Job Listing: Curator of African American History and Special Projects (Fredericksburg Area Museum)

FAM Job Opening

Curator of African American History and Special Projects
Reports to: Director of Programs and Interpretation
Location: Fredericksburg Area Museum, Fredericksburg, VA

Background
In response to a landmark 2017 initiative by the City of Fredericksburg and the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, the Fredericksburg Area Museum (FAM) has emerged as a key leader in amplifying African American history in the city and region. Building on the City’s decision to remove the slave auction block from public view and reframe its historical narrative, FAM seeks a dynamic and community-centered Curator of African American History and Special Projects to advance this work.

This position leads the interpretive, programmatic, and community outreach initiatives tied to African American history across the city and within the museum. The Curator will serve as a thought leader and advocate for inclusive storytelling, and will design public programs, digital content, and exhibitions that foster reflection, dialogue, and connection. The Curator will work collaboratively with city officials, cultural organizations, educators, and community members to ensure that Black histories are not only preserved, but actively shared and celebrated through programming, exhibits, and civic engagement.

Primary Responsibilities

Interpretation & Exhibitions

• Implement and adapt a city-wide interpretive plan focused on African American history in Fredericksburg and Planning District 16.
• Center storytelling practices that are inclusive, place-based, and deeply rooted in lived experience and oral history traditions.
• Collaborate with exhibit designers, educators, and artists to bring multidisciplinary and multimedia interpretation to life.

Community Engagement & Programming

• Establish and lead community advisory groups composed of intergenerational stakeholders from Fredericksburg’s Black communities.
• Design and produce public programs that connect African American history with contemporary civic and cultural life—including lectures, festivals, walking tours, artist talks, and intergenerational storytelling events.
• Work closely with the museum’s full programming team to ensure all public programming reflects FAM’s goals of inclusion, education, and public trust.
• Actively build relationships with local schools, community organizations, faith institutions, and cultural partners to co-create accessible and responsive programming.
• Ensure that programming supports the museum’s broader goals around inclusion, education, and public trust.

Special Projects & Strategic Leadership

• Oversee signature initiatives such as the reinterpretation of Fredericksburg’s Auction Block, “Living Legacies” and other long-term projects that center African American heritage.
• Act as project manager for interdisciplinary initiatives, coordinating work across departments, community committees, and government entities.
• Develop, track, and manage budgets, timelines, and evaluation tools for interpretive and programmatic projects.
• Contribute to grants and funding proposals as a content expert and collaborator.

Institutional & Professional Contribution

• Contribute to a positive organizational culture rooted in mutual respect, equity, and collaboration.
• Provide guidance to museum staff and interns on African American history-related content, interpretation, and sensitivity.
• Represent FAM in professional and public settings as an advocate for inclusive historical practice and museum-community partnerships.
• Maintain familiarity with current trends in public history, museum education, and African American studies.

Qualifications

Required

• Advanced degree (MA preferred) in public history, African American studies, museum studies, cultural heritage, or a related field—or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of 3–5 years of curatorial, interpretive, or community-centered public history work with demonstrable impact.
• Deep knowledge of African American history and culture, especially in Virginia or the Mid-Atlantic region.
• Experience developing interpretive content across multiple platforms—physical exhibits, digital media, public programming, and publications.
• Demonstrated success working with diverse communities, and a commitment to community-driven and collaborative approaches to history.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including experience managing budgets and cross-departmental teams.
• Excellent writing, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience leading public engagement initiatives in a museum, cultural institution, or nonprofit setting.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate group dialogue and community meetings.
• Familiarity with museum collection management systems and exhibition design software (e.g., PastPerfect, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Experience working with K–12 or adult educational programming, particularly for historically underrepresented audiences.

Benefits

Salary: $62,000-$74,000/ Year

Other: Competitive healthcare package, deferred compensation retirement package with up to a 3% match, vacation and personal days in addition to holidays.

To Apply

Send Resume/CV and cover letter to Clarissa Sanders: csanders@famva.org. Please no phone calls. Position is open until filled.

Additional Notes

This is a highly visible and impactful role at the Fredericksburg Area Museum. The successful candidate will be energized by the opportunity to shape a more equitable public history landscape and committed to grounding historical interpretation in authentic community voices.

FAM is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from candidates of historically underrepresented backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those with disabilities.