Job Description

The Museum Curator is responsible for all aspects of the museum’s collection’s care, management, and preservation. The Museum Curator collaborates with the Executive Director (ED) to fabricate, install, and maintain exhibits, including permanent exhibits inside the museum, temporary, and traveling at satellite locations across McHenry County.

Collections Management  

Manages all registration duties for objects, including meeting with donors, researching provenance, accessioning & deaccessioning, deeds of gift, condition reports, object photography, incoming and outgoing loans, preparing artifacts for storage, conducting inventories, and rotation of objects in permanent exhibits.
Supervises the physical care of objects, including proper storage, monitoring climate control, pest management, and cleaning routines.
Enforces and reviews the museum collections policies and best practices.
Ensures adequate resources are available to care for and preserve the collection by preparing an annual budget.
Oversees the physical care of the museum collections, including proper storage and archival supplies, monitoring temperature and humidity levels, security of the collection, pest infestation maintenance, and cleaning routines.
Serves as chairperson of the Collections Committee.
Serves as liaison on the Research Library Committee.
Manages collections interns and volunteers.

Exhibitions

Works with ED to set exhibit schedule, including a themed exhibit every two years and rotating displays in other community organizations.
Prepares an annual budget for exhibit fabrication and maintenance.
Research, compose, and edit exhibit labels.
Research and develop interactives and hands-on activities to implement in exhibitions.
Oversees the temporary loans of artifacts – both outgoing and incoming.
Enforces and reviews the museum exhibit and loan policies.
Serves as liaison and chairman of the Collections Committee.
Manages social media related to collections.

General Duties

Reports to the Executive Director but works collaboratively with the Museum Coordinator and Membership & Volunteer Coordinator.

Assists museum visitors as needed and works at various Society events, including festivals, fundraisers, and – when required – other special programs every fifth or sixth Saturday.

Assists with general office duties, including opening/closing the museum and regular housekeeping.

Education/Experience

BA in Museum Studies/Public History (MA preferred)

5-7 years’ experience in collections management

3-5 years in designing exhibitions

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