Lead Curator of Special Exhibitions (Preservation and Museum Specialist 4)

March 14, 2026

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<div style="text-align: center;"><img class="fr-fic fr-dib" src="" style="width: 101.0px;"></div> <div style="text-align: center;">This posting is open until filled, however, the hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. Application review will begin the week of July 3,2023. It will be in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.</div> Schedule: Typically M-F 8 am–5 pm. Flexible hours/some telework possible. Hours are adjusted occasionally to allow for evening and weekend exhibition-related activities, support outreach, program activities, and some trainings. What you will be doing: As exhibitions and supporting aspects are a fundamental element of the Washington State Historical Society’s mission of partnering with our communities to explore how history connects us all, the interpretation of the stories, images, and objects of our state’s past helps residents and visitors to understand the present and shape the future. The Society’s strategic plan contains a focus on both permanent and temporary exhibitions that are of the highest quality while fitting within current museum trends and best practices, including community collaboration where appropriate. As the Lead Curator for Special Exhibitions (LCSE), you’ll report to the Head Curator and serve as LCSE for the Exhibitions division of the Audience Engagement Department, acting as lead to part-time gallery guides assigned to special and permanent exhibitions. You’ll work closely with other members of the WSHS team, including the Education division of Audience Engagement, Collections, and Marketing/Communications. ?With exhibition staff, you will collaborate to determine themes/topics, objectives, and outcomes for new exhibitions, as well as researching and developing exhibition content and identifying components and collections to be included in exhibitions. As part of this role, you will also develop panel and traveling exhibitions as tools for outside engagement and maintains relationships with exhibition stakeholders and community partners and also develops digital tools related to exhibitions and engagement. A little about us: Founded in 1891 and now into its second century of service, the Washington State Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and vividly presenting Washington's diverse and storied history. Our work illuminates the past, enlightens the present, and informs the future. Our mission is to partner with our communities to explore how history connects us all. Our vision is to be the recognized destination for Washington State history. We achieve this by serving as our state's primary history educator, making history relevant to our modern lives, and supporting civic dialogue where all are welcome. The Society serves individuals and organizations statewide through publications, outreach programs, curriculum, free virtual public programs, and other online services. However, the majority of the Society's interactions with the public occur at the Washington State History Museum, located in Tacoma, Washington. The Museum traditionally serves more than 80,000 annually, including more than 15,000 K-12 school children visiting the museum on a field trip. We also welcome more than 10,000 visitors free of charge each year through a variety of access programs. We are much more than a regional museum. We continually ask ourselves how we can better serve Washingtonians across our state. Our Heritage Capital Projects grant program distributes up to $10M per biennium to fund public heritage, history interpretation, and historic preservation projects across the state. Our popular public history magazine COLUMBIA is enjoyed by readers of all ages. And the Historical Society’s collections at our Research Center, along with a digital collections database, are a resource to scholars and researchers from across the nation. The Washington State Historical Society is a dynamic place to work with a dedicated staff. We expand our impact by connecting with communities across the Evergreen State through exhibitions, heritage projects, workshops, public programs, publications, and conversations. Our goal is to bring history into focus in such a way that the participant cannot help but discover valuable insights from and feel deep connections with the people and events of the past. We have an active commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility and are looking for team members who have a passion for professionalism and serving the public, and a desire to contribute to a positive work culture. Some of what you’ll enjoy doing: <ul><li>Conducting historical research for the development of special exhibition content, including consultation with stakeholders and community partners<li>In collaboration with the Director of Exhibitions & Programs, Head Curator, and other staff, develops exhibition look and feel, topics, themes, objectives/outcomes, collections items, and potential interactives<li>Working with other institutions, artists, collectors, colleagues, the Head Curator and the Collections staff to facilitate loans and permissions <li>Creating and assisting with the development and maintenance of exhibition checklists, image files, lenders, and other exhibition details<li>Developing, coordinating, and editing exhibition prospecti, descriptions, checklists, and didactic materials such as wall text, labels, and digital content<li>Working with the Registrar, Collections staff, and Exhibitions team, provides logistical and administrative support in coordinating exhibitions<li>Conducting curatorial research for the development of traveling/outreach/digital/online exhibition content, including consultation with stakeholders and community partners<li>Working with other institutions, artists, collectors, colleagues, the Head Curator and the Collections staff to facilitate loans and permissions<li>Developing, coordinating, and editing exhibition descriptions, checklists, and didactic materials such as wall text, labels, and digital content<li>Adapting pre-existing content from previous WSHS-generated exhibitions to a format for traveling<li>or outreach exhibition including the preparation of files and images into print-ready materials and the coordination of outsource printing and production with exhibitions team and/or a variety of vendors as required/requested <li>Working with other members of WSHS staff including Collections, Exhibitions, and Outreach departments, provides logistical and administrative support in coordinating exhibitions travel and rental arrangements<li>Collaborating with exhibitions, collections, education, and marketing staff, as appropriate, to create online exhibitions and digital exhibition tools<li>Training, assigning, and instructing the work of and schedules part-time Gallery Guides<li>Delivering or supporting programs associated with new exhibitions such as gallery talks, lectures, symposium, or staff/volunteer trainings. <li>Drafting informational material for the Marketing and Communications team in collaboration with the Head Curator, Head of Audience Engagement, and/or other project staff</ul> REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree in the field of history, Pacific Northwest history, American history, Indigenous studies, Ethnic studies, museology, art, art history, history, or other relevant field (Experience may substitute year-for-year for education) AND <ul><li>Four years of experience as a museum curator<li>Knowledge of museum and exhibition methods and practices<li>Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility<li>Strong writing, communication, and editing skills<li>Ability to work independently as well as closely with a small team<li>Experience with project management including setting timelines, establishing deliverables, communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders, and meeting deadlines on a variety of projects happening simultaneously<li>Ability to manage multiple projects responsively, shifting workflow/timeline when necessary and as needed<li>Ability to assess progress, address problems, and develop creative solutions<li>Proficient with Microsoft Office products</ul>PREFERRED: <ul><li>Broad knowledge of Pacific Northwest history, particularly as it pertains to the history of Washington State<li>Master's degree in the field of history, Pacific Northwest history, American history, Indigenous studies, Ethnic studies, museology, art, art history, history, or other relevant field<li>Experience working with exhibition planning and/or project management tools such as Monday.com, Curia or like applications <li>Experience working with KE Emu CMS or other collections management tools<li>Familiar with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)<li>Experience working at a history museum, historical society, or heritage organization<li>Experience with digital exhibition delivery tools/platforms</ul> Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position: <ul style="list-style-type: disc;padding: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 40.0px;color: inherit;font-style: normal;text-align: left;text-indent: 0.0px;" type="disc"><li style="list-style-type: inherit;padding: 0.0px;margin: 0.0px;">A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting; <li style="list-style-type: inherit;padding: 0.0px;margin: 0.0px;">A current resume, detailing experience, and education<li style="list-style-type: inherit;padding: 0.0px;margin: 0.0px;">A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)</ul>NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the application. Please do not refer to resume for detail, or your application may be disqualified. Union Inclusion: This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). Conditions of Employment: Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. Opportunity for All: The Washington State Historical Society celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws. <div style="text-align: center;">You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.</div> Contact Information: For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or email <a href="mailto:jobs@des.wa.gov" style="color: inherit;text-decoration: none;font-style: normal;text-align: left;text-indent: 0.0px;">jobs@des.wa.gov</a>. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.

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