Organizer Information
The San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) is a major encyclopedic museum located in San Antonio, Texas, United States. Housed in the historic Lone Star Brewery complex along the River Walk, the institution maintains a collection of approximately 30,000 works spanning 5,000 years of global art history. Its holdings are especially strong in American, European, Asian, Ancient Mediterranean, and contemporary art.
SAMA operates as a civic cultural hub, offering exhibitions, public programs, educational initiatives, lectures, performances, and symposia. The museum plays a significant role in shaping regional cultural life while maintaining active national and international scholarly engagement. Its curatorial departments are deeply research-driven and closely integrated with conservation, education, and public outreach functions.
Title & Description
Marie and Hugh Halff Jr. Curator of American Art – San Antonio Museum of Art
The San Antonio Museum of Art is seeking an experienced museum professional for the position of Marie and Hugh Halff Jr. Curator of American Art. This senior-level curatorial role is responsible for overseeing the museum’s American Art collection, which includes more than 1,500 works spanning late 18th to early 20th-century Painting, Photography, works on paper, and decorative arts.
In addition to American Art, the curator also holds responsibility for the museum’s European Art collection, including the Rowan Collection of Irish silver. The role operates at an open rank level, welcoming candidates from mid-career to senior curatorial backgrounds.
The position is central to shaping the museum’s curatorial vision, strengthening collections, developing exhibitions, and advancing scholarship, public engagement, and institutional strategy.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Full-time, exempt
- Department: Curatorial Department
- Reports To: Chief Curator
- Salary: $65,000 – $90,000 (commensurate with experience)
- Institutional Role: Senior Curator (American & European Art)
- Core Function: Collection oversight, research leadership, exhibition development, and institutional representation
Position & Tasks
Collection Stewardship & Research
- Oversee care, conservation, installation, and long-term management of American and European art collections
- Conduct advanced provenance and collection-based research
- Produce scholarly publications and contribute to academic discourse in Art History and museum studies
Curatorial Strategy & Exhibitions
- Collaborate with leadership to develop a long-term collection strategy and curatorial vision
- Design and implement Exhibition programs and permanent collection installations
- Strengthen interpretive frameworks connecting American and European art with broader museum narratives
Institutional Collaboration
- Work with collections, conservation, education, marketing, and development departments
- Support fundraising initiatives for exhibitions and acquisitions
- Contribute to public programming, docent training, and educational outreach
Public Representation & Leadership
- Represent the museum to donors, scholars, board members, and the public
- Deliver lectures, publish research, and participate in international conferences
- Build partnerships with external institutions, scholars, and cultural organizations
- Supervise and mentor junior curatorial staff, interns, and fellows
Categories
- Curatorial
- Visual Arts
- Painting
- Photography
- Art History / Research
- Exhibition
- Art Management
- Cultural Heritage
- Museum Studies
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to experienced museum professionals, curators, and art historians. Applicants should have:
- 7–10 years of curatorial experience in accredited institutions
- M.A. in Art History, American Studies, or related field (PhD strongly preferred)
- Strong expertise in American and/or European art history
- Proven experience in Exhibition development and collection management
- Advanced research, writing, and publication record
- Strong leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration skills
Preferred qualifications include experience in:
- Museum administration and strategic planning
- Public programming and educational collaboration
- International research and professional engagement
Program Benefits
- Full-time salaried senior curatorial position
- Annual salary range: $65,000–$90,000
- Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, life insurance)
- Retirement plan (403(b) with employer contribution)
- Paid leave, sick leave, and holidays
- Opportunity to lead major American and European art collections
- Institutional support for research, travel, and professional development
- High-level visibility in international museum networks
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- CV / Résumé
- Academic credentials (MA/PhD preferred)
- Cover letter detailing curatorial experience and research focus
- Supporting professional documentation (publications, exhibition history)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: Ongoing
- Employment Type: Full-time, ongoing position
Location
San Antonio, Texas, United States
Additional Details
- Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States (E-Verify required)
- The role involves physical activity, including walking, lifting, and installation oversight
- Work takes place in a multi-level historic museum building
- The museum emphasizes equity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunity
- The institution is strongly research-oriented and publicly engaged, with frequent events and collaborations across disciplines