Deputy Director and Chief of Curatorial Affairs

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art seeks a visionary, collaborative, and strategically minded leader to serve as its next Deputy Director and Chief of Curatorial Affairs. A cornerstone of Kansas City’s cultural landscape and one of the nation’s premier art museums, the Nelson-Atkins is internationally recognized for its exceptional encyclopedic collection spanning Asian art, photography, European and American paintings, modern sculpture, and Native American, African and Egyptian art. Through free admission, innovative programs, and community-centered engagement, the museum fulfills its mission of making transformative art experiences accessible to all.

Reporting to the Director & Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Director and Chief of Curatorial Affairs will join the museum at a pivotal moment as it prepares for a major renovation and expansion. As a strategic partner to the Director & CEO, this leader will help shape the museum's curatorial direction and guide the planning and reinstallation of its collections throughout the campus.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished curator and people leader who pairs exceptional aesthetic judgment and intellectual curiosity with the ability to translate ambitious ideas into action. They will be a collaborative, team-oriented leader who can mentor staff, cultivate external relationships, and navigate the complexity of large-scale institutional change.

The museum has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this recruitment. All inquiries, nominations, and applications with cover letters should be submitted in confidence to Isaacson, Miller as indicated below. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process.

Sarah James is leading this search with Quizayra Gonzalez and Siobhan Hanley.

Commitment to Inclusion

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment for all. The Museum seeks to build a team that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Museum is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.