Literary Curator, Wittliff Collections - Job Opportunity at Texas State University

San Marcos, USA
Full-time
Senior
Posted: February 1, 2025
On-site
USD 80,000 - 98,000 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive health insurance with 100% employee premium coverage
Competitive paid time off including vacation, sick leave and holidays
Wellness program with extensive resources
Retirement benefits including TRS pension and employer contributions
Educational support and professional development programs
Family-friendly policies and resources

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic acquisition and preservation of literary archives for the Southwestern Writers Collection
Curate major exhibitions across 12,000 square feet of gallery space
Serve as series editor for Literary book series with TAMU Press
Develop and maintain relationships with significant writers and literary community stakeholders
Execute public engagement programs and academic collaborations
Manage digitization initiatives and collection accessibility projects
Provide expert consultation and reference services to researchers

Requirements

Education

Master's degree in a relevant field

Required Skills

Knowledge of historical and contemporary Southwestern and Texas literature Strong writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills Public speaking ability Exhibition curation experience Software/computing skills including Adobe Photoshop Literary archive management expertise Publishing experience
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Cultural institutions are increasingly focusing on digital preservation and accessibility, requiring curators to bridge traditional and digital archival practices Growing emphasis on interactive and immersive exhibition experiences to engage modern audiences Rising importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration between literary archives and academic institutions Increased focus on representing diverse voices and perspectives in literary collections

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range is competitive for academic curator positions in the region, aligning with similar roles at major research institutions. The total compensation package, including benefits, positions this role in the upper quartile for academic cultural heritage positions.

Role Significance

Likely leads a small team of 2-4 direct reports with matrix management of project teams
Senior professional role with significant institutional influence and external visibility

Key Projects

Major exhibition development and curation Literary archive acquisition and preservation initiatives Public programming and academic integration projects Digital transformation and accessibility programs

Success Factors

Deep understanding of Texas and Southwestern literary landscape Strong relationship building capabilities with writers and literary community Expertise in both traditional archival practices and digital preservation Ability to balance academic rigor with public engagement Strategic vision for collection development and programming

Market Demand

Moderate to high demand, with specialized positions in literary curation becoming increasingly important as institutions focus on preserving and digitizing cultural heritage materials

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Literary expertise specific to Texas and Southwest regions Archive management and preservation techniques Exhibition curation and design Relationship building and donor relations Digital preservation and access strategies

Beneficial Skills

Grant writing and fund development Educational program development Digital content management Marketing and public relations Academic research methodologies

Unique Aspects

Rare combination of curatorial, editorial, and public programming responsibilities
Direct involvement with major literary figures and estates
Significant influence on preserving regional literary heritage
Balance of academic and public-facing responsibilities

Career Growth

3-5 years in role typically required before advancement to senior leadership positions

Potential Next Roles

Director of Special Collections Head of Research Libraries Cultural Heritage Program Director Museum Director

Company Overview

Texas State University

Texas State University is a major public research institution with a strong commitment to cultural heritage preservation

The Wittliff Collections represents a nationally significant archive and research center
Primary cultural heritage institution for Texas and Southwestern literary preservation
Academic environment with emphasis on research excellence and public engagement
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