019155 – Exhibits Curator

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About the Opportunity

The North Carolina Arboretum is seeking a creative, collaborative, and organized Exhibits Curator to shape and deliver meaningful, dynamic exhibits across our 434-acre public garden. This includes a rotating indoor exhibit hall and a variety of outdoor and micro-exhibit spaces ripe for artistic and interpretive innovation. The Curator will lead exhibit development, installation, and evaluation-drawing on strong visual storytelling, community engagement, and design sensibility to deliver memorable visitor experiences aligned with our mission. This is a 30-hour-per-week position that offers full benefits, providing a unique blend of work-life balance and professional opportunities. The hiring salary for this 30-hour part-time, fully benefited role is between $33,500 and $38,000.
What We’re Looking For:

We’re looking for someone equally comfortable dreaming big and sweating the details. You bring a strong creative vision, an interest in reimagining traditional exhibit formats, and a desire to bring delight and connection to our guests. Whether curating a bold new art installation or refining the labels on an outdoor sculpture, you’ll be a key voice in how our story is told.

About the Role

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as manager of rotating educational and cultural history exhibits appropriate to the Arboretum’s mission and to participate in the development of original exhibits. The position focuses primarily on curation. Major exhibits related to the Arboretum’s expertise in natural science and cultural history rotate three to four times yearly within the main exhibit hall. This position also focuses on short-term/temporary pop-up exhibitions, the Rocky Cove Railroad signage, and managing The North Carolina Arboretum’s permanent artwork collection.

Exhibit Development & Curation:

• Lead exhibit planning from concept through evaluation, aligning projects with the institution’s mission, audience needs, and aesthetic standards.
• Curate and coordinate a range of exhibitions-locally produced, in-house, traveling, and rotating-with attention to diversity of medium, voice, and subject.
• Ensure exhibit designs reflect and adapt the Arboretum’s visual identity and interpretive tone across multiple formats, including signage, printed materials, interactive displays, and environmental graphics
• Develop exhibit themes and an annual schedule, including negotiating exhibit loans or rentals and coordinating shipping, delivery, and installation logistics.
• Design or oversee the creation of interpretive and interactive elements, including non-digital interactives, story-driven layouts, and visitor engagement touchpoints.
• Write or co-develop interpretive content, wayfinding signage, and volunteer-friendly scripts for guided or self-led experiences.
• Identify opportunities for temporary or micro-exhibits across garden spaces and contribute to the potential development of a future traveling exhibit.
• Serve as liaison to artists, creative collaborators, and content experts to ensure thoughtful, respectful, and productive partnerships.
• Contribute to the design and production of wayfinding and interpretive signage, in collaboration team members, ensuring clarity, brand consistency, and accessibility across the garden.

Collections & Exhibit Management

• Oversee exhibit maintenance and care, including sculpture cleaning, damage assessments, and restoration coordination.
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate labeling and documentation for all work, ensuring consistency, professionalism, and alignment with the Arboretum’s brand identity across signage, printed materials, and environmental graphics.
• Manages exhibit storage areas, tools, and supplies to support safe handling and efficient operations.
• Implement inventory and record-keeping protocols using platforms such as Proficio, and maintain data backups in coordination with department leadership and the ITS department.
• Supervise and mentor volunteers and interns engaged in exhibit development, installation, or interpretation.
• Monitor and manage exhibit-related budgets, including materials, fabrication, and vendor contracts

Operations & Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Coordinate closely with departments such as education, Horticulture, Events, and Guest Services to align exhibit efforts with broader institutional priorities.
• Support signature initiatives like Winter Lights with exhibit enhancements and interpretive integration.
• Maintain vendor relationships and manage contracts for exhibit design, installation, and services.
• Ensure timely planning, purchasing, and documentation to support smooth and on-budget project execution.

Community Engagement & Audience experience

• Develop exhibit content and visuals that are accessible, inclusive, and engaging to a broad range of visitors.
• Conduct research on artists, natural history, and exhibit themes to support storytelling and programmatic relevance.
• Cultivate connections with local artists, universities, and creative communities to support ongoing exhibit innovation.
  Design or co-develop gallery experiences and light programming that encourage membership growth and deeper community ties.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Program to create meaningful roles for volunteers in exhibit support, including gallery hosts, installation assistants, or interpretive guides.

Institutional Leadership & Team Participation

• Serve on internal planning teams (e.g., Mission Orchestration Team) that shape institutional exhibit and program strategy.
• Train and support seasonal staff or temporary workers in exhibit production and presentation tasks.
• Bring curiosity, creativity, and a strong collaborative spirit to cross-departmental initiatives and visitor-facing projects.

