Jobs

Essential Functions:

Direct Management of the Model Museums Program –​​ 80% (variable)

• Refine and implement a strong relevant Model Museum curriculum that is engaging and ensuring the experience is logical and seamless.
• Understand the target goals of the Model Museum Program.
• Work with The Center department heads to develop authentic hands-on activities for each area to engage the students.
• Collaborate on scheduling and content of individual sessions
• Build a working relationship with the participating students by serving as a link between them and The Center.
• Establish strong connections with Buffalo Public high school administrators and visual arts teachers to help fill the program with engaging students.
• Manage the operational tasks, including attendance, feedback from students, preparing materials as handouts, obtaining snacks and transportation needs for students.
• Construct assessment tools to measure student learning and provide feedback to the management team and make recommendations on changes to the program if appropriate.
• Stay engaged with Model Museum graduates’ post- graduation to keep as many as possible engaged in museum experiences.
• and administrators.

Other Education Department Assistance – 10% (variable)

• Support the other areas of the Education Department as requested by the Director of Education.
• Stay abreast of the various offerings of the Education department and step in to assist during vacations or as needed based upon program needs.

Other Duties – 10% (variable)

• Stay current, maintain familiarity with museum practices and broad understanding of how they affect educational practice.
• Assist with the care and maintenance of the Useum Studio space.
• Assist with other Center programming as needed including The Gala, 716 Art, etc.

Preferred Skills, and Experience

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to engage and hold the attention of groups.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Warmth and a sincere love for working with diverse audiences.
• Goal oriented and self-motivated. Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team, to think ahead and be a problem-solver.
• Demonstrated ability to pay close attention to detail, to efficiently manage several work assignments and tasks simultaneously, and to self-prioritize work in a fast-paced environment.

Required Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in an art related field.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with word processing and other general office software.
• Three years’ Education program experience.
• Innate passion for the arts, for learning, and for service.

Compensation
 

Burchfield Penney Art Center is committed to fair, competitive, and industry-informed pay for our employees.

Health Benefits are not available for Part Time Staff.

To apply: Please email your cover letter, resume, and three professional references in one PDF document, saved as “LastName-FirstName-StaffEducationAssociate” and in the subject bar to burchfld@buffalostate.edu. No calls, please. 

This position is open until filled, but applications received by July 31, 2025 will receive first consideration.

Essential Functions:

Collections Management

• Maintain and update the collections management database, ensuring accurate object records, condition reports, and provenance documentation.
• Attend Collection Committee meetings and ensure that all decisions are recorded in collections management database in a timely manner.
• Monitor and manage storage environments, coordinating conservation assessments and treatment when necessary.
• Maintain accession files, loan agreements, and shipping documentation in both physical and digital formats.
• Coordinate the physical handling, packing, and transportation of works of art for acquisitions, deaccessions, and loans.
• Conduct regular inventory of collection holdings and ensure environmental and security protocols are followed in storage areas.
• Maintain compliance with legal and ethical standards for museum collections.

Exhibitions and Loans

• Work collaboratively with the curatorial and exhibitions teams to manage incoming and outgoing loans, including negotiating loan agreements, arranging transportation, insurance coverage, and condition reporting.
• Assist in the production of exhibitions, including assisting curatorial and facilities staff as needed.
• Serve as the primary liaison with lenders, shippers, and insurers during the planning and execution of exhibitions.
• Manage incoming loans to ensure records are maintained and that the BPAC meets the conditions of the loan and requests of lending institutions. Oversee outgoing loans to other institutions and associated requirements. 

Administrative and Departmental Support

• Maintain registrar policies and procedures manual.
• Support the collections committee by preparing reports and documentation for acquisitions and deaccessions.
• Supervise interns and contract registrars or art handlers, as needed.
• Participate in institutional planning and contribute to strategic initiatives related to collections and exhibitions.

Required Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field, OR a minimum of five years’ experience in a registrar or collections management role in a museum or gallery setting. Experience working in collections or exhibitions preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of museum best practices and standards (AAM, AIC, and ARCS guidelines).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience in collections management software and willingness to learn the Burchfield Penney's proprietary management software.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across departments.
• Physical ability to handle and move artworks using appropriate safety procedures and equipment.
• Knowledge of Western New York artists and familiarity with studio practices preferred.

Compensation

The Burchfield Penney Art Center is committed to fair, competitive, and industry-informed pay for our employees. The salary range for this position is $49,000 - $59,000 and includes health insurance, paid vacation and sick time, 403(B) plan, and additional benefits.

To apply: Please email your cover letter, resume, and three professional references in one PDF document, saved as “LastName-FirstName” and 'Registrar' in the subject line to burchfld@buffalostate.edu. No calls, please. 

This position is open until filled, but applications received by August 11th, 2025 will receive first consideration.

Essential Functions:

Exhibition Curation and Management – 65%  

• Proposes, curates/co-curates, and delivers an appropriate annual exhibition schedule.
• Facilitates an integrated curatorial vision.
• Contributes to rethinking, understanding, and marketing the Museum’s collection and exhibitions in the context of national and local contemporary conversations. 
• Provides and participates in research that meaningfully supports the education department’s training of docents and creates written content to provide context through exhibition didactics and publications.
• Works collaboratively across curatorial, advancement, communications, public engagement, and education departments to clearly position exhibitions, collections and programs within the goals of achieving exhibition funding, creating cohesive and complementary programmatic opportunities, fully utilizing the benefits of public relations/marketing, and providing the basis for integrated education programming.
• Maintains relationships with artists, researchers, community members, and local organizations to ensure engagement around the museum’s regional mission. 
• Incorporates accessibility standards and produces new curatorial approaches to collections and partnerships.
• Identifies and researches significant trends, issues, and opportunities within the field.                                        

Supervision and Administration – 25% 

• Leads the curatorial team in the development and management of departmental and exhibition budgets. Supports the career development of the Curatorial Team.
• Meets regularly with the Director of Finance, Chief Advancement Officer, and Executive Director to track exhibition planning and budget.
• Contributes to fundraising and resource development efforts.
• Collaborates across Curatorial, Exhibitions, Public Engagement and Learning, and Communications staff on a variety of projects and initiatives.
• Prepare reports and give presentations on exhibition and project developments for both internal and external stakeholders.

Service / Professional Development – 10%

• Serves on museum and community committees.
• Actively represents museums with external stakeholders.
• Participates in the museum field, developing and maintaining relationships with other museum professionals, and participating in professional activities.

Compensation

The Burchfield Penney Art Center is committed to fair, competitive, and industry-informed pay for our employees. The salary range for this position is $84,000 - $98,000. Benefits available include health, dental, and vision insurance, paid vacation and sick time, BPAC direct contributions to 403(B), and others as determined by Management.  

To apply: Please email your cover letter, resume, and three professional references in one PDF document, saved as “LastName-FirstName” and with  "Chief Curator" in the subject line to burchfld@buffalostate.edu. No calls, please. 

This position is open until filled, but applications received by September 5th, 2025 will receive first consideration.