Assistant Curator for Historical Culture and Community

About the role

The Gilcrease Museum at the University of Tulsa is seeking an intellectually curious, creative, and self‑motivated Assistant Curator to lead exhibitions, acquisitions, research, and interpretation of its extensive historical American collections. This new curatorial position will focus on identity, politics, and cultural expression, connecting past objects to contemporary audiences.

Key responsibilities

• Research, catalogue, and interpret over 300,000 items spanning fine art, visual and material culture, manuscripts, archives, and rare books.
• Develop and curate long‑term, temporary, and traveling exhibitions, including identifying external traveling shows.
• Recommend and acquire historical items through gifts and purchases, contributing to the Collections Development Plan.
• Collaborate with the Associate Curator for Contemporary Culture and Community on projects involving living artists and community partners.
• Publish research, present at conferences, and raise national and international visibility for the museum.
• Support the implementation of the new Interpretive Plan for the museum’s 2027 reopening.

Required profile

• Demonstrated expertise in American historical art, visual culture, or related fields, with a strong research record.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a seven‑member curatorial team and across museum departments.
• Experience in exhibition planning, collection stewardship, and public engagement.
• Commitment to inclusive storytelling, including work with Indigenous, Latin American, and community stakeholders.