, this role oversees exhibitions, catalogues, and donor relations, shaping the institute's international reputation.

Required are an advanced degree in Art History (PhD preferred), 10 years in curatorial leadership, and 5+ years managing staff, with a strong track record in research, publications,

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Art History (PhD strongly preferred) with specialization in drawings and 20th-century/contemporary art.
• International reputation for work with drawings.
• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in a curatorial role with exhibitions and publications.
• 5+ years of managing and mentoring full-time staff.
• Thorough knowledge of current best practices for museums and emerging trends.
• Passionate and energetic individual with the ability to manage, research, and develop a major collection.
• Experience cultivating and stewarding donors and advancing philanthropic support.
• Ability to engage diverse audiences and build public relationships for the Menil Collection.
• Strong research, writing, and communication skills for engaging content.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills to balance priorities.
• Ability to serve as spokesperson for the Menil Drawing Institute.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and credibility.

Responsibilities

• Manage the drawings collection, including storage, conservation, and research integration into exhibitions and publications.
• Organize exhibitions at the Menil Drawing Institute and conceptualize future programs.
• Conceive and produce catalogues and related materials; edit publications.
• Oversee the Menil Drawing Institute Committee and annual exhibition summaries.
• Serve as spokesperson and respond to public inquiries about the collection and exhibitions.
• Communicate the Institute's goals and programs clearly internally and externally.
• Develop the Institute as a research resource for scholars and oversee academic outreach.
• Foster collaborations with national and international museums and cultural organizations.

Skills

International reputation

Curatorial leadership

Staff management

Fundraising

Audience engagement

Research writing

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Project management

Integrity

Education

Advanced degree in Art History

Job description

Chief Curator of Drawings, Menil Drawing Institute

Title

Chief Curator of Drawings, Menil Drawing Institute

Department

Curatorial

Reports to

Director, Menil Collection

Status

Full-time; exempt from overtime

Work location

On-site

Salary range

$145,000–$170,000 annually

General Responsibilities

The Chief Curator of Drawings, Menil Drawing Institute, is responsible for exhibition programming, collection growth, and the management of the Menil’s drawing collection, as well as the Menil Drawing Institute’s overall operations and administration. Through ambitious scholarship, original research, and innovative curatorial initiatives, the Chief Curator shall strengthen the Menil Drawing Institute’s international reputation as a leading center for the study, exhibition, and appreciation of drawings.

Specific Duties

1. Manage the drawings collection, including overseeing appropriate storage and conservation needs, conducting and supporting research on the collection, and incorporating new findings and information into exhibitions, publications, and the museum’s database and website.

2. Organize exhibitions to be presented at the Menil Drawing Institute and conceptualize future exhibition programs.

3. Conceive and produce Menil Drawing Institute catalogues and brochures and any materials related to the drawings collection and exhibitions; edit Menil publications related to the drawing collection and exhibitions.

4. Oversee the Menil Drawing Institute Committee.

5. Write an annual summary of Menil Drawing Institute exhibitions, programming, and activities.

6. Serve as spokesperson for the Menil Drawing Institute and its collection and exhibitions. Respond to public inquiries as they relate to the drawings collection and exhibitions.

7. Hold primary responsibility, both internally and externally, for clearly communicating the Menil Drawing Institute’s goals and programs.

8. Continue to develop the Menil Drawing Institute as a research resource for local, national, and international scholars, and oversee the Menil Drawing Institute’s academic outreach efforts.

9. Foster collaborative projects within the Menil and with national/international museums and related cultural and educational organizations.

10. Oversee the Menil Drawing Institute’s efforts to cultivate and steward relationships with living artists.

11. Oversee and manage the fellowship program (Pre-doctoral Fellow, Research Fellow, and Menil-Morgan Research Fellow) at the Menil Drawing Institute.

12. Help guide the work of the Menil Drawing Institute’s Pre-Doctoral, Research, and Menil-Morgan Research Fellows.

13. Act as a senior leader within the Menil Collection, adding expertise, guidance, and collegial participation in the discussion, formulation, and implementation of policies, procedures, and activities of the organization.

14. Work with the Advancement Department to fundraise for the Menil Drawing Institute exhibitions and drawing acquisitions and to cultivate donors.

15. Develop and manage the Menil Drawing Institute’s departmental budget in coordination with the Menil Collection’s Exhibitions Manager.

The Chief Curator of Drawings, Menil Drawing Institute, supervises the Associate Curator, Menil Drawing Institute; the Assistant Curator, Menil Drawing Institute; and the Administrative Assistant/Associate, Menil Drawing Institute. The Chief Curator of Drawings works closely and collaboratively with other museum staff, especially those who work in the Menil Drawing Institute building, including the Paper Conservator, Registrars, and Art Preparator. The Chief Curator of Drawings leads monthly Menil Drawing Institute meetings to foster communication, coordination, and unity of purpose.

Qualifications

1. An advanced degree in Art History (PhD strongly preferred) with specialization in drawings and 20th-century and contemporary art.

2. An international reputation for work with drawings.

3. 10 years of progressively responsible experience in a curatorial role, with a clear record of engaging exhibitions and scholarly publications.

4. 5+ years managing and mentoring full-time staff.

5. Thorough knowledge of current best practices for museums as well as emerging trends in the field.

6. Must be a passionate and energetic individual with the ability to manage, research, position, exhibit, and develop an important collection.

7. Demonstrated experience cultivating and stewarding donors, building strong relationships, and advancing philanthropic support for the collection is required.

8. Demonstrated interest and ability to engage diverse audiences with the collection, while cultivating a positive public profile and fostering strong relationships on behalf of the Menil Collection.

9. Must have strong research, writing, and communication skills, with the ability to translate scholarly research into engaging content for specialized and general audiences alike.

10. Must demonstrate strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to balance long-term collection priorities with exhibitions, research, programs, and institutional initiatives.

11. The ability to serve as spokesperson for the Menil Drawing Institute, effectively communicating the Menil Drawing Institute’s mission and goals both internally and externally.

12. Must demonstrate a high level of integrity, professionalism, and credibility.

1. Strategic thinker and a clear communicator.

2. Adapts and innovates – remains resilient, flexible, and open to new ideas and change. 3. Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and authenticity.

4. Develops talent by effectively managing the department to meet the Menil’s goals, objectives, and budgets.

5. Determines objectives and goals and develops plans to achieve those goals.

6. Demonstrated leadership and staff-management experience are essential, with particular emphasis on effectively supervising, mentoring, and developing employees.

About the Menil Drawing Institute

The Menil Drawing Institute program was established in 2008 in recognition of drawing’s centrality in the lives of artists and its crucial role in modern and contemporary artistic culture. An integral part of the Menil Collection, the program aims to foster scholarship and the public appreciation of drawing as an art form. An annual site-specific commission, the Wall Drawing Series, began in 2018 as part of the Menil’s commitment to exploring new approaches to the form and language of drawing.

The Menil Drawing Institute has an international profile as an important center for the collection, display, study, conservation, and storage of modern and contemporary drawings. The Menil’s drawing collection comprises some 3,500 works. The museum is actively expanding its holdings, which range from the 16th century to today, although it focuses largely on 20th- and 21st-century drawings.

The position includes a comprehensive benefits package with paid vacation, sick time, and holidays; medical and dental insurance; life insurance; AD&D; short-term disability and longterm disability coverage. Employees may also participate in the Menil's 401(k) plan and receive an employer contribution equivalent to 5% of wages earned after one year on the job.

The Menil Collection is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks a diverse workforce. The Menil is committed to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.