Philadelphia Art Museum · 3 months ago
Curator of Costume and Textiles and Head of Department
Philadelphia, PA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$159K/yr - $159K/yr
10+ years expThe Philadelphia Art Museum is seeking a dynamic leader to head its distinguished department of Costume and Textiles. The curator will provide leadership in planning and developing the collection, manage all aspects of collection activity, and collaborate with various departments to enhance community engagement and artistic excellence.
AssociationE-CommerceNon Profit
Responsibilities
Provide curatorial leadership in the planning, development, and interpretation of the costume and textile collection
Manage all aspects of collection activity, including research, installations, exhibitions, publications, acquisitions, deaccessioning, and loans
Consult and collaborate with other museum departments—such as Conservation, Registration, Installation & Packing, Exhibition Planning, among others—to ensure the preservation and presentation of the collection
Work in partnership with the Learning and Engagement teams to develop educational content, including gallery labels and related materials
Help maintain and enhance the museum’s files, database, and digital records of the costume and textile collections
Participate in public-facing programs such as lectures, gallery talks, tours, and guide training
Direct and support original research on the collection and emerging areas of interest in the field
Contribute essays and catalogue entries to museum and external publications, supporting the museum’s commitment to research and scholarship
Promote collaboration within and between curatorial departments, ensuring a cooperative and integrated approach to museum projects
Engage with academic scholars, designers, educators, conservators, and other museum professionals to support the museum’s research and programming
Represent the museum in various professional organizations
Work with the Advancement Department to secure funding, cultivate donor relationships, and support collection growth and programming
Supervise department staff members, including curators, fellows, and assistants fostering professional development and a collaborative team environment
Work closely with Conservation staff on the care, storage, and display of the collection
Develop and manage the department’s annual operating budget
Lead preparations for the biannual Curatorial Committee meetings, including reports and presentations
Serve on internal committees as assigned
Perform related duties as required
Qualification
Required
Advanced degree in art history, fashion history, textile studies, or a related field
Extensive experience (typically 10 or more years) in a curatorial role, with demonstrated leadership in the field of costume and textiles
Proven record of scholarship, including exhibitions and publications
Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills are essential
Experience supervising and mentoring staff
Familiarity with the market for fashion and textiles
Ability to cultivate donors and secure funding for department initiatives
Active involvement in professional networks and scholarly communities
Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
Must be able to handle boxes, hang costumes, use hands, bend, possess good eye-hand coordination, climb platform/rolling ladders (not afraid of heights)
Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums
Adheres to the museum's code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest
Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum's staff, volunteers, and audiences
Maintains confidentiality
Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies
Benefits
Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
Discounted guest tickets for admission
Discounts on gift memberships
Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores
Medical, dental, and vision benefits
Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
Health savings or flexible spending account program
Retirement savings program with museum match
Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays
Company
Philadelphia Art Museum
We're Philadelphia's art museum, a landmark building, a world-renowned collection. A place that welcomes everyone.
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Philadelphia Art Museum has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
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Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (1)
2024 (4)
2022 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Sasha Suda
George D. Widener Director & CEO
Robert Rambo
Retired CFO
Recent News
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