Exhibition & Content Curator

Maine Historical Society

Job Opening

Exhibition & Content Curator

Maine Historical Society (MHS) seeks an imaginative full-time Exhibition & Content Curator to develop exhibits and interpretive content to help in-person and digital audiences explore what makes Maine “Maine.” MHS exhibits use history to provide information, context, and perspective on topics that matter to people today. They draw on and highlight MHS’s exceptional collections, staff knowledge and expertise, content from our 300+ Maine Memory Network partners, and an expansive network of community advisers and collaborators. MHS exhibitions and content illustrate the profound ways history shapes Maine and its special sense of place.

The Curator will be forward-looking, committed to engaging audiences, a gifted and creative storyteller, and a collaborative colleague who is eager to contribute to the development of our innovative organization and its mission to preserve and share Maine’s story.

Based in Portland, Maine, MHS serves global audiences on our campus and through our nationally recognized digital programs, most notably Maine Memory Network. Founded in 1822 and guided by our 2022-2027 Business Plan, MHS is in a period of strategic growth focused on expanding our audience and building institutional capacity. This work is guided by our Audience Engagement Plan which outlines MHS’s audience development strategy, value proposition, and plans for expanding MHS’s audience to everyone who cares about Maine.

Position Description

The MHS Exhibition & Content Curator is responsible for and participates in all phases of exhibition development—from selection of strategic topics to research, design, planning, installation, promotion, and related programming. This includes MHS’s annual signature exhibition in the main gallery, three to four smaller-scale shows, and enhanced interpretation of the Wadsworth-Longfellow House. This content serves all MHS’s audiences through physical and online exhibitions, public and educational programs and resources, extensive digital content, and printed distribution outlets. The Curator will build accessible narratives, develop interpretive materials, create compelling visitor experiences, foster community-driven storytelling, and ensure that content resonates with general and target audiences.

MHS exhibitions are a cornerstone for organizational initiatives, connect history to the present, spark conversation, and engage varied and diverse audiences. Through interpretive writing, multimedia components, promotional content, and program integration, the Exhibition & Content Curator ensures that each exhibit extends its reach well beyond the gallery walls. The position also contributes to collection development and care, institutional planning, adherence to industry best-practices, and interpretation across the organization.

This is an especially exciting time to join MHS in this role, as the organization takes the next steps in designing a new museum experience, a transformative part of MHS’s strategic vision. The Curator will have an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on how Maine history is shared, experienced, and understood for generations to come.

POSITION TITLE: Exhibition & Content Curator

SALARY: $58,000 - $63,000

STATUS: Exempt, salaried

SCHEDULE: Full time, 35 hours per week

REPORTS TO: MHS Deputy Director

POSTING DATE: September 17, 2025

APPLICATION CLOSE: October 31, 2025

Essential Responsibilities

Exhibit Curation (65%)

• Develops engaging, responsive content for annual and rotating MHS gallery exhibitions.
• Project-manages exhibition planning and installation; supports guest curators.
• Coordinates with exhibit designers and installers.
• Coordinates with the Audience Engagement team about related marketing, programs, and experience.
• In collaboration with MHS Digital Projects team, creates companion digital exhibition assets for Maine Memory Network and Maine Connection.
• Works with the Deputy Director to manage budgets, calendars, exhibit subjects, and long-range exhibition planning.
• Ensures adherence to museum policies and procedures, partners with the Collections Manager & Registrar on object handling and installation best practices.
• Prepares Visitor Services training guides, including exhibition logistics and collection care guidelines.
  
  

Collections & Departmental Duties (20%)

• Supports the Digital Projects team and Maine Memory Network with born-digital exhibitions, My Maine Stories, content creation, training, and legacy projects.
• Collaborates with the Collections Team on acquisitions, deaccessions, and outgoing/ incoming loan requests.
• Contributes to institutional planning; supports and adheres to the MHS Collection Policy, Emergency Response Plan, NAGPRA regulations, and related policies.
• Assists with collection development, interpretation, public engagement, and space planning initiatives.
• Participate in Board of Trustee committees, including Collections & Research and Audience Engagement Committees.
  
