Mission & Vision
Mission: to open minds and change lives through the exploration and celebration of African-American history and culture.
Vision: a world in which the adversities and achievements of African-American history inspire greater understanding, acceptance, and unity.
Current Openings
- Senior Archivist
Senior Archivist
Job Type: Full-time
Description
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History’s Curatorial Department is seeking a friendly and engaging Senior Archivist who will work closely with Collections staff and community partners to grow and manage fine art and art education archival records for the Wright Museum.
Essential Functions:
This position is a 2-year contracted benefits-eligible Senior Archivist reporting to the Director of Collections and Archives. The Senior Archivist is the Institutional Records Manager responsible for the access to, professional care, daily management, and maintenance of the specific fine art and art education archives including its organization, preservation, and storage. The Senior Archivist refines, implements, and upholds archival policies and procedures with regard to processing, documenting, and accessing archival collections. As part of the curatorial team, supports Collections Departmental efforts.
Major Tasks:
- Process fine art and art education archival records including rehousing and digitization.
- Coordinates and facilitates archives presentations and public programs to staff, researchers, research associates, and the public about this archival project.
- Responsible for archival maintenance
- Evaluates and coordinates the re-housing and stabilization of archives.
- Ensures compliance with government regulations related to archives.
- Ensures accurate and up-to-date inventories and reconciliation of archives and records, including spot check inventories.
- Responsible for the arrangement, and description of archival collections according to recognized archives standards (DACS, EAD, Dublin Core)
- Oversees housekeeping and IPM related activities, as pertains to archives.
- Coordinates the move of archives into new or improved storage conditions.
- Manages archival procedures
- Works with department team in the creation, development, and implementation of procedures manual; departmental goals and preservation planning in relation to this 2-year project.
- Implements and refines the museum’s records retention program in accordance with local, state, and federal law.
- Implements current procedures and develop new procedures for archival collections considering previous organizational and cataloging systems.
- Ensures current museum archives handling procedures are recorded and enforced.
- Responsible for providing scans of images and documents as needed using appropriate digital and metadata standards.
- Coordinates and facilitates archives use in public programs.
- Works with Director Collections and Archives in preparation of proposals, reports, and other associated documents.
- Responsible for implementation of Archives grant awards.
- Assists with maintaining department’s webpages as well as verifying legal photo usage on website.
- Acts as an enthusiastic advocate and personal representative for the Museum in the community by promoting its resources, programs and services.
- Supervises and trains archives assistants, interns, students and volunteers as needed.
- Other duties as needed.
Requirements
Abilities, Skills, and Knowledge:
- Knowledge of archives preservation requirements, storage needs, and registration procedures for archives.
- Up-to-date knowledge of professional standards and trends.
- Familiar with governmental regulations and legal requirements related to archives and experience in compliance with same.
- Familiarity with records produced by natural science, cultural and fine arts sources.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality in all professional matters.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate, orally and in writing, with staff, trustees, vendors and others.
- Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite or other similar products.
- Familiarity with Archives Space.
- Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team.
- Must be able to sit, stoop, stand for extended periods of time, lift heavy containers (50 lbs.) and handle fragile items.
- Visual acuity and ability to work at computer for extended period of time.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree with a focus in Information Sciences, Art History, History, Anthropology, Museum Studies, or other related field required; master's degree preferred (currently working on M.A. or M.L.I.S. in Archives, Library Science will be strongly considered)
- Professional experience in digital archiving is required.
- Strong knowledge of American and African American history, Art history, and Art education history is strongly preferred.
- Professional background in website design, public history, oral history, media production, and/or digital humanities preferred
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues
- Passion for the Museum's mission and the African American community
- Associate Curator
Associate Curator
Job Type: Full-time
Description
General Summary of Duties
A vital member of The Wright Staff, the Associate Curator is the driving force behind the identity of the museum’s curatorial programming, as well as the overall identity of The Wright at large. The Associate Curator significantly contributes to The Wright’s vision and ongoing growth.
This dynamic position includes speaking engagements acting as a representative of the institution, supervision of exhibition realization, ongoing collaboration with development and education teams, and multifaceted interaction with the community.
Essential Duties of the Position:
Exhibitions
- Develop and manage exhibitions and installations in the galleries as well as satellite projects outside the building/in the community.
