Collections Manager / Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence, KS - Review Deadline 3/17/25

Position Overview

The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas stewards and supports broad public engagement with a collection of nearly 50,000 works of art created across a wide range of time periods, geographic locations, and cultural affiliations. The Collection Manager works closely with the Head of Collection Management, fellow Collection Manager, the Curator of Global Indigenous Art and Lifeways (GIAL), and Exhibition staff to care for the Spencer Museum of Art’s collections, including the approximately 10,000 artworks in the GIAL department (62% North and Central American, 15% African, 9% South American, and 14% Asian, Oceanic, and European). This collection encompasses historical and contemporary artworks across mediums that came to the Museum through a variety of channels, often by people associated with the University.

The Collection Manager is responsible for maintaining the physical well-being and documentation of the collection, contributing research and content knowledge for the GIAL collection and related exhibitions, class visits, scholarly and tribal requests, and conducting public outreach. This position requires frequent interaction with various individuals, including donors, tribal representatives, volunteers, researchers, artists, students, faculty, and vendors. This position requires extensive participation in all grant-funded projects that involve the collections, including building renovations, gallery reinstallations, and storage improvements and conservation.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree or higher in Anthropology, Art History, Museum Studies or related field.
Three years of museum registration/collection management experience.
Two or more years of experience with a collections database, including data entry, as evidenced by application materials.
Knowledge of professional standards for collections care as evidenced by application materials.
Familiarity with museum legal and ethical issues, particularly with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, as evidenced by application materials.  
Experience handling a wide variety of museum collection objects, including ethnographic works, paintings, sculptures, works on paper, and textiles, as evidenced by application materials.
Strong written communication skills as evidenced by application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

Five years of museum registration/collection management experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience (paid, volunteer, or internship).
Familiarity with preventive conservation methods and procedures, including IPM, as evidenced by application materials.
Demonstrated ability to work with very little direct supervision, with an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration.
Previous supervisory experience in a museum setting, with an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration.
Familiarity with copyright and reproduction permissions.
Demonstrated experience with Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act compliance.  
Demonstrated ability to communicate well with a broad range of individuals including donors, Indigenous community members, volunteers, artists, faculty, students, and vendors.
Strong verbal communication skills.

Advertised Salary Range $41,300-$58,000

Only complete applications will be considered. A complete online application includes:
Cover letter addressing how you meet the required and preferred qualifications.
Resume.

Contact information for three professional references (including at least one previous or current supervisor).

The application deadline date will be on 3/17/2025

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