Job Description

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is seeking an innovative, creative, and inclusive Curator of American Art to boldly redefine American art for the 21st century. The ideal candidate will actively foster collaboration and inclusive decision-making within a team. This role will work together to present a diverse perspective, expand the traditional canon of American art and bring fresh, innovative interpretations through exhibitions and acquisitions.

An American Alliance of Museums-accredited institution, The Westmoreland was established in 1959 through a generous bequest from Mary Marchand Woods, a long-time Greensburg resident who envisioned a significant cultural institution for her community. Over the past six decades, The Westmoreland has built a permanent collection of significant American art from colonial to contemporary periods, with a particular focus on southwestern Pennsylvania within the broader context of American art. The 2015 expansion, designed by Ennead Architects, transformed the Museum’s facility, earning recognition from Architectural Digest as the best-designed museum in Pennsylvania.

Today, The Westmoreland is guided by a new mission and strategic plan centered on audience growth, community engagement, inclusivity, and sustainability. The Museum strives to connect an ever-expanding audience to American art through meaningful and engaging cultural experiences that build community, inspire creativity, and spark new ideas and action, through the power of art. Our Free Admission for All initiative, launched in 2018, ensures that financial barriers do not prevent access to art, but accessibility also requires new and inclusive ways of engaging audiences. Through compelling art experiences, exhibitions, acquisitions, partnerships, and innovative programming, we seek to create an institution that is welcoming and relevant to all.

The Curator of American Art will play a pivotal role in advancing these efforts, developing collection strategies that diversify representation, creating audience-centered interpretive experiences, and curating exhibitions that engage both traditional and new audiences. This position requires a forward-thinking curator who embraces collaboration, fosters community connections, and is unafraid to experiment with new ways of making art accessible.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Collections:

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for the Museum’s collection, with an emphasis on diversity, representation, and accessibility.
• Manage the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, overseeing collection growth, acquisitions, and deaccessions in alignment with the Museum’s goals.
• Cultivate relationships with donors and collectors to attract gifts and acquisition funding.
• Collaborate with the Director of Collections and Exhibition Management to prioritize conservation efforts, assess insurance valuations, and maintain collection safety.
• Contribute to the development and updates of the Museum’s Emergency Response and Preparedness Plan.

Exhibitions:

• Lead the creation of compelling exhibitions, from dynamic presentations of the permanent collection to original and touring temporary exhibitions.
• Work collaboratively with an interdepartmental exhibition team—including the Director of Collections and Exhibition Management, the Director of Learning, Engagement, and Partnerships (LEAP), the Graphic Designer and installation staff—to develop exhibitions and collection reinstallations that align with the Museum’s mission and strategic plan.
• Work with the exhibition team to develop exhibition themes, learning outcomes, graphic identity, layout, interpretive strategies, and public programming.
• Develop visitor-centered interpretive approaches that engage diverse audiences, including those without prior knowledge of art history.
• Ensure that exhibition selection is a collaborative process with senior leadership to fulfill institutional goals.

Scholarship and Programs:

• Conduct and publish original research in American art, including catalogue essays, exhibition texts, gallery guides, and academic articles.
• Bring external scholars to assess and interpret the collection, fostering fresh perspectives and advancing research in the field.
• Present at regional and national conferences, representing The Westmoreland and contributing to the broader discourse in American art.
• Collaborate with the Learning, Engagement, and Partnerships (LEAP) team to create non-traditional art experiences, traditional and experimental public programs, expanding audience engagement beyond conventional formats.
• Actively participate in Pittsburgh’s artistic community and Westmoreland County’s cultural landscape, strengthening connections with local artists and arts organizations.

Management:

• Lead with a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative management style that fosters a positive work environment.
• Supervise interns, independent contractors, volunteers, ensuring alignment with the Museum’s values.
• Serve as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to strategic decision-making and long-term institutional planning.
• Collaborate with the Director of Collections and Exhibition Management to develop and manage budgets for the permanent collection and exhibitions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Art History, with priority given to candidates specializing in American art.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of professional curatorial experience.
• Extensive knowledge of collections management, exhibition development, and best museum practices (AAM, AAMC, and AAMD standards).
• A strong record of published scholarship in American art.
• Proven ability to build relationships with patrons, donors, artists, and institutional colleagues.
• Strong organizational and research skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage both scholarly and general audiences.
• Experience working collaboratively in a team setting and engaging with diverse community stakeholders.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: The Westmoreland Museum of American Art offers a competitive salary in the range of $75,000 to $90,000 (commensurate with experience) and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Paid vacation, holidays, personal, and sick days
• Flexible work arrangements
• 403(b) retirement plan participation
• Medical, vision, dental options
• Short-term, long-term disability, and life insurance provided
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness initiatives
• Museum membership
• Discounts at the Museum Shop and on event rentals
• Free parking
  

Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory background checks, including FBI fingerprinting, PA Child Abuse (Act 33), and PA Criminal (Act 34) clearances.

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

TO APPLY: Please send a resume and letter of interest to careers@thewestmoreland.org. No phone calls, please.

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