Museum Search & Reference

05/21/2026

OPEN POSITION: President and CEO, Historic Deerfield, Deerfield, Massachusetts

Historic Deerfield, a nationally recognized, AAM-accredited museum and historic village in Deerfield, Massachusetts, seeks a thoughtful, dynamic, and mission-driven leader to serve as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Stewarding one of the best-preserved villages and rural landscapes in North America, Historic Deerfield offers immersive encounters with the people, places, objects, buildings, and stories that have shaped New England and the United States. The next President and CEO will build on Historic Deerfield’s strong foundation, advancing its mission, expanding its reach, strengthening its national profile, and guiding the organization through its next phase of growth and impact.

Application Deadline: July 15, 2026

Learn more about the role and how to apply online here: https://museum-search.com/all-searches/2026/5/15/historic-deerfield

American Alliance of Museums
New England Museum Association
Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM)
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
American Association for State and Local History

PRESIDENT AND CEO Application Deadline: July 15, 2026

04/20/2026

OPEN POSITION: Executive Director, Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London, Connecticut

The Lyman Allyn Art Museum, an AAM-accredited institution located along the Connecticut coast, seeks an Executive Director to lead the Museum into its next phase of growth and community impact. Founded in 1932, the Museum holds a collection of more than 20,000 objects and is particularly known for its American art, decorative arts, and Louis Comfort Tiffany holdings. With an active exhibition and education program and a twelve-acre campus, the Lyman Allyn is poised at a pivotal moment as it advances a major initiative to transform its grounds into a dynamic art park, while also strengthening financial sustainability, expanding its audience, and elevating its regional and national profile.

Application Deadline: May 22, 2026

Learn more about the role and how to apply online here: https://museum-search.com/all-searches/2026/4/16/lyman-allyn-art-museum

American Alliance of Museums
Association of Art Museum Directors
Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM)
New England Museum Association
AAMC Foundation - Art Curators
AAMG

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Application Deadline: May 22, 2026

04/07/2026

OPEN POSITION: Executive Director, Museum of the Southwest - Midland, Texas

The Museum of the Southwest, an AAM-accredited institution, is seeking a visionary Executive Director to lead its next chapter of growth, engagement, and sustainability. Through its dynamic, multidisciplinary campus, including an art museum, planetarium, historic mansion, and children’s museum, the Museum inspires exploration across art, science, history, and culture.

As the organization celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026, the next Executive Director will both honor its deep community legacy and help shape an ambitious future. In partnership with the Board, this leader will drive strategic planning to deepen donor engagement, expand visibility and visitation, and cultivate meaningful community partnerships that strengthen the Museum’s mission, relevance, and long-term sustainability.

Application Deadline: June 5, 2026

Learn more about the role and how to apply online here: https://museum-search.com/all-searches/2026/4/6/the-museum-of-the-southwest

American Alliance of Museums
Association of Art Museum Directors
Association of Midwest Museums
Western Museums Association
Southeastern Museums Conference-SEMC
American Association for State and Local History
Texas Association of Museums

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Application Deadline: June 5, 2026

04/06/2026

OPEN POSITION: Executive Director, Memphis Museums of Science & History, Memphis, Tennessee

The Memphis Museums of Science & History (MoSH), an AAM-accredited, multi-site institution, is seeking a dynamic Executive Director to lead its five properties: the Pink Palace Museum, Lichterman Nature Center, C**n Creek Science Center, Mallory-Neely House, and Magevney home. Through these sites, MoSH connects people to the region’s cultural history and natural sciences in meaningful and engaging ways. This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and visionary leader to guide a complex organization, championing excellence in exhibitions, collections, education, and public engagement. As the chief executive and public face of MoSH, the Executive Director will drive mission impact, strengthen community partnerships, and advance fundraising through donor cultivation and grants, ensuring long-term sustainability and continued growth.

Application Deadline: May 29, 2026

Learn more about the role and how to apply online here: https://museum-search.com/all-searches/2026/4/6/memphis-museums-of-science-amp-history

American Alliance of Museums
Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM)
Southeastern Museums Conference-SEMC
Association of Midwest Museums
American Association for State and Local History

03/10/2026

OPEN POSITION: The John Alchin and Hal Marryatt Curator of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) seeks a dynamic and creative curator to serve as The John Alchin and Hal Marryatt Curator of Contemporary Art, an endowed position. This curatorial post leads the exhibition, interpretation, cultivation, and strategic growth of the Museum’s contemporary art holdings. The Curator will be an inventive exhibition-maker, collaborative colleague, strong communicator, and effective advocate for artists and ideas. The successful candidate will combine intellectual leadership with diplomatic skill, donor engagement experience, and a commitment to public relevance.