- Curate exhibitions and produce supporting content for publications.
- Foster ongoing collaborative relationships with artists for existing and future exhibitions
- Alongside the VP of Exhibitions & Collections, approve final schedule of forthcoming exhibitions.
- Oversee installation and de-installation of exhibitions, including staff responsible for arranging crating, shipping, insurance, contracts, travel policies, and artwork loan agreements.
- Formulate and maintain budgets for exhibitions.
- Work with a variety of vendors and companies during the production process of exhibitions (fabricators, custom framers, painters, etc.)
Collaborate with VP of Learning & Engagement to coordinate complementary materials including wall text, brochure content, and artist talks.
Directorial Duties/Community Outreach
- Help shape The Wright’s creative vision through innovative programming and operational ideas.
- Make key decisions regarding planning and budget.
- Serve as a spokesperson for The Wright in the community and beyond.
- Moderate and facilitate artist panels and discussions.
- Initiate new forms of artist and museum engagement with the public.
External Affairs/PR/Development
- Provide interviews to local, national, and international media contacts.
- Collaborate with development team for grant and sponsorship proposals.
- Cultivate relationships with museum sponsors.
- Contribute to press releases on exhibitions.
Requirements
Required Education and Experience:
- Master’s degree in Art History, Fine Arts, History, arts administration, or related field required.
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in a museum or commercial gallery environment.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- Natural command for approaching exhibition-making in a critical, innovative capacity.
- Highly motivated, ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and to work independently as well as in a team environment.
- Maintains highest standards of integrity, including confidentiality of privileged information
- Excellent writing and public speaking abilities.
- Knowledge of museum management, collections/exhibitions management, curatorial principles and practices.
- High level of attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to set and meet deadlines.
- Personable demeanor.
- Director of Grants & Strategic Partnerships
Director of Grants & Strategic Partnerships
Job Type: Full-time
Description
Position Overview:
The Director of Grants and Strategic Partnerships leads The Wright’s efforts to secure funding through grants (government, corporate, private) while cultivating key partnerships to expand community impact and financial sustainability. This position manages the entire grant lifecycle, develops strategic relationships with stakeholders, and oversees, reports on, and aligns these efforts with organizational goals and strategic plans. This position reports to the Vice President of Development. This position may supervise staff or interns.
Essential Functions:
- Grant Management & Strategy: Identifying funding opportunities ,managing grant writing, and ensuring compliance with requirements.
- Strategic Partnerships: Cultivating and maintaining relationships with corporate, private, and governmental funders to align with organizational goals.
- Reporting & Compliance: Managing grant deliverables, tracking progress, and communicating impact to partners.
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Working with teams to define funding needs and develop proposals.
Additional Key Responsibilities:
- In partnership with institution leadership, support development strategy and oversee ongoing development efforts with public/private institutions.
- Work with key internal and external stakeholders to identify resources needed, funding prospects, and execute funding approaches.
- Design and implement an annual giving campaign in the form of an annual development plan that includes strategies and goals for annual giving.
- Support and partner with VP of Development on all major fundraising initiatives.
- Oversee development and execution of all fundraising proposals, including corporate sponsorship and local and national grants and grant compliance/reporting.
- Ensure prompt acknowledgement of foundation gifts.
- Submit grant requests, letters of inquiry, and proposals.
- Tracks performance against grant proposals and awarded grants, as well as sources of funds.
- Prioritizes projects to keep multiple projects moving in a timely manner, meets deadlines, and manages supplemental material required for proposals.
- Provides writing support for major donor and individual contribution letters and acknowledgements.
- Prepares and produces final written reports as part of evaluation of final results for grants.
- Oversee the hiring, training, and mentoring of the development team, as well as additional staff, interns or contractors related to special projects.
- Devise and implement special fundraising projects as needed (e.g., capital campaign, programmatic campaigns, etc.)
- Oversee all donor information using our membership database system, provide statistical analysis to board and senior leaders as needed, and support staff responsible for daily system functions and gift processing.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree required; master’s degree preferred in English, Journalism, Art, or related area.
- Five or more years of professional experience with grant writing and management in a nonprofit organization.
- Proven success leading and managing fundraising at the organizational level.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; ability to influence and engage a wide range of donors and build long-term relationships.
- Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and tactical fundraising initiatives.
- Ability to work both independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside the organization.
- High energy and passion for the Museum’s mission.
- Exceptional computer literacy skills and familiarity with development related databases.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- A willingness and ability to work some evenings and weekends is essential.
Salary Description: $85K - $90K Annually
- Security Officer - Part Time
Security Officer - Part Time
Job Type: Part-time
Description
Under general direction of the Manager of Security Services, the Security Officer is responsible for general security for the Museum and its contents. The Security Officer also guards the Museum property against fire, theft, vandalism, and illegal entry. The Officer assists customers and responds to various inquiries and requests. The incumbent also takes on a primary role in the event of a medical emergency.
Requirements
Essential Functions:
- Secures Museum and its assets, collections and general contents
- Prohibits unlawful entry, both during and after standard Museum hours
- Provides general assistance to visitors and customers as needed
- Executes tactical aspects of special event security plans
- Patrol, periodically, exhibits, meeting rooms and immediate parking area
- Control access to parking lots
- Examine doors, windows, and gates to determine that they are secure
- Provide first aid and other assistance to injured staff or visitors, including contacting EMS and preparing incident reports
- Watch for and report irregularities such as fire hazards, leaking water pipes, and security doors left unlocked
- Observe departing personnel to guard against theft of company property
- Sound alarm or call police or fire department by telephone in case of fire or presence of unauthorized persons
- Permit only authorized persons to enter property during off hours
- Accept and record time of any deliveries as is appropriate
- Record data such as property damage, unusual occurrences, accidents or injuries, and completes incident report for use of supervisory staff
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements:
- High School Diploma or GED required
- Previous experience in a security or law enforcement capacity is desired
- Exposure to a similar destination customer service environment
- Experience in a gallery or museum setting is desirable
- First Aid and AED certification is desired
- Physical Factor/Working Conditions
- Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time
- Must be able to lift 25 lbs.
- May require work on nights and weekends and possibly holidays
Salary Description: $15 - $17 per hour
- Manager of Individual Engagement
Manager of Individual Engagement
Job Type: Full-time
Description
Position Overview:
The Manager of Individual Engagement at The Wright drives member retention, acquisition, and satisfaction by developing strategies to foster deep, personalized connections with members. This position manages the full member lifecycle—from onboarding to renewal—while analyzing engagement data, enhancing member value, and overseeing daily operations and communications. In addition, this position strengthens nonprofit revenue by developing strategies to attract, retain, and steward individual donors. This position reports to the Vice President of Development. This position may supervise staff and interns.
Key Responsibilities:
- Retention & Recruitment: Develop and execute strategies to increase the membership base and increase retention rates.
- Individual Engagement: Create personalized, high-touch experiences for members and individual donors, ensuring consistent, positive interactions across all channels.
- Onboarding & Support: Guide new members through onboarding, serving as a primary point of contact to ensure they utilize member benefits.
- Data Analysis, Reporting & CRM Management: Monitor membership workflows, analyze member and individual donor engagement data, and track metrics to identify opportunities for improvement. Maintaining donor databases, tracking portfolio activity, and using data to inform engagement strategies.
- Strategy Development: Align membership and individual donor initiatives with organizational goals and develop strategies for member and individual donor cultivation and satisfaction.
- Technology Utilization: Manage and maintain member and donor records within CRM systems.
- Donor Cultivation & Strategy: Developing and executing strategies for annual and mid-level giving, including identifying new prospects and nurturing existing relationships.
- Donor Communications: Managing stewardship efforts, including donor newsletters, personalized communication, and fundraising appeals.
- Relationship Management: Directly interacting with donors, conducting meetings, and ensuring high-quality donor experiences.
- Collaboration: Working with internal divisions and departments, and program teams to align donor engagement with organizational goals.
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred
- 3+ years of development, fundraising, membership and donor relations.
- Progressive project management responsibilities and experience overseeing complex, deadline-driven fundraising events.
- Track record of success in building relationships leading to membership or individual donations to meet organizational goals.
- Impeccable writing and speaking skills with the ability to communicate persuasively to senior executives and external groups.
- Experience creating original presentations for targeted audiences.
Salary Description: $65K - $75k Annually
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Wright is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Questions? Get in touch!