The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis, Indiana, is seeking American Indian candidates for the position of Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art. Energetic and enthusiastic candidates are being sought to assist in the preparation and presentation of the contemporary exhibitions and programs. The institution is dedicated to inspiring an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of North America. The museum’s 17 year-old facility is a dramatic component of the Indianapolis cultural climate. Located at the gateway to White River State Park, the Eiteljorg is a leader in the midst of a developing district of museums, gardens, a zoo and other cultural attractions in the heart of downtown Indianapolis.

The Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, under the supervision of the Curator of Contemporary art, will assist with research, writing and administrative duties related to contemporary exhibitions and programs. In addition, they will work with the collections data base, coordinate the symposium associated with the Eiteljorg Fellowship for Native American fine art and manage accounting and record and image keeping for the department. The successful candidate for this position must demonstrate experience in administration and exhibitions, database management, and exhibit development. Qualified candidates must have an MA degree in a relevant field, with meticulous administrative skills, writing and editing experience and the ability to work individually and as a team. Strong writing and verbal skills are required. Familiarity with the field of Native American contemporary arts is essential.

The position is open to Native American candidates only.

Send resume with references to:

Personnel Coordinator

The Eiteljorg Museum

500 W. Washington St.

Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Western Folklife Center
Beyond Borderlands Project
Fieldwork Job Description

The Western Folklife Center seeks a Spanish-speaking fieldworker for an NEA funded project focusing on cultural traditions related to Mexican and Mexican-American ranch and vaquero (cowboy and horseman) culture in the U.S. Fieldwork will identify artists and artforms with historic or contemporary connections to this ethnic occupational community. Artforms might include handcrafted horse gear (saddles, bits, spurs, reins, ropes, belts), traditional music and songs (especially corridos), cooking, visual art, poetry, dichos, and other occupational ranch skills and folklife.

Fieldwork will take place in Idaho, Oregon, and Nevada, with guidance from WFC staff and colleagues. Parallel fieldwork is taking place in Sonora and northern Sinaloa. Finding connections between communities in these Mexican states with communities in the western U.S. is of interest though should not be a limiting factor in the scope of work.

The results of fieldwork will benefit future work of the Western Folklife Center and regional colleagues and organizations, including but not limited to:

1) The production of two corrido contests and corrido workshops in Summer 2007 in Idaho and possibly Oregon or Nevada. These events will serve as a mechanism for identifying and honoring local corrido singers and to encourage the writing and performance of corridos. Fieldworker will assist in identifying corrido singers, judges, and corrido teachers appropriate for these contests.

2) The identification of a small group of artists (from Mexico and the western U.S.) to be invited to the 2008 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada, to perform and participate in cross-cultural exchanges (January 26 – February 2, 2008).