  

Outreach 15%

• Supports MHS Business Plan and Audience Engagement goals through outreach, partnerships, and donor communications.
• Advances growth and visibility of the MHS permanent collection.
• Leads exhibition tours for donors, members, and private groups; assists with donor cultivation and stewardship through events and meetings.
• Collaborates with the Curator of Education & Public Programming on related programs, gallery tours, and curriculum support.
• Provides exhibition promotional materials for the MHS marketing team.
• Handles exhibition-related media inquiries and serves as a public/media contact for exhibition and MMN content.
• Maintains a visible community role by fostering relationships with museums, partners, donors, and the public.
  
  

DIRECT REPORTS

This position does not directly supervise staff but does serve as project manager for related tasks, including exhibit installation. The position occasionally supervises interns and volunteers.

Required Qualifications

• An advanced degree in Museum Studies or related humanities field.
• Minimum of three (3) year’s experience curating and installing exhibitions.
• Demonstrated experience with historical research.
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills (written and verbal).
• Demonstrated experience working with community partners or in a collaborative setting; ability to work independently or as part of a group.
• Familiarity with handling museum and/or archival collections, physical and digital.
• Knowledge of museum-related best practices, policy, and ethics.
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to multi-task and facilitate several projects simultaneously.
• Ability to solve problems in a changing environment; possess a high degree of flexibility and adaptability.
• Open to audience interests, needs, and feedback; a positive attitude and enjoy working with the public.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Maine history.
• Experience working with Indigenous communities, specifically Wabanaki Nations.
• Experience with diverse and inclusive storytelling.
• Experience within a history museum setting.
• Familiarity with digital humanities initiatives.
• Familiarity with Past Perfect Museum software, Microsoft and/or Adobe Suite products.
  
  

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Work is performed in office, galleries and warehouse environments using basic office equipment such as a computer, printer, scanner, telephone, and copier, as well as carts, exhibit installation tools, and collection supplies.

Work requires sitting, standing, and the ability to safely move fragile collections with or without assistance. The position occasionally requires driving/travel to and from various MHS facilities and in the community. The position uses varied software packages, such as Microsoft and Adobe products, as well as bespoke and third-party content management systems.

SCHEDULE & LOCATION:

This is a full-time position scheduled at a minimum of 35 hours per week. Working hours are typically Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM, with some flexibility, but a set week-to-week schedule is preferred. On occasion, evening or weekend hours may be necessary to support MHS initiatives, events, exhibition openings, installation, or to meet project deadlines.

This is an in-person position, especially for collections work, exhibition installation, and research. While limited remote work may be possible for tasks not tied to location-specific activities, the position is typically and consistently on-site during MHS business hours.

Salary Range & Benefits

$58,000 - $63,000 per year, depending on experience. The benefits package includes health care and dental options, life insurance, short-term disability, employee contributed retirement options, and generous annual paid time off in the form of vacation (three weeks) and sick (two weeks) as well as designated paid holidays. On-site parking is included.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

MHS promotes a culture of partnership and inclusivity and seeks talented staff from diverse backgrounds. We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

About Maine Historical Society

Maine Historical Society (MHS) is a private 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to preserve and share Maine’s story. Founded in 1822, two years after Maine became a state, MHS is a premier cultural institution committed to promoting research, scholarship, and audience engagement with the history of what it today the state of Maine. Its core program areas include the Wadsworth-Longfellow House (1785-6), MHS Museum & Store, Brown Research Library, P. D. Merrill Collections Center, and nationally recognized digital history platform Maine Memory Network. MHS acknowledges it is located on Wabanaki Homelands within the lands and waters of Ckuwapohnakiyik, a place stewarded by Wabanaki peoples for over 13,000 years. Based in Portland, MHS works in close partnership with communities across the state and beyond. It serves a broad audience that includes Maine residents, visitors, and all who share an interest in Maine’s story.

How To Apply

Applicants, please submit:

• Cover letter
• Resume with contact information
• Name and contact information for two (2) professional references
  
  

Please Email The Application Packet To

Cindy Murphy, MHS Office Manager, [email protected]

Preferred method is email, but if materials are postal mailed, please send to: Maine Historical Society / Attn: Cindy Murphy / 489 Congress Street, Suite 2 / Portland, ME 04101-3498.

No phone calls, please.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Friday October 31, 2025