Required Competencies

Technical Knowledge

To be successful, this position requires the ability to provide exhibit curation, which entails considerable skill in planning,
directing, and organizing educational, natural science, cultural history, art, or similar exhibits, as well as related activities.
Technical and aesthetic assessments of installations are imperative, as well as considerable knowledge of program areas central to the Arboretum’s expertise, such as landscape architecture, natural science, horticulture, environmental science, or other relevant disciplines. An understanding of visual and experiential design principles is required, along with the ability to translate institutional branding into physical and interpretive formats such as exhibit signage, labels, and interactive displays.

Program Management

Ability to develop, manage, and actively participate in assigned programs from planning to implementation and evaluation. Ability to prepare and track daily, weekly, and annual plans to maintain and develop programmatic and operational goals. Ability to prepare budget/purchase requests within limits set by variable funding as determined by a combination of department allocations, Arboretum Society support, and sponsorships. Ability to maintain production and program schedules. Experience managing the design and production of branded materials, interpretive signage, and other exhibit support assets is preferred.

Information and Records Administration

Ability to develop and maintain systematic collections for public display and maintain scientific documentation. Ability to maintain
current collections inventory and ensure the correct labeling of collections. Ability to submit annual or periodic inventory reports.
Ability to prepare and maintain a permanent record of the history, provenance, status, condition, and location of objects owned by or on loan, including records of provenance, purchase or donation, photographs, evaluation, insurance, condition, and location.
Communication and Judgment

Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential for communicating professionally with staff, volunteers, vendors,
contractors, and visitors, as well as for executing leadership roles in exhibit-related programming and scheduling. Ability to
maintain contact with the public, at various age and interest levels, as well as contact with employees in other areas of the
program, technical experts, and peers from similar organizations. Ability to adapt communication effectively to various levels of
sophistication of the public. Ability to maintain contact with technical peers and experts, involving the exchange of information and technical consultation in the area of assignment. Ability to plan and prepare interpretive programs, presentations, tours, brochures, newsletters, and exhibit labels and signage, ensuring appropriate content and education level. Ability to effectively use computer software, including Windows OS and Microsoft Office (Project, Word, and Excel), Adobe Creative Suite, or comparable products for planning and preparation of these materials. Ability to apply brand standards consistently across formats and media, and to adapt institutional identity in creative ways that support visitor engagement and educational goals. This position must respond to the Supervisor’s priorities and communicate those priorities to contractors, volunteers, temporary employees, or other staff as needed. It must also be responsive to changing priorities created by unexpected events, system failures, and equipment malfunctions.

Physical Requirements:

• Standing and Walking- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, primarily when overseeing installations, conducting tours, or assessing exhibits.
• Lifting and Carrying- Occasionally lift and carry objects, such as exhibit materials, artwork, display cases, or equipment (typically up to 25-50lbs).
• Climbing and Reaching- May require the use of ladders or step stools to adjust displays, lighting, or signage.
• Fine Motor Skills- Handling delicate artifacts, tools, and exhibit components requires good hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
• Visual Acuity- Ability to closely inspect exhibit details, artwork, and small objects.
• Working in Various Conditions- Some tasks may require working in climate-controlled or dimly lit areas, outdoors for specific installations, or in spaces with dust or historical materials.

About the Team
The North Carolina Arboretum is a 434-acre public garden affiliated with the University of North Carolina, featuring indoor and outdoor exhibits, educational activities, and plant-centered research and economic development programs.
The North Carolina Arboretum Society is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation that supports the Arboretum’s mission of cultivating
connections between people and plants through the membership program, individual and corporate giving programs, retail
operations, sponsored research activities and fee-based educational program and exhibits and green events.
The Guest Experiences & Services department of the North Carolina Arboretum oversees exhibits, retail sales, and events
management. The Exhibit Curator falls within this department.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
Graduation form a four-year college or university with a major in a field related to the area of assignment, or a minimum of four years of equivalent professional experience in a related field, plus at least one year of demonstrated experience in a relevant position showing attainment of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Degrees must be from an appropriately accredited institution.

Required Competencies
Technical Knowledge
Program Management
Information and Records Administration
Communication and Judgement

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills
Experience or training in graphic design, particularly related to the preparation of interpretive materials and signage demonstrating the ability to adapt branding and design principles across various exhibit formats. Familiarity with AutoCAD or similar design software is also preferred.

• Classification: Curatorial Specialist
• Position Competency Level: Contributing
• Position Number: UNCSO-A019155
• Employment Type: SHRA
• Appointment Type: Permanent
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Recruitment Salary Range: 33500-38000
• Salary Grade Equivalent:
• Location: 100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 USA
• Posting Open Date: 9/4/2025
• Posting Close Date: 9/22/2025

EEO
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To claim veteran’s preference, all eligible persons must indicate their eligibility as requested on the Application. A DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, may be required later in the selection process.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Human Resources Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: recruiter@northcarolina.edu.

The University of North Carolina System Office (UNC System Office) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran. The UNC System Office is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and seeks priority referrals of protected veterans for our openings.

 

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