Curator of Exhibitions

The Museum of Danish America seeks to fill the full-time role of Albert Ravenholt Curator of Danish-American Culture, an endowed position responsible for the museum’s exhibitions and related activities. This position is responsible for maintaining a robust traveling exhibition program, rotating temporary exhibitions in the museum galleries, coordinating related public programs for audiences of all ages, and supervising interns and volunteers. This position is also involved in strategic acquisition priorities, especially in the area of Danish ceramics and Danish art and design.

Job Description: The Albert Ravenholt Curator of Danish-American Culture is responsible for communicating the museum’s interpretive content to multiple constituencies through a variety of media. As curator of exhibitions, this person will design, fabricate and coordinate exhibitions for display at the museum, for travel, and for online platforms. This person will function as a researcher and historian becoming knowledgeable in the history and culture of the Danish-American experience as well as relations between Denmark and the United States. This position also works to share the stories of Danish America in a way that is relevant and welcoming to audiences of all backgrounds. In addition to initiating, planning, and managing exhibits, the individual will give public presentations, work with the Registrar to assure artifact preservation and collection management, and coordinate educational opportunities with the Youth and Community Educator. The Albert Ravenholt Curator of Danish-American Culture reports directly to the Executive Director.

Established in 1983, the Museum of Danish America (formerly known as The Danish Immigrant Museum) is located midway between Des Moines, IA and Omaha, NE on 35 acres of recreated prairie in the heart of the largest rural settlement of Danes in the United States. The museum’s mission explores the Danish-American experience, the historic and modern influences of Denmark on the United States and the continuing story of how a nation of immigrants shape American identify. It is the only AAM-accredited national museum dedicated to collecting and interpreting the Danish-American experience. The museum has a collection of over 30,000 artifacts, an active traveling exhibit program, and a membership of over 3,000 from across the United States, Denmark and seven other countries. Guidance is provided by a twenty-five-member Board of Directors from across the United States and Denmark. It has a staff of eleven full-time employees, four part-time employees and an active internship program hosting Danish and American graduate students annually.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree or above in one or more of the following disciplines required: humanities, social sciences, museum studies, education, or related subject;
• Advanced degree in museum studies or related field is preferred;
• Excellent writing, project management, interpersonal and team building skills are essential;
• Experience in traveling exhibits is highly desired;
• Knowledge of history, particularly immigrant history, with some knowledge of Scandinavian and/or Danish history preferred;
• Bilingual abilities involving Danish or one of the Scandinavian languages are desired, but not required;
• Strong computer skills required for research and administrative skills; experience in PastPerfect is helpful.

Salary: Starting salary commensurate with qualifications and experience (range of $40,000 to $45,000). Benefits package includes paid health insurance, paid vacation, and paid sick leave. Relocation allowance of up to $2000.

Interested individuals may learn more about the Museum of Danish America by visiting our website: www.danishmusem.org

The Museum of Danish America is committed to creating a diverse environment and is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Applications will be accepted through December 1, 2023. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and three letters of recommendation via email: info@danishmuseum.org; via mail: Terri Johnson, Administrative Manager, Museum of Danish America, 2212 Washington Street, Elk Horn, Iowa 51531.