Peter Jay Sharp, Class of 1952, Curator and Lecturer in the Art of the Ancient Americas

Hamilton College; Paramus (NJ); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Curator for the Art of the Ancient Americas. This pivotal role involves shaping the display and interpretation of a remarkable collection, leading exhibitions, and engaging in scholarly research. The Curator will collaborate with a dynamic team, mentor students, and ensure ethical practices in cultural property. With the Museum's exciting new building set to open in 2025, this is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in the art world. If you possess a PhD and a dedication to ancient art, this role offers the chance to contribute to a vibrant public-facing institution.

Qualifications

• PhD required; 4+ years of curatorial experience and strong publication record.
• Network across collectors and museums in US and Latin America essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead gallery installations, exhibitions, and research for Ancient Americas collections.
• Teach in the Department of Art and Archaeology and/or Latin American Studies.

Skills

Expertise in ancient Americas art

Research and scholarly publication

Collaborative skills

Teaching abilities

Cultural property law knowledge

Education

PhD in art history, anthropology, or related field

Job description

The Princeton University Art Museum welcomes applications for the next Peter Jay Sharp, Class of 1952, Curator and Lecturer in the Art of the Ancient Americas. The Curator will shape the display, interpretation, growth, and care of the Museum’s Art of the Ancient Americas collections. As the Museum prepares to open a dramatically reconceived new building in the fall of 2025, the Curator will lead gallery installations, exhibitions, publications, research, acquisitions, and provenance research for the Ancient Americas collections. The Curator will also teach regularly in the Department of Art and Archaeology and/or the Program in Latin American Studies.

With nearly 5,000 works spanning over 4,000 years of artistic production, the Museum’s vast holdings in this area include hallmark examples of stone carving, metalwork, ceramics, and textiles from ancient Indigenous cultures of North, Central, and South America, including masterpieces of Olmec ceramics and jades as well as Maya Jaina figures. The position offers an exceptional opportunity to build on one of the finest collections in the country and position the Museum as a center for scholarly inquiry.

The successful candidate will have expertise in the art of the ancient Americas, an interest in Latin American art after 1600, and the enthusiasm to collaborate broadly across collection areas. Working within a team environment, the Curator will partner with conservators and educators, supervise research assistants, and mentor interns and students. They will prioritize the Museum’s commitment to cultural property law, ethics, research, and transparency, working closely with the Curator of Provenance; will serve as a voice on campus in discussions about collecting histories; and will create partnerships with descendant communities and research institutions in Latin America. The Curator will embrace the possibilities of a public-facing museum and will communicate effectively with both scholarly and broad audiences.

A PhD in art history, anthropology, or a related field is required for this position. Applicants must have at least four years’ curatorial experience; a strong record of scholarly publications; and a growing network across collectors and museums in the US and Latin America. Familiarity with donor engagement and collections management and proven teaching abilities are essential. Appointment level (associate/full curator) and salary will be commensurate with experience.

The work location for this position is in-person on campus at Princeton University. To learn more, please visit the museum's website.

This position is subject to the University’s background check policy.

Contact: Applicants must apply online at the application portal and submit a resume and a cover letter addressing their interest and qualifications for the position and at least three references.

Posting Date: 02/26/2025

Closing Date: 05/26/2025