Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Geology curator sought for rededicated Arizona museum



The Arizona Historical Society has opened two museum curator positions for the new "Arizona Experience." The new museum is being built from the Arizona Mining & Mineral Museum which was transferred from the Dept. of Mines & Mineral Resources last year. The original concept for a Centennial Museum [right] based on Arizona's historical 5 C's has undergone considerable evolution and will focus more on Arizona's future.

The senior position is described as "a leadership position in the agency that will assist senior staff in determining program policy. The Museum Curator has principal responsibility for daily management and operation of the facility and it programs. In conjunction with appropriate staff, the position helps research, develop, and implement public programming. The position serves as the museum's "first" point of contact with the public thereby representing the agency to its diverse audiences. Working with a variety of stakeholders, the position has an opportunity to shape the museum's future direction."

The Arizona Historical Society also seeks a Curator 2 "having geological expertise to manage mineral collections and associated educational programming at its new museum, The Arizona Experience, a project of the state's 2012 Centennial. The position participates in the development of exhibits, programs, events, and other museum activities by performing technical and specialized work in these areas."
This position requires a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology with specialized knowledge of Arizona minerals/mineralogy; knowledge of research techniques; preparing, selecting, and cataloguing specimens; one year experience equivalent to curator responsibilities.

Preference will be given to candidates having a degree in a mineral-related field with museum experience.

*Familiarity with the discipline of geology
*Specialized knowledge of Arizona minerals/mineralogy
*Research techniques, preparing, selecting, and cataloging specimens
*Museum policies/procedures, and collections management
*Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships among team members and volunteers
*Ability to apply sound critical judgment
*Skills in oral and written communication
*Skill in conducting research
*Skill in curatorial skills such as handling and displaying specimens
*Skill in interpersonal relations and skills useful for interpreting and maintaining a historic building and/or modern facility.
*Skill in preparing exhibits and in preserving museum objects and document
*Skill in locating objects and documents for collection and/or loan
*Skill in registration, cataloging, and archival techniques
*Skill in basic photographic techniques, scanning and equipment use
*Skill in applying/interpreting historic research
*Ability to write reports, grant requests, research reports, etc.
*Ability to continue education or professional development through various settings-there should be a continuing program of acquiring and developing skills through study-practice and through attending workshops.

Applicants should go to the State Jobs site, and search for Curator or click here.

5 comments:

  1. This does not appear consistent with information put out by the Arizona Centennial 2012 foundation. Supposedly, the centennial museum will be similar to the Marley Center Museum in that it will feature $10 million of high tech interactive displays. Those displays will never change and include few actual historic artifacts, so what would a curator do?

    According to the contractors questionnaire, the museum will focus on the social issues related to the 5Cs. The Foundation website says there will be just one interactive (sounds permanent) mineral display. So, what would a geologist do?

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  2. Anonymous2:15 PM

    I really wish the State or the Historical Society would keep the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum with its wonderful rocks, minerals, and mining displays almost as it is now. It's a great musuem and the State could save a lot of money by just making some minor updates and repairs to the building. This museum could focus on one of the five C's. The other state historical museums could focus on the other C's. That would encourage people to go to several musuems throughout the State. I think that would be a good way to celebrate the centennial.

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  3. Anonymous2:17 PM

    I really wish the State or the Historical Society would keep the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum with its wonderful rocks, minerals, and mining displays almost as it is now. It's a great museum and the State could save a lot of money by just making some minor updates and repairs to the building. This museum could focus on one of the five C's. The other state historical museums could focus on the other C's. That would encourage people to go to several museums throughout the State. I think that would be a good way to celebrate the centennial.

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  4. Anonymous7:42 PM

    No need to tell us again. Try to find a genie to grant your wish. Lee can't do it.

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  5. According to the latest centennial museum floor plan, the mineral display will be only 500 square feet. What is a geology curator going to do?

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