Conference Materials - Small Spaces, Big Ideas - Emily Schultz and Sarah Coster

Here are some materials from the well-received session, "Small Spaces, Big Ideas - Designing Temporary Exhibits for Historic House Museums" from the 2011 Conference.  We will be posting more conference materials over the next few weeks, to inspire you to develop a session for the 2012 Conference.  Watch this space, we will be issuing a Call for Proposals for 2012 very soon!!

Small Spaces, Big Ideas Presentation Outline

Small Spaces, Big Ideas Power Point

Exhibit Script-Writing Cheat Sheet

Step-By-Step Exhibit Planning

Employment Opportunity with the Society of the Cincinnati

Museum Collections Manager

The Society of the Cincinnati

The Society of the Cincinnati, a nonprofit historical and educational organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., seeks a full-time museum collections manager to oversee the care and preservation of its museum collections, which include more than 4,000 works of art and artifacts, including portraits, armaments, furniture, textiles, and other decorative arts objects. Founded in 1783, the Society strives to promote increased public awareness of the American Revolution and its achievements. Since 1938 the Society has maintained its headquarters at Anderson House, a 1905 Beaux Arts mansion and National Historic Landmark in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.societyofthecincinnati.org.

Major Duties:

The museum collections manager is the primary staff member charged with maintaining the Society’s museum collections and the records that document them. Major duties include:

• processing museum acquisitions, including accessioning, cataloging, and deaccessioning

• maintaining the collections management database and object files

• evaluating collections storage conditions and developing a plan for their improvement

• developing a museum housekeeping plan

• monitoring environmental conditions in the museum and collections storage rooms

• arranging incoming and outgoing loans for exhibitions at Anderson House and other venues

• conducting periodic collections inventories

• contributing to emergency preparedness and museum security procedures

• processing image reproduction requests and assisting with collections research requests

• assisting with exhibition planning and installation

• assisting with identifying conservation priorities

• participating in the development and execution of public programs

Qualifications:

A Master’s degree in history, art history, American studies, museum studies, or a closely related field is strongly preferred. At least two to three years of professional experience working with museum collections and collections management software (particularly Past Perfect) is also strongly preferred. A successful candidate will be familiar with collections management standards and have experience with proper methods for museum registration, object care and storage, and loans. Familiarity with the history and material culture of the American Revolution, Washington, D.C., and/or the Gilded Age is a plus. A successful candidate should be an excellent writer and an effective speaker and should be organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working on several projects simultaneously. Some physical activity such as climbing ladders, lifting, and kneeling is required, as are occasional evening and weekend hours.

Salary and Benefits:

This is a mid-level position on the professional staff of the Society of the Cincinnati with an annual salary in the range of $36,000-$43,000. Excellent benefits include annual leave, health insurance, a 401(k) plan, a commuting stipend, and professional development opportunities.

To apply, send a resume and cover letter, including mention of where you learned about this opening, by Friday, July 15 to:

Emily L. Schulz

Deputy Director and Curator

The Society of the Cincinnati

2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

Washington, DC  20008

eschulz@societyofthecincinnati.org

Textile Workshop

The Tri-State Coalition of Historic Places invites you to a workshop on textiles, being held June 16, 2011 in New Castle, DE.  Details and registration information can be found at: Tri-State Workshop.

Employment Opportunity with the Society of the Cincinnati

Historical Education Programs Manager:  The Society of the Cincinnati, a non-profit historical society, is seeking a professional to develop and manage educational programs on the American Revolution with particular emphasis on the War for Independence and its American and French leaders. The Society’s focus is on influencing educators and educational decision-makers and on creating and distributing educational materials rather than on staging programs for students.

A successful candidate will have a B.A. in history or a closely allied subject (M.A. preferred), detailed knowledge of the history of the American Revolution, excellent writing and verbal abilities, strong editorial skills and familiarity with educational outreach programs and advocacy, as well as proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with website design techniques.  Proficiency in spoken and written French would be valued highly but is not a requirement.  A candidate with experience teaching American history will receive serious consideration, as will a candidate with experience in a professional position in museum education.  Detailed knowledge about the American Revolution is an inflexible prerequisite.  Apply only if you possess such knowledge now.  Willingness to learn is not a substitute.

This is a full-time position on the professional staff of The Society of the Cincinnati at its headquarters in Washington, D.C.  Annual salary in the range of $36,000-$43,000 and excellent benefits.  Applicant must be available to start September 6 or before.  Position will be open until filled.

Send resume and cover letter to the Executive Director, The Society of the Cincinnati, 2118 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008.  Applications may be sent by electronic mail (please include your name in the name of each attached document (e.g., Robert Jones Resume, Susan Smith Cover Letter) to admin@societyofthecincinnati.org. Recent college graduates with little applicable work experience will be considered, but must include copies of their undergraduate and (if applicable) graduate school transcripts.