Job responsibilities
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, The Chief Curator & VP of Curatorial Affairs is a newly-created position that serves both as the Museum’s creative leader who provides an overarching vision for exhibitions and as the primary host of its storied public programs, connecting diverse artists to a growing audience.
Vital to the Museum’s mission of music education, as well as preserving and celebrating music, this person serves as the catalytic leader for the curatorial team, envisioning exhibitions that speak to music’s rich history as a cultural, social, and economic change agent.
As Program Host, this person will work with the VP of Artist Relations, Programs, and Content to bring both an historic and contemporary perspective that connects artists across genres and generations to a diverse and engaged constituency.
The Chief Curator & VP of Curatorial Affairs will oversee all Curatorial Department processes and finances, while supervising and leading the Curatorial Team consisting of a Curator & Director of Exhibitions, Director of Curatorial Services, Registrar, Interactive Production Design Manager, and Associate Curator.
The Museum’s vision is to be a leading cultural and educational institution, and this key position will enable the Museum to ambitiously further its vision and reach new audiences in both the physical and digital museum.
Leadership & Strategy
Provide strategic and creative leadership, managing staff and budget while remaining focused on growth, display, interpretation, diversity and accessibility for the Museum’s collection and exhibitions.
Collaborate with curatorial and exhibitions team and stakeholders to develop a multi-year content calendar that is multidisciplinary, progressive and scalable across all lines of the Mission, including: curatorial, public programs, education, and digital subject matter that explores and celebrates a multiplicity of artists, genres, and disciplines.
Serve as the music authority on the Museum’s exhibitions, ensuring a balance of schedule, scholarship, cultural relevance, diversity, and value for audiences in local and global music, museum, and education communities.
Develop innovative approaches and use technology to deepen visitor experience and engagement with exhibitions and related programming.
Develop and supervise a comprehensive permanent collections plan in partnership with the Museum’s Collections Committee.
Lead and supervise the Curatorial Team in initiatives related to Museum content, exhibitions, and events.
Oversee Curatorial Department policies, procedures, and budgets.
Exhibitions & Collections Oversight
Develop and deliver exhibitions that can be modified and scaled for the physical and digital museums, including traveling exhibitions and Museum affiliates.
Work closely with the curatorial team to conceptualize exhibitions and create narratives of varying size for all galleries, including permanent installations, the Latin Music gallery, and temporary and travel exhibitions.
Work closely with the Director, Curatorial Services and Curator & Director of Exhibitions to develop exhibit calendar and budgets.
Work with COO on curatorial oversight and planning for GM affiliate.
External Leadership
Serve as the Museum’s Principal Host and Moderator for public programs, fundraisers, and events that occur in-person and virtually year-round and consist of in-depth interviews, performance, film screenings with panel discussions, book talks and more.
Act as the Museum spokesperson at public speaking engagements and for the media.
Develop strong partnerships with our affiliated entities (the Recording Academy and its membership, MusiCares, the Latin Recording Academy, the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation) and other non-affiliated entities to leverage our combined strengths to deliver impactful programming.
Prepare for public programs by researching and speaking with stakeholders, staying abreast of music and pop culture trends and norms as well as music history, with the goal of conducting comprehensive, informative, and entertaining interviews.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in museum studies, journalism, or music; Master’s degree preferred.
At least 10 years of progressive and creative leadership experience in museums (curation, exhibition design & development), music journalism, and/ or music industry.
Expertise in conceptualizing, researching, planning, writing, installing, and touring international exhibitions, preferred.
Ability to effectively manage a team of employees, contractors, and guest curators.
Understanding and ability to remain informed of changing industry norms, musical and cultural trends, and best practices in the museum space, both digital and physical.
Music industry contacts and demonstrated experience working with artists and/ or estates on projects, exhibitions, and speaking engagements.
Demonstrated communication skills including written, verbal, and presentation abilities, as well as experience in public speaking and interviewing artists live on stage and/or virtually.
Deep knowledge and sincere love of music, music history, and/ or musicology