Astor Curator and Department Head, Printed Books and Bindings, The Morgan Library & Museum, New York City, NY

Posted May 25, 2021

Description:

The Morgan Library & Museum seeks an ambitious, experienced, and outgoing curator
to lead its Department of Printed Books and Bindings. The Astor Curator and
Department Head stewards and interprets the Morgan’s renowned printed book
collection, which extends from the invention of printing to contemporary first editions.
Subject strengths include incunables, fine bindings and printing, illustrated books,
children’s books, association copies, and notable publications of major authors in
England, France, and America. Among the highlights are three Gutenberg Bibles, a
remarkable run of Aldines, Grolier bindings, French book illustration 1700 to 1914,
World War I poetry, Man Booker Prize fiction, and the Carter Burden collection of
American literature.

The Astor Curator will conceive, initiate, and execute exhibitions and projects, including
sophisticated and compelling exhibitions from the Morgan’s own holdings, exhibitions
based primarily on loans from other institutions, and traveling exhibitions. The Astor
Curator will be responsible for overseeing the long-term growth, preservation, and
documentation of the collection and for supporting the work of outside researchers, and
will be an advocate for the collection and the mission of the Morgan, building
understanding of the collection through new scholarship, public programs, publications,
and digital projects.

The Astor Curator will be a dynamic leader in the field, well-regarded among peers, who
is comfortable and happy participating in activities on- and off-site related to the rare-
book world. They will be able to move easily between scholarly work and engagement
with the Morgan’s various communities. The Printed Books and Bindings department
has a sizable acquisitions budget and candidates should be familiar with developing
collections and comfortable making strategic acquisitions through both purchases and
gifts.

Candidates should have excellent donor-cultivation skills and be eager to forge strong
relationships with collectors and donors and to serve as liaison to the department’s
Visiting Committee. The ideal candidate will be an articulate ambassador for the Morgan
in the scholarly community and with donors and the general public.
The position oversees a staff of two associate curators and may oversee fellows.
The Morgan strongly encourages applicants with a demonstrated commitment to fostering
diversity, inclusion, and gender equity in programming, outreach, hiring, and collection
development. The Morgan Library & Museum is committed to diversity and is proud to be an
equal opportunity employer.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Specific duties include:
Exhibitions, Programming, and Publications
 Propose and organize exhibitions that highlight the collection and tell stories that
deepen engagement with the material in innovative ways.
 Secure loans or exhibitions organized by other institutions that help bring attention to
the Morgan’s mission and collections.
 Develop public programs and events in collaboration with other Morgan staff to
promote awareness and understanding of the collection and to bring attention to the
contemporary relevance of the collection’s holdings in diverse ways.
 Develop publications and digital projects to accompany exhibitions and programs.
Collections Stewardship and Scholarly Access
 Identify and implement strategic acquisitions for the department.
 Oversee and prioritize departmental activities related to the collection, including
research, care, storage and conservation initiatives.
 Build and maintain active relationships with booksellers and auction houses, staying
abreast of acquisition opportunities for the collection.
 Build and extend networks with other museums, libraries and collections.
 Support the work of outside researchers.

Departmental Management
 Mentor and manage a professional departmental staff and foster a culture of
excellence and collaboration. May also oversee fellows.
External Relations
 Cultivate and help secure external support for the department, in conjunction with
the Director and the development staff.
 Serve as an ambassador for the Morgan’s Printed Books and Binding collection on-
and off-site, and enthusiastically attend events at the Morgan and in the community
with collectors, book dealers, scholars, professional colleagues, the press and
members of the general public.
QUALIFICATIONS: 
 Experience analyzing primary materials in libraries or other special collections.
 Experience with exhibition and publication development; experience with exhibition
loans and traveling shows desirable.

 Knowledge of the antiquarian book trade and experience with acquisitions and
building special collections. Strong network and contacts with book dealers and
auction houses desirable.
 Graduate degree in relevant field, PhD preferred.
 Strong liberal-arts foundation, especially in Western European and American
literature and history. A broad generalist with primary expertise in the 16 th – 19 th
centuries preferred.
 Knowledge of printing history and descriptive bibliography. Familiarity with the care
and handling of rare books.
 Experience working with donors and identifying funding sources desired.
 Experience managing staff and a track record of mentorship, collaboration and
teamwork.
 Ability to interpret literary, historical and bibliographical scholarship for the general
public.
 Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, researchers, students, and critics.
Strong writing and public speaking skills.
 Reading knowledge of Latin preferred, and at least one other European language.
Personal Characteristics
 Dynamic leadership skills, a person who is confident and resourceful and able to
inspire others.
 Has a collaborative work style, comfortable sharing credit and resources with peers
and other staff to fulfill the Morgan’s mission; able and interested in mentoring staff.
 Passionate about the world of printed books and special collections and eager to
foster broader interest in the field for museum visitors.
 Able to juggle many balls at once, concurrently setting priorities, meeting short-term
deadlines, and pursuing long-term goals and initiatives.
 Comfortable at and enjoys social interactions with members, donors and collectors.

Compensation: 
$115,000 – $140,000, commensurate with experience; excellent benefits.

How to apply:

Nominations welcome.
Qualified candidates should email their cover letter, résumé or CV (Word documents
preferred), and names of 3 references with contact information to retained search firm:
Attn: Connie Rosemont, Museum Search & Reference, SearchandRef@museum-
search.com. New applicants only. Apply in confidence. References will not be contacted
without prior permission of the applicant. For additional information, visit: www.museum-
search.com/open-searches/. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as
soon as possible, but no later than July 6, 2021. Applications are reviewed on a rolling
basis.

OPPORTUNITIES OF THE JOB AND LOCATION
This position offers the opportunity to join a prestigious, established museum and library
with an extraordinary collection located in the heart of Manhattan.
The position presents the following opportunities and assets:
 The chance to work at the Morgan with its world-renowned collections of illuminated,
literary, historical manuscripts; printed books and bindings; drawings; photography;
and ancient Near Eastern seals and tablets.
 A senior, endowed position at an accredited AAMD museum with significant
resources – an annual budget in the range of $20 million and an endowment of
nearly $300 million, with strong donor support.
 A wide scope of curatorial activities, including curating exhibitions, organizing
symposia and seminars, conducting research and publishing.
 The ability to seek out and recommend remarkable items for acquisition; and an
acquisition budget to make possible purchases beyond gifts.
 The opportunity to serve a large audience of local, national and international visitors
annually, plus many more online, thereby impacting hundreds of thousands of lives.
 To work with intellectually stimulating colleagues, in a top-flight institution.
 A competitive salary and excellent benefits.
 A beautiful campus of 3 landmarked buildings, with the interior of the historic library
restored in 2010 and the expansion by architect Renzo Piano completed in 2006.
 Access to an updated, in-house professional conservation facility for paper and
books.
 To work under a Director who encourages ambitious initiatives for the Morgan,
including its exhibitions and publications.
 A location in New York City at the center of the art, literary and performing arts
world, with major museums, performing arts centers, dealers and auction houses
nearby, as well as antique and antiquarian book fairs.
 Multiple universities and colleges, including NYU, Columbia University, Bard, and
CUNY provide constant intellectual offerings, lectures, panels, and culturally
transformative projects that exemplify an international intellectual and literary
destination.
 Outdoor recreational opportunities in the city for cycling, walking, beaches, ocean
and river views, and many parks and trails.