Harvard University invites applications and nominations for the Philip Hofer Curator of Printing and Graphic Arts (P&GA) at Houghton Library. The Curator provides vision, leadership, advocacy, interpretation, and passion for the collection and serves as catalyst and coordinator for a dynamic group of activities and individuals dedicated to connecting the holdings of P&GA to Harvard faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, and an international community of scholars, artists, and other researchers and enthusiasts.
The Curator will have enthusiasm and demonstrated ability for sharing and interpreting the collection in the classroom, in the reading room, in the digital sphere, in publications, and through exhibitions and programming and for communicating the value, power, and contemporary relevance of printing and the graphic arts to expert and general audiences. The Curator will have an extraordinary opportunity to build and shape the collection and will develop and implement a strategy that incorporates diverse cultures, new and evolving technologies, and the role of printing and graphic arts in social and political change.
Establishes and implements vision and strategic and annual goals for Printing and Graphic Arts
Collaborates with faculty to design and host classes that allow students to learn directly from the primary source holdings of P&GA
In collaboration with the Director of Scholarly and Public Programs, promotes P&GA by planning, managing, and creating content for a robust program of exhibitions, lectures, symposia, workshops, publications, websites, and other activities that present and interpret the holdings of P&GA for a wide set of audiences
Provides expert reference and research consultation for users of P&GA and, as appropriate, the holdings of Houghton Library
Creates and implements a strategy to guide collection development and works with dealers, private collectors, and donors to acquire materials for the collection through purchase and gift
In collaboration with the Director of Operations and Finance, manages the P&GA budget for acquisitions and programs
Participates in development efforts by cultivating donors and preparing funding proposals for gifts and grants
Develops a network of faculty, professional colleagues, book and manuscript dealers, donors, and others to advance the goals of P&GA and the library at large
Assists with the cataloging and archival processing of new acquisitions and materials in backlogs by assessing collections, establishing priorities, and providing input on catalog records and finding aids
Collaborates with librarians and library staff at Houghton, Harvard, and other institutions, as well as scholars and students, to identify, plan, and execute projects that supply access to P&GA holdings in digital form, so that they can be discovered and utilized using emerging research and teaching methodologies
Identifies items in need of conservation treatment and works with staff to develop, review, and approve treatment plans
Coordinates with Houghton registrar to review loan requests
Collaborates with Houghton administration, curators, and other staff to publicize, select, manage, and host research fellowships
As a member of the Collections Division, works with Houghton curators and other staff on long-range and annual planning and the development and implementation of curatorial policies and procedures
Collaborates as appropriate with staff of library collections and programs at Harvard, whose missions align with P&GA including the Fine Arts Library, the Harvard Art Museums, and others
Participates and assumes leadership roles in appropriate groups in Houghton Library, Harvard Library, and the university
Cultivates and maintains a strong presence in the research communities related to printing and graphic arts and in the library, archives, and museum profession.
May supervise staff, students, and interns