The Henry Ford is a nonprofit organization, an internationally recognized cultural destination, and a one-of-a-kind workplace. Our team is inspired daily by one another as well as the authentic stories of innovation that we share across our four venues. We want you to be part of this legacy and take it forward.

The Curator of Political and Civic Engagement manages and participates in the growth, research, and interpretation of The Henry Ford's political, social justice, and civic engagement collections. These collections document the ways in which individuals have transformed society through political processes—whether singly or as part of groups or movements, whether via legislative procedures or through activism and protest, whether through overt political action or through creative expression. Responsibilities also include participation in exhibition and program development—particularly via community engagement and outreach—creation of curated content in digital and physical forms, as well as other relevant initiatives at The Henry Ford.

Essential Responsibilities

• Maintains deep and broad understanding of significant American objects, stories, and lives that are relevant to the programming and collecting initiatives of The Henry Ford.

• Maintains deep and broad understanding of major collection areas and keeps abreast of the latest scholarship on historical and material culture issues relating to those collections.

• Develops collections plans that align strategically with the mission and the vision of The Henry Ford.

• Reports to the Chief Curator; works with Chief Curator and other curators to develop collections.

• Guided by the collections plans, is responsible for growing and editing the collections in an ethical and legal manner.

• Identifies key artifacts for acquisition by the institution through the active cultivation of donors and other potential sources.

• Analyzes new acquisitions using current knowledge and understanding of material culture to ensure they are authentic and genuine.

• Guides conservation, collections management, and registrars to prioritize and recommend treatments, accessibility, and cataloging based on exhibit needs, programmatic use, and online access.

• Responsible for development of creative work which includes, but is not limited to, publication in any medium, product and program development and design, and all related collateral materials.

• Responsible for cataloguing collections, including writing narratives for online presentations according to specified deadlines.

• Recommends objects for exhibition and program use, ensuring accuracy, authenticity, and accessibility.

• Practices a high standard of public history using the best scholarship and practices to create broadly accessible programs and products for the diverse audiences served by The Henry Ford.

• Collaborates with the Curatorial, Education, and Program staff to develop educational and public programs, including installations and products for all venues; creates written manuals and trains interpretive staff for new and/or revised programs.

• Serves as an institutional spokesperson for a variety of subjects and collection areas; offers lectures, tours, and/or classes as required.

• Positions the institution as a nationally significant leader in the historical and museum fields by publishing on collections, exhibitions, and/or areas of expertise; developing symposia and participating in panels and conferences; consulting with other institutions.

• Offers research, historical and material culture expertise for the development of institutional initiatives, including public relations, marketing, retail, food services, and other projects.
  

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in history or related field.

• Five or more years of professional museum or related experience.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office software.

Preferred Experience and Special Skills

• Experience in developing, managing, and interpreting museum collections preferred.

• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.

• Deep knowledge of United States political history.

• Demonstrated knowledge of American social and cultural history from the 18th century to the present, with an emphasis on the late 20th century onwards.

• Knowledge of American social and cultural history with an emphasis on developments in the contemporary arena.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the history of political / social movements, with an in-depth knowledge of present day social, political, and subcultural movements and activity.

• Knowledge of American material culture with proven ability to research and interpret social and cultural history through material culture.

• Extremely strong and varied program development skills.

• Good interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, and consensus-building skills.

• Ability to develop creative work in a variety of media.
  

This job description is subject to change at any time.

It is the policy of The Henry Ford to prohibit discrimination in any employment, donor or volunteering opportunity (including but not limited to recruitment, hire, employment, program participation, promotion, salary, benefits, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment or service as a volunteer) based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, genetic information, pregnancy, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical/mental disability. Marital/domestic partner status, military and veteran status, height, weight or any other such characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. This Policy applies to all of our employees, donors and volunteers to ensure that they are treated without discrimination.