Curatorial Assistant

About the Museum

The Museum of Danish America, formerly known as The Danish Immigrant Museum, is located midway between Des Moines, IA and Omaha, NE on 35 acres of recreated prairie in the heart of the largest rural settlement of Danes in the United States. The museum's mission is to explore the Danish-American experience, the historic and modern influences of Denmark on the United States, and the continuing story of how a nation of immigrants shape American identity. It is the only accredited national museum dedicated to collecting and interpreting the Danish-American experience. The museum has a collection of nearly 25,000 artifacts, an active traveling exhibit program, and a membership of over 3,000 from across the United States, Denmark, and seven other countries. Guidance is provided by a twenty-five-member Board of Directors from across the United States and Denmark. It has a staff of twelve full-time employees, five part-time employees, and an active internship program hosting Danish and American graduate students annually.

About the Collection

Of the museum’s nearly 25,000 artifacts, about 8,700 are currently located in visual storage, a large room surrounded by glass on three sides which allows visitors to get a better sense of the breadth of our collection and our storage practices. The objects in visual storage range from art glass and silverware, to tools, medals, ribbons, and other culturally and historically significant objects. Many of these objects fit into the categories of Danish or Danish-American art, craft, and design. We plan to expand our offerings in this area through the anticipated acquisition of a world-class collection of Danish ceramics, creating the best collection of Danish ceramics outside of Denmark. The curatorial assistant will have the chance to work with and research these objects throughout the process of reorganizing the space to highlight the themes of the Danish immigrant experience, the Danish-American experience, and Danish design and decorative arts.

Responsibilities

• Pack and move all collections items in visual storage to another storage location so that shelving may be added and reorganized, involving light cleaning of objects and careful record keeping to ensure object locations remain accurate throughout the move.
• Move pieces back in to visual storage in a new organization once the shelves have been adjusted, completing by the museum’s 40th anniversary celebration in the summer of 2023.
• Work with the curator and registrar to catalogue and arrange the majority of the anticipated large acquisition of ceramic objects in the second half of 2023, assisting with interpretive projects and exhibitions related to this acquisition, including the development of a major Danish ceramics exhibition to open in November 2024.
• Assist with research, writing, and publication related to the existing collection and anticipated acquisition.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, with preference given to a Master’s degree, in Museum Studies or a related field.
• Experience in collections and/or registration preferred.
• Experience with ceramics or decorative arts is preferred, but not required.
• Excellent writing, project management, attention to detail, interpersonal and team building skills are essential.
• Ability to handle large workloads and meet deadlines.
• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the position including standing for long period of time and lifting heavy objects.
• Strong computer skills required for research and administrative skills, and experience in PastPerfect is helpful.

Position Details and Benefits

Duratio/n Hours: 2 years, 40 hours per week
Salary: $35,000/year
Benefits: Benefits package includes paid health insurance, paid short/long term disability insurance, paid vacation, and paid sick leave
Start Date: January 2023

Contact Information

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and three references via email to Julia Jessen, Registrar: [email protected]. Questions are welcome.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Museum of Danish America is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.