Inquiries and nominations welcome. All applications are confidential.

Learn more about the role and how to apply here: https://museum-search.com/all-searches/2026/3/6/philadelphia-museum-of-art

AAMC Foundation - Art Curators
Curators Committee - CurCom
American Alliance of Museums
Association of Art Museum Directors
Contemporary Art Gallery Association
Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM)
AAMG
IKT International Association of Curators of Contemporary Art
ICI (Independent Curators International)

THE JOHN ALCHIN AND HAL MARRYATT CURATOR OF CONTEMPORARY ART Application Deadline: April 27, 2026

02/13/2026

Application deadline approaching for Chief Curator of Art, National Museum of Wildlife Art!

Please apply by Monday, February 16, 2026.

Mountain-Plains Museums Association
Curators Committee - CurCom
Colorado Wyoming Association of Museums

CHIEF CURATOR OF ART Application Deadline: February 16, 2026

02/12/2026

OPEN POSITION: Curator of American Art, Newfields a Place for Nature & The Arts (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Newfields seeks a dynamic and collaborative Curator of American Art to serve as a vital member of its curatorial team, providing vision, strategic direction, and stewardship for the Museum’s well-respected American Art collection. This position works collaboratively with colleagues across the institution to oversee the interpretation, care, and development of the American collection, and it is an exceptional opportunity to shape the collection during a dynamic period of renewal and institutional growth. This role is strategic and hands-on, requiring a blend of scholarly excellence, collaborative leadership, and a deep passion for making the rich and diverse story of American art accessible and meaningful.

Inquiries and nominations welcome. All applications are confidential.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis.

Learn more about the role and how to apply here: https://museum-search.com/all-searches/2025/6/30/newfields-american-art

American Alliance of Museums
Association of Midwest Museums
Curators Committee - CurCom
Association of Indiana Museums

CURATOR OF AMERICAN ART Application Deadline: Rolling

02/12/2026

OPEN POSITION: Curator of Asian Art, Newfields, A Place for Nature & The Arts (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Newfields seeks a dynamic and collaborative Curator of Asian Art to serve as a vital member of its curatorial team, providing vision, strategic direction, and stewardship of the Museum’s esteemed Asian Art collection, which encompasses significant holdings from East, Southeast, and South Asia. This role presents an exceptional opportunity to shape the interpretation, exhibitions, and acquisitions strategy of a collection of remarkable depth and quality during a dynamic period of renewal and institutional growth at Newfields. This is both a strategic and hands-on role, requiring a blend of scholarly excellence, collaborative leadership, and a deep passion for making the rich and diverse story of Asian art accessible and meaningful.

Inquiries and nominations welcome. All applications are confidential.

Apply without delay as candidates will be considered on a rolling basis.

Learn more about the role and how to apply here: https://museum-search.com/all-searches/2025/7/29/newfields-asian-art

American Alliance of Museums
Association of Midwest Museums
Association of Indiana Museums
Association of Art Museum Directors

CURATOR OF ASIAN ART Application Deadline: Rolling

02/04/2026

Deadline approaching!

Please apply online by Friday, February 6, 2026 for Chief Curator, Colby College Museum of Art.

CHIEF CURATOR Application Deadline: February 6, 2026

01/28/2026

OPEN POSITION: Executive Director, Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia, South Carolina

The Columbia Museum of Art (CMA) seeks an Executive Director to build upon its 75-year legacy. As CMA launches an ambitious Strategic Integration Plan, the next Executive Director will guide a highly respected, AAM-accredited institution into its next chapter—strengthening financial sustainability, expanding audience engagement, and deepening the Museum’s impact as a cultural anchor for Columbia and the region. This role offers the opportunity to lead with vision, build lasting partnerships, and shape the future of one of the Southeast’s most important art museums.

Application Deadline: March 27, 2026

Learn more about the role and how to apply online here: https://museum-search.com/all-searches/2026/1/26/the-columbia-museum-of-art

American Alliance of Museums
Association of Art Museum Directors
Southeastern Museums Conference-SEMC
Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM)
South Carolina Federation of Museums

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Application Deadline: March 27, 2026