To apply, nominate a candidate, or view the full job profile, interested candidates should visit the Isaacson, Miller website using the link here for additional details. Candidates who apply via the Colby website, unless instructed by Colby College or Isaacson, Miller personnel, will not be considered.
Colby College, one of the nation’s premier liberal arts institutions, pairs the enduring strengths of a liberal arts education with an ambitious vision for the future. Known for its academic rigor, student-centered ethos, and culture of innovation, the College offers an environment where faculty, students, and staff collaborate across disciplines to advance knowledge, cultivate creativity, and address complex societal challenges. At the intersection of Colby’s academic mission and public life, the Colby College Museum of Art (the Museum) activates its exceptional collections and acclaimed exhibitions to transform teaching, research, and creative practice. The Museum is a national leader among academic art museums, combining the scholarly rigor of a teaching museum with the ambition, collection, scale, and influence of a major cultural institution.
Significant growth in recent years—including expanded facilities, major acquisitions, and the continued evolution of the Lunder Institute for American Art—has elevated the Museum's profile and broadened its impact. Positioned as both a premier destination for American and contemporary art and a catalyst for interdisciplinary inquiry, the Museum plays a critical role in shaping the intellectual, artistic, and civic life of the College, region, and the field. The Museum seeks a dynamic, collaborative, and engaging leader to serve as the Carolyn Muzzy Director and lead the Museum into its next ambitious chapter.
The Director will be passionate about the role of art in American society. They will be an engaging and visionary leader adept at building relationships with a wide range of constituents, including students, faculty, administration, artists, residents, community members, members of the Colby College Board of Trustees and Museum Board of Governors, collectors, and donors. The Director will continue to build a distinctive national profile for the Museum and expand connections with major art museums around the U.S. and globally, as well as with other academic and peer institutions.
This role is a permanent, full-time position located in Waterville, Maine, with an expected starting base salary in the range of $280,000 to $320,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications for the position.
Skills Required
- Passion for the role of art in American society
- Ability to build relationships with diverse constituents, including students, faculty, administrators, artists, community members, trustees, governors, collectors, and donors
- Engaging and visionary leadership capability
- Ability to build a distinctive national profile for the Museum
- Ability to expand connections with major art museums, academic institutions, and peer organizations in the United States and globally
What We Do
Colby College is a private, selective undergraduate liberal arts college in Maine. Founded in 1813, it provides rigorous academic programs with close interaction between students and faculty. Its community of more than 2,200 students pursues majors, independent and collaborative research, study abroad, internships, and civic engagement, while the College develops innovative academic initiatives and partnerships connecting liberal arts education with the professional world.








