The New York Society Library (NYSL) is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Exhibition Curator toconceive, develop, and oversee exhibitions that engage diverse audiences and advance the Library’smission to connect books and people in an environment of intellectual freedom. The successfulcandidate will be passionate about books and libraries and will bring scholarly expertise, creative vision,and strong project management skills to create compelling exhibitions that educate, inspire, and sparkmeaningful dialogue.Reporting to the Director of Programming & Communications, the Exhibition Curator will be responsiblefor the creative strategy and content of the Library’s exhibitions and will lead the long-range planning forthe Library’s exhibition program. The Exhibition Curator will also work collaboratively with the SpecialCollections Librarian, the Book Conservator, the Programming Department, the DevelopmentDepartment, and Lecture & Exhibition Committee in bringing exhibitions and related events to life.The Library’s exhibition programming is primarily focused on aspects of the institution’s history andcollections. Recent exhibitions have included Irene Sharaff & Mai-mai Sze: In Their Own Words; 30 Yearsof the New York City Book Awards; A Belief in Books: The 270th Anniversary Exhibition; Quack! Quack!The Wonderful World of Robert Quackenbush; Fabulous Fashion; Black Literature Matters; The BookBeautiful: Margaret Armstrong & Her Bindings; The New York World of Willa Cather; and Broken Beauty:Ruins of the Ancient World.Required Skills & Qualifications• Bachelor’s degree• Five or more years’ experience as an exhibition curator or in a curatorial role in a culturalinstitution• Strong research, writing, and public speaking skills• Ability to work both independently and collegially• Experience providing public service and instruction• Excellent organizational and project management skills• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, andaccessibility• Knowledge of current trends and practices in the larger world of exhibitions in libraries,museums, and galleriesDuties & Responsibilities• Develop and oversee the Library’s long-range plan for exhibitions, coordinating with colleaguesin Programming, Collections, and Development departments• Research exhibition topics using books, periodicals, primary and secondary sources, electronicdatabases, etc.• Research and select images and photos and obtain legal permissions as required for their use• Identify appropriate artifacts from the Library’s collections as well as other sources for display• Write and edit exhibition panel text, artifact labels, catalog essays, digital content• Collaborate closely with Communications Designer to plan overall design of the exhibition in thegallery and to design the exhibition catalog• Collaborate closely with Special Collections Librarian and Book Conservator to assess andmanage the books and other artifacts to be displayed in the gallery cases• Manage exhibition budget and work with Development Department to provide content for grantproposals• Suggest and coordinate related events and exhibition launch in close collaboration with theProgramming Department• Perform related duties as assigned by manager• Maintain compliance with all Library policies and procedures
