Anishnaabe Curator - Grand Rapids Public Museum

Posted on 5/12/23

FLSA Status: Salary, Exempt

Hours: Full-Time - 40 hours per week, days, nights, weekends, and holidays (as required)

Start Date: June 1, 2023

Compensation: $55,000 annually

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is the oldest and second-largest museum in Michigan. We are a place of

never-ending learning and discovery, with programs and exhibits focusing on history, science, and culture.

The employee culture of the GRPM is one of teamwork, excitement, and learning. As an integral part of

the West Michigan community, the Museum is open daily to visitors and hosts after-hours public events,

programs, private events, and weddings. The entire GRPM team works to create positive visitor

experiences through engaging exhibits and programs, and a safe, clean, welcoming space.

SUMMARY: The Anishnaabe Curator will work closely with GRPM staff from a variety of departments,

including Curatorial, Education, Exhibits, and Marketing to help create an overall museum experience

that is inclusive and representative of indigenous knowledge and lifeways. This will include the

evaluation of existing Native American collections, programs, and exhibits and assisting in developing

new ones. The right candidate will bring valuable perspectives to museum work in general, not just those

pieces specifically related to indigenous people.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES including, but not limited to:

• Consult and collaborate with Tribes and other partners on the co-management of the Grand River Burial Mounds (Norton Mounds).
• Facilitate the Eshtoojik group which is responsible for enhancements to the GRPM’s core exhibit “Anishinabek: First People of this Place”.
• Participate in the research, consultation, publication and repatriation processes required of the GRPM under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). This includes the care of the ancestors, funerary objects, and sacred and ceremonial objects in the GRPM’s  collections.
• Participate in the development of educational content for programming at the GRPM.
• Supervise interns to assist with museum projects and community engagement.
• Develop the Native American collections by identifying objects to acquire, carrying out research, and ensuring proper stewardship.
• Provide access to the collections in a manner that recognizes the Museum’s mission to be a resource for all of our constituents, but especially for the Native community and tribal partners through a variety of programs, tours, and initiatives.
• Seek out, apply for, and manage grant funds that support indigenous-focused initiatives.

EXPERIENCE:

• Experience engaging with the Native community (REQUIRED)
• Experience working with community groups and/or tribal governments (REQUIRED)
• Experience facilitating meetings with diverse participants (Preferred)
• Experience with tribal cultural resource management (Preferred)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Project management experience (HIGHLY Preferred)
• Grant management experience for both government and private foundation grants (HIGHLY Preferred)

EDUCATION:

● Bachelor’s degree in appropriate field (Native Studies, Anthropology, Public History, etc.) (Preferred)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

● Manual dexterity to operate equipment, bend, stoop, climb, ability to lift 50 pounds, operate power and hand tools.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

● Professional, multiple settings that include standard business office, climate controlled warehouse storage areas, field work, and public exhibition galleries.