Curator of the American Revolution - 2 years - Time Limited Position

Are you looking to be part of an innovative team of professionals dedicated to telling South Carolina's diverse stories? As the storytellers of South Carolina, the South Carolina State Museum (SCSM) strives to share the rich natural and cultural diversity of the state through its permanent collections, programs, and exhibitions. SCSM is the largest museum in South Carolina, stewarding over 1.1 million objects and specimens and welcoming 5 million+ visitors over its 36-year history. The museum has recently embarked on a renovation of 150,000 square feet of its exhibition, programmatic and collection storage spaces occupying four floors of a historic 1890s textile mill on the National Register of Historic Places. Come be a part of our team “reimagining” what SCSM can be for our next generation of visitors, students, and scholars. Plans are also underway as we approach the celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary, which will be a major part of this next phase of the museum’s renovation.

Job Overview
The South Carolina State Museum seeks a creative individual with a working knowledge of South Carolina’s history associated with the 18th century and the American Revolution to lead research and interpretation for the museum’s upcoming Revolutionary War Exhibition project.

In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and the formation of our nation, SCSM is dedicating 3,000 sq. ft. of its permanent galleries to a new exhibition celebrating the pivotal roles that South Carolinians contributed to the successful outcome of the Revolutionary War. Designed to engage visitors of all ages, this interactive exhibition will explore how events on the battlefield and changes in society between 1770 and 1783 affected the outcome of the War and have since shaped our state and nation. As we seek to create a more inclusive narrative, the roles of African Americans, Native Americans, and women will be explored throughout the exhibition. Objects from the Museum’s collection and partner institutions will be featured to inspire our visitors to learn and reconsider the relevance of these formative years to their lives today.
 
This position will have a unique opportunity to be a part of our museum team that will be “reimagining” the museum’s permanent galleries, while focusing specifically on the timeframe of the American Revolution, working collaboratively with museum curatorial staff and external scholars. Through this major renovation project, the first focusing on the permanent galleries since the museum opened in 1988, we will expand the voices and stories that are told, as well as the timeframe that is represented on the museum floor through our permanent collection.

Responsibilities include:

• Curatorial management of the museum's new American Revolution gallery including research, object selection and proposed acquisition of objects, exhibition planning and conservation recommendations.
• Serving as a member of the exhibitions committee, propose changing exhibitions as part of the new permanent gallery, which will include a focused community gallery for statewide partners. This position will assist with the exhibition development and management with these changing exhibitions.
• Work with staff and design firm to develop exhibition concepts, interpretation and design, writing label copy, and incorporating collections where appropriate.
• Consulting with cultural organizations around the state as related to the American Revolution, while strengthening and building relationships with community leaders, scholars, collectors and organizations from our state.
• Responding to and working with the public with requests for information related to objects, research and image use within this area of focus.
• All other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge and experience researching and interpreting South Carolina history as it relates to the American Revolution.
• Minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a focus on American history, 18th Century history or museum studies. 
• Minimum of three years’ experience working within a museum or cultural organization or institution.
• Must possess a clear understanding of proper museum practices including object handling, documentation, and project management.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel statewide and stay overnight. Must have a valid driver's license and be willing to drive vans.
• Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds, use ladders, and work safely and comfortably at elevated heights.

• Demonstrated experience in creating innovative, thought-provoking and inclusive museum experiences. 
• Proven experience building and fostering positive relationships within the scholarly community. 
• Master’s degree or PhD highly preferred.
• Experience using Axiell's EMu collections management system is a plus

• Ability to maintain positive working relationships with a diverse group of people.
• Flexibility and adaptability, including a willingness to take positive action in a changing environment and to effectively analyze situations and problem solve.
• Demonstrated ability to work under deadlines and both work with a high degree of autonomy and participate effectively on a team.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and prioritization skills, with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including an ability to develop presentations and interpretive content.
• Must be self-motivated, take initiative, and exercise creativity.