Curator, John L. Wehle Gallery

Reports to: Curator of Collections 
Direct Reports: FT Gallery Manager and Seasonal PT Gallery Docents 
Hours: Full time, Tuesday-Saturday Schedule. Weekends Regularly Required.   

About Us:  
Genesee Country Village & Museum is the largest living history museum in New York and the third largest in the country. The Museum opened in 1976 and includes 68 buildings in Historic Village, the Genesee Country Nature Center with 5 miles of trails, and the John L. Wehle Gallery collection of wildlife and sporting art (700 pieces) and 19th-century clothing (4,000 pieces). 

 Position Overview:  
The Curator of the John L. Wehle Gallery is responsible for maintaining, preserving, and exhibiting the outstanding collections of this Gallery, which include: 
John L. Wehle Collection of Sporting, Wildlife, and Western Art and The Susan Greene Costume Collection

Responsibilities:  
Curatorial (60%) 
-Research, writes and fabricates or arranges for fabrication of interpretive labels and text panels for permanent collection and works on loan. 
-Rotates art and costume special exhibits each season. 
-Coordinates loan of objects from outside institutions and individuals, which includes insurance, packing and shipping arrangements. 
-Coordinates loan of objects from gallery collection to outside institutions and individuals, which includes insurance, packing and shipping arrangements. 
-Provides information regarding collection to scholarly and public inquiries, including photographic loans to publishers, authors and photo editors. 
 
Collections Management (20%)  

-Assists Collections Manager to keep accurate, up-to-date collection records.

-Cultivates donations of objects to the collections according to the Collections Management Policy of Genesee Country Museum. 

-Catalogues new acquisitions and conducts research on existing collections objects 

-Consults with certified conservators for treatment of damaged or deteriorating objects. 

-Practices standard object-handling procedures to ensure safety and preservation of collection 

-Understands and uses various functions of the security alarm system. 

-Responsible for keeping confidential, secure records regarding value of collection. 

 Education & Programming (10%) 
-Develops educational materials for elementary and secondary school groups, visiting adult groups, college classes, etc., especially emphasizing the relationships between the Historic Village and the Genesee Country Nature Center. 
-Lectures to outside groups and organizations when requested. 

Management (10%) :  
-Supervises the F/T Gallery Manager and the P/T seasonal Gallery Docents. 
-Annually plans and monitors budget to provide wages and day-to-day operational costs. 
-Trains staff in basic Gallery security and emergency procedures. 
-Trains staff for daily interaction with public. 
-Participates as a member of the Collections Committee 

 Minimum Qualifications:  
-Bachelors in Art, Art History, Museum Studies or Costume Studies  
-3 to 5 years of professional experience. 
-Work efficiently, courteously, and professionally with a wide range of staff, volunteers, interns and visitors. 
-Possess accurate and orderly organizational skills. 
-Represent the Museum in a professional manner, including appearance. 
-Awareness of professional museum standards, ethics and practices.  

 Working Conditions 
-Ability to sit/stand for extended periods of time 
-Walk up to 1 mile a day on different types of terrain 
-Perform physical work such as kneeling, reaching, bending, crouching, pulling, and pushing, lift and carry objects weighing up to 30 pounds.  

 Salary Range:  
$24 to $26 per hour   

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Genesee Country Village & Museum is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees, applicants, and interns for employment. We recruit, hire, train, and promote without discrimination due to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, citizenship, national origin, military or veteran status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.