Senior Curator

National Museum of Wildlife Art; Mount Pleasant (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, SC, seeks a Curator to provide strategic leadership for the museum's collections, exhibitions, and interpretive programming. You will ensure high standards of collections care and preservation while developing engaging exhibits, tours, and public content that support Patriots Point's mission.

The Curator collaborates across departments to enhance visitor experience through thoughtful interpretation, strategic planning, and innovative

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, History, Public History, Anthropology, Art History, or a closely related field.
• Progressive professional experience in museum collections management, curation, or exhibition development.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of museum standards, collections care, conservation principles, and registration practices.
• Strong research, writing, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in executing public engagement and programming.

Responsibilities

• Lead stewardship, preservation, and long‑term care of the museum collections and archives.
• Oversee acquisitions, accessions, cataloging, conservation, storage, and emergency preparedness.
• Ensure compliance with museum best practices and state regulations.
• Assess exhibits and tour routes to maintain quality and preservation standards.
• Develop and implement curatorial vision aligned with Master Plan.
• Research, select, and interpret artifacts for various exhibitions.
• Create engaging exhibit content that is accurate, accessible, and visitor-focused.
• Collaborate with historians to ensure interpretive accuracy and relevance.
• Manage exhibition projects from concept through installation with the exhibits team.
• Develop and assist with high‑quality collection tours and programs for diverse audiences.
• Expand public access to collections through physical and digital initiatives.
• Represent the museum in matters related to collections, exhibitions, and acquisitions.
• Support educational programming and initiatives that enhance visitor engagement.
• Establish work priorities, monitor project progress, and foster collaboration.

Skills

Research

Writing

Organizational skills

Project management

Interpersonal communication

Strategic planning

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies or related field

Job description

The Curator provides strategic leadership for the museum's collections, exhibitions, and interpretive programming. This position is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of collections management and preservation while developing engaging exhibitions, tours, and public-facing content that support Patriots Point's mission.

The Curator works collaboratively across departments to enhance the visitor experience through thoughtful interpretation, strategic planning, and innovative exhibit development. This role also oversees projects related to collections care, exhibitions, and public engagement.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Collections & Stewardship

• Lead the stewardship, preservation, and long-term care of Patriots Point's museum collections and archives.
• Oversee acquisitions, accessions, cataloging, conservation, storage, integrated pest management, and emergency preparedness.
• Ensure compliance with museum best practices, agency policies, and applicable state regulations.
• Conduct regular assessments of exhibits and tour routes to assist in maintaining quality and preservation standards.

Exhibition Development & Curation

• Develop and implement the museum's curatorial vision in alignment with the Museum Master Plan.
• Research, select, and interpret artifacts for permanent, temporary, and digital exhibitions.
• Create engaging exhibit content that is historically accurate, accessible, and visitor focused.
• Collaborate with the agency's historian to ensure interpretive accuracy and relevance.
• Manage exhibition projects from concept through installation while collaborating with the exhibits team.

Public Engagement

• Develop and assist with high-quality collection tours and specialty programs for diverse audiences.
• Expand public access to the museum's collections through physical and digital initiatives.
• Represent Patriots Point in matters relating to collections, exhibitions, and acquisitions.
• Support educational programming and initiatives that enhance visitor engagement.

Leadership

• Establish work priorities and monitor project progress.
• Foster collaboration, professional development, and a positive team environment.
• Implement agency policies and performance management processes.

REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree in Museum Studies, History, Public History, Anthropology, Art History, or a closely related field.
• Progressive professional experience in museum collections management, curation, or exhibition development.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of museum standards, collections care, conservation principles, and registration practices.
• Strong research, writing, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in executing public engagement and programming

PREFERRED

• Master's degree in Museum Studies, History, Public History, or a related discipline.
• Experience with military, maritime, or naval history collections.
• Experience developing interpretive exhibitions and educational programming.
• Familiarity with digital collections management systems.
• Experience working with contractors, exhibit designers, and external partners.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of museum collections management standards and best practices
• Strong historical research and interpretive writing skills
• Strategic planning and organizational leadership
• Project management and budget oversight experience
• Ability to balance preservation with public accessibility
• Creative thinking and innovative exhibit development
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills
• Commitment to exceptional visitor experiences