Description

MCNAY ART MUSEUM

JOB DESCRIPTION

Work Classification: Hybrid – remote options available

Head of Curatorial Affairs 

Annual Salary $130,000

Position Overview

The Head of Curatorial Affairs (HCA) is a member of the senior leadership team and leads the vision, strategy, and execution of the McNay’s curatorial program, ensuring that acquisitions, exhibitions, and scholarship align with the museum’s mission to engage a diverse community in the discovery and enjoyment of the visual arts. The HCA works closely with the Director and CEO in setting strategic priorities and oversees the Curatorial Affairs Department coordinating all curatorial activities and budgets. As a senior leadership team member, the HCA contributes to institution-wide strategic planning and public engagement initiatives. Working closely with the Director and CEO, as well as the members of the curatorial team, the HCA is responsible for the development of a dynamic and economically sustainable 3-5 year exhibition calendar that both draws from and highlights the strengths of the McNay’s renowned collections as well as broadening the stories told and audiences engaged through partner exhibitions.

Curatorial Leadership and Vision

The HCA will have a strong background and passion for art history coupled with a significant record in exhibition development and scholarship and will:

•  Collaborate with the Director/CEO in developing a comprehensive 3-5 year exhibitions and installations calendar that both celebrates the permanent collection while providing opportunities for wider narratives that engage and support the San Antonio community.
•  Develop and curate their own exhibition projects aligned with the museum’s mission and collection strengths, as well as the HCA’s own specialization.
•  Work cross-departmentally to envision new ways to energize community engagement utilizing the collection and grounds through diverse narratives, histories, and communities.
•  Collaborate with the Head of Education and the Education Department to shape a visitor-centered interpretive strategy, docent training, and public programming related to curatorial projects.
•  Collaborate with the Head of Communications and Marketing to develop and support a comprehensive strategy to promote exhibitions, scholarship, and the McNay as a whole.
•  The HCA will serve as a leading institutional voice in scholarship and interpretation, overseeing a strategy for research and publications that will enhance the visibility and impact of the McNay’s collections and exhibitions.

Collections Stewardship and Development

Lead the long-term strategic direction of the McNay’s collections, especially post–World War II painting and sculpture, including acquisitions, deaccessions, conservation priorities, and documentation with support from the Curator of Collections/Collections Manager.

Ensure best practices in all aspects of collections care, coordinating with Collections Manager, Registrars, and Preparators.

Is familiar with ethical and legal considerations around provenance.

Prioritize conservation and technical research with long-term exhibition and interpretation plans.

Assess and improve operational efficiency, accessibility of the collection, and digital strategy.

Team and Financial Management

Supervise and coordinate the activities of the curatorial department staff, including six direct reports: the Curator of the Tobin Collection of Theatre Arts; Curator of Prints and Drawings; Curator of Exhibitions; Curator of Collections/Collections Manager; Curator of Latinx Art; and the Semmes Fellow.

Provide coaching, professional development, regular performance feedback, and support to direct reports.

Lead from a foundation of trust, respect, and accountability and cultivate a culture of collaboration and cross-departmental synergy fostering an inclusive and efficient work culture with clear communication and shared goals.

Promote inclusive, collaborative curatorial practices and actively seek opportunities to expand representation within the collection, exhibitions, and programs.

Makes balanced decisions based on the strategic objectives of the McNay.

Working closely with the Head of Finance, the HCA oversees the preparation and tracking of operating and exhibition budgets within the Curatorial Department.

External Affairs

The HCA serves as a leading institutional voice, regionally, nationally, and internationally for the McNay’s curatorial vision.

 Collaborate with the Director/CEO and Head of Development in fundraising initiatives, including cultivating donors, writing grants, and working with the Development team and Board committees on exhibition and acquisition support.

 Represent the McNay externally at national and international conferences, media interviews, and museum partnerships.

 Participate and provide support for Board of Trustee meetings and Art Committee meetings.

 Perform other duties as assigned.

Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate will be committed to and passionate about the McNay’s mission with a passion for objects and the stories they help tell and the role of the art museum in the community.  The HCA will be excited by new possibilities reimagining how the museum can fulfill its vision of being San Antonio’s place of belonging. The HCA will be a practical optimist and strategic thinker, who believes in public service through an inclusive museum program. The ideal candidate believes in collaboration across departments and will work to establish strong relationships across the museum and wider community. 

Organization

Founded in 1954, the McNay engages a diverse community in the discovery and enjoyment of the visual arts. Throughout its 70-year history, the McNay has brought the best of modern and contemporary art to San Antonio. Visitors enjoy works by modern masters ranging from Van Gogh and Picasso to Edward Hopper and Georgia O’Keeffe. The sprawling grounds include sculptures by Alice Aycock, Robert Indiana, and others.

Built in the late 1920s by Marion Koogler McNay, the residence was Texas’ first dedicated modern art museum, opening in 1954. Since the original bequest of 700 artworks, a house, 25 acres, and an endowment, the McNay has broadened programs, grown its collection, and expanded spaces. The collection contains over 22,000 works, including European and American art; one of the finest collections of prints and drawings in the Southwest; and the Tobin Collection. In 2008, the McNay opened the 45,000-square-foot Center for Exhibitions for special exhibitions.

The Museum annually organizes 10–12 exhibitions including two to three banner exhibitions. The Museum welcomes about 150,000 visitors annually, hosts approximately 500 programs, and has a docent program that engages over 12,000 participants in tours. 

Community

San Antonio is the seventh largest city in the U.S., with one of the fastest-growing local economies. San Antonio boasts a rich, diverse culture that demographically represents the future of the US, and a diverse community and world-class offerings that make it a great place to live. The current metro area population is 2.6 million. With a population that is nearly two-thirds Hispanic, it is the largest majority-Hispanic city in the U.S. San Antonio offers the vibrancy of a big city and the intimacy of a small town. Designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and a Creative City of Gastronomy, San Antonio hosts more than 39 million visitors a year. It is also the most affordable big city in Texas.

Benefits Summary

The McNay offers a generous benefits package including:

•    medical, dental, and vision insurance with employer contribution included
•    generous paid vacation, sick leave and holiday pay
•    attractive retirement plan including a 6% contribution match of gross salary with no enrollment waiting period
•    wellness incentive with a discounted rate for gym membership

Requirements

Requirements

Education:

Master’s degree in Art History (Modern or Contemporary concentration related to the Museum’s collections), or a related field required; PhD preferred.

Experience Required:

• Minimum of 8–10 years in a curatorial leadership role at an art museum or equivalent, including significant administrative and supervisory experience.
• Broad knowledge of modern and contemporary art, both American and international, with particular strength in post–World War II art.
• A strong track record of organizing original exhibitions and publishing scholarly research. 
• A strong professional network consisting of museums, galleries, and collectors.

Skills & Attributes:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and strategic planning capabilities.
• Experience building, tracking, and adhering to budgets. 
• Proven ability and strong record of leading and mentoring teams in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

Other Requirements:

• Occasional evening and weekend hours required for programs and events.
• Travel as needed for exhibitions, acquisitions, and professional representation.