Assistant or Associate Curator of Native Arts

Assistant or Associate Curator of Native Arts

Full Time, Exempt

Why Join Us?

At the Denver Art Museum (DAM), we work together to build a world where art sparks creativity, and connects, inspires, and empowers people and communities. We are offering an outstanding opportunity to a dynamic, creative, and experienced individual who is passionate about Native Arts and who will support the museum's distinguished Native Arts department's pathway into a higher level of regional, national, and international prominence.

We are seeking highly qualified candidates for the position of Assistant or Associate Curator for our acclaimed collection of Indigenous Arts of North America. The Assistant or Associate Curator reports to the Native Arts department head who together are responsible for the formation, care and study of designated art museum collections and serves as in-house subject specialist. They will share information in multiple formats with a variety of audiences.

The DAM has a long history of honoring Indigenous arts and is committed to enhancing the understanding and appreciation of these rich art forms for broad and diverse audiences in collaboration with Indigenous communities and artists. As one of the first art museums in the United States to collect Indigenous arts of North America, the DAM now holds a collection of about 18,000 objects representing the artistic expressions by artists from tribes across North America. The Assistant or Associate Curator is a specialist in the academic disciplines related to the art of Native North America and should be creative, enthusiastic, engaging, self-motivated, and collaborative.

As a premier cultural institution in the Rocky Mountain region, the Denver Art Museum holds encyclopedic art collections with numerous strengths. The city of Denver is home to a vital Indigenous community enlivened by a rich variety of cultural organizations and events.

Be a part of a curious, respectful, dynamic, inclusive and creative team who are committed to creating memorable museum experiences for all! If you share our passion for creativity and community building, we encourage you to apply!

Pay Range: The starting pay range for the position is based on education, experience, knowledge, and skills:

Assistant Curator: $60,000/year - $69,000/year

Associate Curator: $69,000/year - $83,200/year

Perks & Benefits:

A comprehensive medical/dental/vision plan, that can be extended to domestic partner, spouse, and children. DAM 100% paid Life Insurance, and Short/Long Term Disability. Generous sick and vacation paid time off and one personal day. Ten paid holidays. 403(b) Retirement Plan with immediate eligibility to contribute and those who meet the requirements after one year will qualify for the 3% non-elective contribution and 2% match program. A free RTD Eco Pass. Free Telehealth and Employee Assistance Program. Access to Headspace. Two weeks Paid Parental Leave. free DAM Family Membership.

Please note: The Denver Art Museum does not provide parking for its employees.

What You'll Do

As an Assistant or Associate Curator, you will:

• Study, care, display, publish, and conduct provenance research on the Native Arts collections.
• Assist Native Arts and Provenance teams with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act program, including consulting with tribal representatives, contributing towards consultation records, deaccessioning objects when appropriate, and the overall implementation of NAGPRA.
• Develop and maintain new and existing relationships and partnerships with Native communities both locally and across North America.
• Work collaboratively with Education, Design, and Collections in the development, creation, interpretation and installation of permanent galleries and special exhibitions organized or booked by the museum.
• Independently and in collaboration with museum administration, development department, and department head, cultivate donors to encourage art donation and funding for acquisitions, exhibitions, publications, research grants, and fellowships. Such donors include local and national collectors and patrons, foundations, corporations, and professional organizations on regional, national, and international levels.
• Build and refine the collections and collaborate with collectors, patrons, curatorial colleagues, and cultural organizations to generate important exhibitions, publications, and public programs.
• In collaboration with Museum administration and department head, establish departmental agenda and schedules. Develop departmental work plans and budgets and contribute to the budgetary plan for exhibitions.
• Supervise departmental volunteers, support staff, and contract workers as necessary.
• Conducts original research on art objects and collections, making results known through publication in collection catalogues, exhibition catalogues and brochures, peer-reviewed scholarly journals, conferences, and interpretive programs for visitors.
• Prepare and give lectures, tours, and work-shops to the public, docents, educators and students, professional colleagues, and other groups.
• Maintain professional affiliations in scholarly organizations, professional societies, and relevant committees.
• Work with Communications to provide information on collection or subject area to the media. Respond to inquiries from the public.
• As an institutional member of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), and the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the DAM is committed to following the AAMD Report on the Acquisition of Archaeological Materials and Ancient Art and the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. All curators are required to abide by the above guidelines and are expected to comply with and conduct appropriate provenance research on all objects in their collections.
• Work actively with the support groups.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested
• Support DAM's Racial Equity Roadmap initiatives through goal setting and applying a racial equity lens in daily work.

