Curator of Collections

Ladew Topiary Gardens, Inc.•Monkton, MD

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Curator of Collections is responsible for overseeing a historic collection of approximately 4,000 objects including: The Manor House and its collection of furnishings, textiles, artwork, and ephemera; the garden follies and interior collections therein (Tea House), The sculpture throughout the historic gardens, the original Ladew artwork / photographs displayed in the Studio and the Gardeners Cottage and historic buildings. The Curator of Collections also oversees and ensures museum best practices are adhered to and enhanced in collections care/conditions and collections management of the institutional archives of the museum, the library and all loans and exhibits. This position manages the day-to-day operations of the permanent collection as it relates to special exhibitions, research, interpretive and educational program use, conservation, preservation, and restoration. This includes their storage, public display as appropriate, and restoration. Additionally, development and delivery of training and education on the proper use and conditions of collections and related objects for Ladew staff and volunteers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in history, museum studies, preservation, or related field required.
Qualifications: 4-5 years preferred previous museum experience with collections (minimum of 3 years)
Extensive knowledge of museum best practices in ethical collections care and management.
Proven strong collaborator effectively fostering a cooperative team-based environment and effectively manage interns and volunteers.
Help identify opportunities for external collaboration and outreach.
Excellent verbal and written skills
Demonstrated successes performing hands on tasks, engaging guest tours, and leading as well as performing collections work tasks.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with historic preservation best practices, and Maryland Historical Trust preservation easements preferred.
Specific expertise in grants procurement, archival records management, and exhibit management preferred.
Experience using a collections management database (Past Perfect preferred) and familiarity with new technologies and on-line collections experiences.

Responsibilities

Leads and implements activities that ensure the stewardship of all collections in compliance with professionally accepted standards and best practices and identifying and rectifying areas requiring improvement.
Oversees the entire collections management process and all policies and procedures for collections, archives, and exhibits.
Collaborates with Visitors Services leadership to provide training and resources for House Docents to ensure Ladew provides informational and inspiring tours for visitors.
Recommends acquisitions and de-accessions to the House committee and secures board approval for these actions.
Creatively advances the stories and programs offered by Ladew with the collections.
Generates, in coordination with the Development and Marketing team, collections-based, strategic content for social media, highlighting objects or conservation projects.
Develops mutually beneficial educational and informational projects for interns and volunteers that advance the mission and programs of Ladew.
Researches and recommends new mission-related program opportunities with collections and earned revenue with public programs involving collections tours and opportunities.
Advances the learning and engagement of the community with Ladew through the collection.
Conducts historical research on objects to support Ladew’s educational goals and mission related programs to develop impactful educational experiences for on site visitors to Ladew and virtual content experiences.
Coordinate and manage all House Committee meetings ie: work with Chair and Executive Director to develop the agenda and any meeting materials.
Develops and implements recommendations, policies, and procedures regarding collections care.
Develops and executes all strategies involving these areas for strategic planning purposes in coordination with the Executive Director.
Recommends annual operating department expenditures and capital expenditures during the normal budget cycle.
Monitors and adheres to all expenses in accordance with budgetary constraints.
Identifies conservation needs for fine and decorative arts objects in the collection, soliciting treatment proposals, so that funding may be identified or raised in partnership with the Development Department. Maintain a prioritized list of conservation needs.
Identifies needed conservation work and applies historic preservation principles and practices to the buildings on the national historic register.
Coordinates and supervises all outside vendors/contractors needed for repairs and/or in-house technical work related to the restoration of collections in close coordinator with the Director of Horticulture and Facilities and Head of Maintenance (within the parameters of the collections budget).
Collaborates closely with the Development Department to procure applicable grants and donations for collections, specifically those that fall within strategic priorities.
Collaborates closely with the Director of Horticulture and Facilities and the Facilities Maintenance Technician on object storage facilities, monitoring conditions of structures, security of the collection, and develops recommendations for upgrades and priority improvements for their preservation and conservation of exhibits and artifacts.
Professionally represents the Ladew collection in the community and in professional organizations to pro-actively enhance the reputation and relationships with the general community, museum peers, and donor community.
Identify opportunities for exhibitions, coordinate necessary collection loan paperwork and insurance certificates; facilitate all incoming and outgoing collection loans in keeping with practices and policies outlined in the Collections Management Policy.