TAMit!

Position Title: Curator of Collections

FLSA Classification: Full-Time; Exempt

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum Department of Museum Services

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has an opening for a full-time, exempt Curator of Collections in our Museum Services department. 

Starting at $50,000.00; Salary commensurate with experience and education

Company Overview: Located in the heart of downtown Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum documents and interprets the history of country music—a musical genre and culture central to the identity of the city, the state, and the nation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the museum proudly combines subject expertise, ambitious research, and preservation of an unparalleled collection with expressions of creativity in music, art, and history. The museum collects artifacts that illustrate the evolving history and traditions of country music while providing diverse learning opportunities. The core exhibit follows the story of country music from its folk beginnings through its emergence as a commercial art form. Rotating exhibits examine a broad range of topics, from country classics to ultra-contemporary and emerging artists in American Currents. The museum owns Hatch Show Print, a letterpress print shop opened in 1879, and it operates Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis Presley and many others recorded.

What We Offer for Full-Time Staff: 

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance Options

• Competitive Pay

• Paid Vacation and Sick Days

• Paid Holidays (13) and Floating Holidays (2)

• 401(K) with Up to 3% Employer Match

• Employee Assistance Program (Free Counseling and Legal Services)

• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness  

• FREE 24/7 Downtown Parking and Transit Benefits

• Continuing Professional Offerings

• Complimentary Museum Admission (For Yourself, Family, and Friends)

• Reciprocal Partnerships with Local Venues (The Nashville Zoo, Dollywood Theme & Water Parks, National Museum of African American Music, tours at The Opry and The Ryman Auditorium, and more) 

• Up to 25% Discount in Retail Stores and Onsite Restaurant Venues

• Opportunities to Attend Exhibit Openings, Concerts and Special Events

• Employee Engagement Activities and Opportunities

• FSA and Dependent Care Options 

• Dog Friendly Work Environment

• Volunteering and Community Engagement Opportunities

Department Overview: The Museum Services Department is responsible for the museum’s collections, exhibitions, editorial content, and public programs. 

Position Overview: Reporting to the Curatorial Director, the Curator of Collections performs a wide range of advanced curatorial duties, requiring demonstrated knowledge and understanding of museum and collection best practices, combined with expert knowledge of country music history, traditions, musical styles, and respect for the genre. The position is responsible for helping build, document, preserve, interpret, and exhibit the museum’s extensive collection of objects and a wide variety of other materials.

Specific Duties Include: 

• Demonstrate and develop knowledge and understanding of museum and collection best practices.

• Demonstrate and develop wide-ranging knowledge of country music history, artists, traditions, and musical styles.

• Demonstrate critical thinking skills at a high level.

• Demonstrate and develop broad knowledge of the museum’s extensive collection of objects, including stage clothing, musical instruments, and a wide variety of media (print materials, photographs, video/film, audio).

• Cultivate relationships with donors and lenders of objects and other materials.

• Build the museum’s collection through strategic acquisition of objects and other materials.

• Demonstrate and develop knowledge of ethical and legal standards for acquisition.

• Collaborate with Museum Services staff (writers/editors, curators, registrars, archivists, exhibit managers) and Creative staff (graphic designers) to develop informative, engaging, attractive, and historically accurate exhibitions and related projects, including exhibit catalogs, web site content, and public programs.

• Collaborate with writers/editors and curators to propose subjects and content for future exhibitions.

• Conduct scholarly research to document and interpret objects and other materials in the collection.

• Select and interpret objects and other content for presentation in exhibitions and related projects.

• Write informative, accurate, and concise exhibit copy—including biographical panels and artifact descriptions—conforming to the museum’s established style and exacting standards.

• Assist as needed with all stages of exhibitions production.

• Assist with public programs, educational, marketing, and public-relations efforts related to collections and exhibitions, including public speaking.

• Demonstrate and develop knowledge of the museum’s electronic database and cataloging software.

• Travel to meet with donors and lenders, inspect potential donations and loans, and pickup or return artifacts.

Minimum Requirements:

• Previous experience as a museum curator or comparable position. 

• Extensive knowledge of country music history and respect for the genre.

• Ability to conduct scholarly research to interpret objects and other materials in the museum’s collection.

• Ability to write accurate and concise copy for exhibitions and related projects.

• Donor cultivation and relationship-building skills and experience. 

• Ability to meet scheduling deadlines for exhibitions and other projects.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

• College degree in History, Public History, Museum Studies, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in History, Public History, Museum Studies, or related field.

• Extensive knowledge of country music history and artists.

• Experience with Past Perfect or other museum collections and cataloging software.

Key Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities): 


• Strong interpersonal skills 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to meet deadlines with limited supervision

• Ability to work on multiple projects concurrently

• Skill at selecting and interpreting artifacts and a wide variety of other materials, including stage wear, musical instruments, print materials, and audio/visual assets for exhibitions and related projects.

• Understanding of professional museum standards for proper handling of archival materials 

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Past Perfect collections software

• Desire to expand professional expertise

• Respect for country music as an art form

• Applicant should be detail oriented

Note to Applicants:

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is an equal opportunity employer. We respect the varied attributes, characteristics, and perspectives that make each person unique. The museum promotes an environment of respect, communication, and understanding, while actively providing opportunities for all employees of all backgrounds the skills, experience, and information necessary to succeed. The museum does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, political affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information or characteristics, age, membership in an employee organization, military or veteran status, or other non-merit factor. The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. 

We are a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer that welcomes all qualified candidates to apply for open positions. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its staff and visitors. All offers of employment are subject to and contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and employment verification, including federally mandated E-verify processes, as required for position.  

Due to the high volume of applications received for this position, hiring managers will only contact candidates they are interested in scheduling for an interview. Please refrain from calling to inquire about the status of your application. 

Please upload a resume and cover letter when applying for the position.

Applications are only accepted online on our career page: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/careers