What We're Looking For

You might be a great fit for the Assistant Curator level if you have:

• A Master's degree (MA or MFA) in a relevant field such as Art History, Museum Studies, or Indigenous Studies and 1-2 years of curatorial experience, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Demonstrated involvement in museum installations, exhibitions, and interpretive projects.
• Experience originating or co-curating exhibitions and contributing to publications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Native Arts, with a focus on historical and contemporary Indigenous Arts of North America.
• Passionate interest in and respect for Native Arts, culture, history, religions, and traditions.
• A thorough understanding of laws and their implementation related to Indigenous collections, including but not limited to NAGPRA, the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, American Antiquities Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, CITES, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
• Strong international network of professional colleagues, collectors, dealers, and artists; must be willing to travel.
• Strong understanding of art market, current issues, and art conservation related to Indigenous arts of North America.
• Experience in exhibitions and publications, and strong fund raising and public speaking abilities.
• Commitment to finding new ways to engage American Indian and non-Native audiences with the museum and its collections.
• Demonstrated record of successful collaboration with curatorial colleagues, conservators, educators, designers and other museum professionals.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the English language.

You might be a great fit for the Associate Curator level if you have:

• A master's degree (MA or MFA) in Art History, Indigenous Studies, or a closely related field (PhD preferred) and a minimum of 3+ years of curatorial experience, or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• A proven track record of leading or co-curating exhibitions, scholarly research, and publications.
• A deep and thorough expertise in Indigenous Arts of North America, including both historical and contemporary work.
• Advanced knowledge of laws and their implementation related to Indigenous collections, including but not limited to NAGPRA, the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990, American Antiquities Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, CITES, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
• Strong international network of professional colleagues, collectors, dealers, and artists; must be willing to travel.
• Advanced understanding of art market, current issues, and art conservation related to Indigenous arts of North America.
• Experience in exhibitions and publications, and strong fund raising and public speaking abilities.
• Experience with finding new ways to engage American Indian and non-Native audiences with the museum and its collections.
• A demonstrated record of successful collaboration with curatorial colleagues, conservators, educators, designers and other museum professionals.
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to help shape curatorial direction and department goals.

This role has some physical requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Frequent handling of objects and use of hands for filing, handling, or using controls.
• Occasional bending, stooping, and reaching with arms.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Visual acuity required for reviewing artwork and documents.
• Work performed in office, galleries, and storage settings.
• Some travel may be required for community engagement and professional meetings.

This position will be covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME-CWU

The DAM prioritizes adaptability and a human-centered work environment. We are happy to consider accommodations. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Our Hiring Process & What to Expect

We know job searching can be overwhelming, so here's a transparent look at our process

• Application close date is: November 28, 2025.
• Our hiring team will review the applications and resumes and select candidates for interview. The interview process may include a phone screening and in-person panel interviews at the DAM.
• Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to phone calls or emails regarding application status. Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted directly.

Who We Are

At the Denver Art Museum, we are deeplycommitted to standingagainst discrimination, violence, and hate in allforms against any individual or group. And we remain focused onfostering inclusion, equal opportunity, and belonging inside and out.

The museum serves as aplatformfor creative expression and community well-being by collecting and presenting work byartists fromdiverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, including those communities that have been historically underrepresented in museums. We give space to a wide range of artist voices bysharingthe work of andcollaborating with artists and creatives from all races, backgrounds, and identities.

We believe that art and creativity have the power to promote mutual understanding and highlight our shared humanity-connecting, inspiring, and empowering people and communities. The museum's board of trustees, volunteers, and staff remain committed to being an anti-racist organization and making the Denver Art Museuman inclusive and diverse place where everyone always feels welcome.