The Milwaukee Art Museum seeks an expert in 19th century French graphic art to oversee a works on paper collection that includes works from the Renaissance through the 20th century. The core of this is a comprehensive collection of posters by the founder of the French poster movement, Jules Chéret. The collection of over 600 works is housed in the Museum and is a promised gift. As a major incoming project the curator will catalogue this collection, and organize a major traveling exhibition of Jules Chéret’s work. The Associate Curator will also be responsible for the periodic rotations of the Chéret collection in the European graphics gallery and a small presentation in the research library, as well as other works on paper rotations in the museum. The Associate Curator will work with conservators, registrars and the Collection Manager of Works on Paper to assess condition, framing and storage needs. They will also work with students and visiting scholars to encourage and facilitate the study of the Chéret collection in the Herzfeld Study Center at the Museum.

The Milwaukee Art Museum has recently completed a $34 million renovation to the collection wing which provides for graphic art to be integrated into the collection areas. The Museum’s graphic arts collection includes strengths in 17th century Northern European and 19th century European. Milwaukee Art Museum is also home to the Landfall Press Archives.

Qualifications:
M.A. in Art History, Ph.D. preferred, with a focus on 19th century French art
2 – 5 years Museum experience
Have a proven record of exhibition organization
Excellent writing and speaking skills
Possess the ability to work with the Museum’s other departments to coordinate related programs

Duties & Responsibilities:
Catalogues, researching, rotations, major exhibitions and collection care for promised gift of Jules Chéret posters; caring for the museum's comprehensive collection of over 12,000 prints and drawings; curating exhibitions in the print and drawing gallery and the museum's main special exhibition space; overseeing rotations of works-on-paper; acquisitions and donor relations; staff liaison to Print Forum, a volunteer institutional support group; managing the museum's new print room and study center. Salary and benefits are competitive.

Exhibitions:
Curate three to four exhibitions per year, including Jules Chéret rotations. S/he will also be required to curate exhibitions in one of the museum’s main special exhibition spaces. This will include a special exhibition of the Chéret posters in the Bradley Family Gallery. Exhibitions are primarily collection based, but also include loan shows and other traveling loan exhibitions. Also, oversee the rotation of the works on paper collection in the galleries.

Collection care and development:
Work with the Collection Manager of Works on Paper to manage the collection’s storage and presentation. Work with collectors and dealers and the Chief Curator and Director to acquire works of art through donation and/or purchase.

Print Forum:
Lead Print Forum, a volunteer institutional support group, to develop 4-6 programs (lectures, trips, symposiums, and special events) per year and secure acquisitions.