Woodruff Arts Center employees play an integral role in creating and supporting great art and education initiatives at the nation’s third largest arts center. Comprised of three Art Partners—Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art—there’s a role for everyone at The Woodruff.
Reports to:
Chief Curator
FLSA:
United States of America (Exempt)
Employment Status:
Regular/Full time
About the Role:
The High Museum of Art seeks an innovative and experienced curator with expertise in contemporary fashion to lead the program for its new endeavor, the Lauren Amos Fashion Project. With the North American premiere in fall of 2025 of “Viktor&Rolf. Fashion Statements,” the High will mark the first exhibition associated with the Project.
Under the supervision of the Chief Curator, the Curator of Fashion will oversee all aspects of the museum’s curatorial program for international contemporary fashion. Leveraging their established relationships with major global fashion houses, patrons, and colleagues, the new curator will be responsible for utilizing their experience and expertise to develop and manage visionary new exhibitions, organize and present affiliated educational programs and special events, and create and publish new scholarship. The successful candidate will have demonstrated ability and success working with and cultivating fashion patrons, developing compelling exhibitions in the field, and managing complex international projects, teams, and budgets. While the museum does not actively collect fashion, the curator will be responsible for envisioning and developing a 5-year strategic plan for the Fashion Project, including an acquisition strategy for very select opportunities to add works by gift to the High’s holdings of design. The curator will be committed to working creatively and collaboratively with a diverse group of High staff, patrons, and their network of national and international peers. The position is presently term-limited to five years.
Salary: $100,000
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
What you will do:
Exhibitions
- Plan and manage the development of the High’s fashion initiatives
- Develop and manage highly creative exhibitions including proposing and organizing a major exhibition and select installations of fashion loans
- Conceive and act as lead author for exhibition catalogues and fashion-related essays and all related texts, including digital content
Public Programs and Engagement
- Collaborate effectively with the museum’s department of Learning and Civic Engagement to develop, and lead public programs and community events related to fashion
- Work in partnership with Learning and Civic Engagement staff to develop and produce related interpretive strategies and accompanying materials,
- Conduct training for docents and provide new opportunities for community outreach
Patron Stewardship
- Collaborate with the Development team and others to lead cultivation and stewardship of fashion patrons internationally, including regular participation in tours, events, and related activities
- Foster and build excellent working relationships with existing and potential patrons, trustees, and museum colleagues across the country and abroad, as well as with the academic community, dealers, and collectors
Communications
- Regularly and effectively communicate with museum staff, trustees, colleagues, and others to expand, and facilitate the program of fashion and to ensure that related content, including digital and social media, is creatively and accurately developed and represented
- Provide tours of relevant exhibitions, respond to scholarly, public, and press inquiries as requested
- Represent the museum in contemporary fashion circles, professional associations, symposia and other meetings and relevant events
What will we expect of you:
- Excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills with designers, colleagues, donors and the public
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally, as needed
- Serve as a mentor to fellows, assistants, and interns
- Exhibit high ethical and professional standards
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Must be resourceful, creative, flexible, and work positively with staff in a highly collaborative environment
Education and Experience
- Minimum five years of experience in curatorial or academic work related to fashion
- Advanced degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) in art history, costume history, or a related field
- Demonstrated expertise in contemporary fashion; knowledge of fashion history of the modern era
- A strong network in the international fashion world and a collaborative, creative mindset
- Expertise in exhibition and program development and management, including budgets and both national and international collaborations
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Some standing, walking, bending, frequent use of hands, stooping and light lifting
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
What you can expect from us/ Benefits of working here
- Health Insurance
- Life and AD&D
- Dental
- Vision
- Short Term Disability
- Long Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Account
- Employee Assistance Plan
- 403b (with employer match!)
- Financial Wellness Program
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Holidays (including employee’s birthday!)
- Discounts and complimentary offers to visit the High Museum, Alliance Theatre and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
