Curatorial Assistant

Position Title: Curatorial Assistant

Department: Exhibitions and Programs

Reports To: Director of Curatorial Affairs

Position Classification: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt (Hourly), Benefits-Eligible

Work Location: Onsite at the Queens Museum (Corona, Queens). Hybrid - 3 days onsite required

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (10:00 AM - 6:00 PM); evenings and weekends as needed

Salary Band: E4 - Assistant

Salary Range: $22.05 per hour - $24.61 per hour ($43,000.00 - $48,000.00 Annually)

Management Classification: Non-Supervisory

About the Queens Museum

The Queens Museum is dedicated to presenting the highest quality visual arts and educational programming for people in the New York metropolitan area, and particularly for the residents of Queens, a uniquely diverse, ethnic, cultural, and international community.

The Museum fulfills its mission by designing and providing art exhibitions, public programs, and educational experiences that promote the appreciation and enjoyment of art, support the creative efforts of artists, and enhance the quality of life through interpreting, collecting, and exhibiting art, architecture, and design.

Position Overview

The Curatorial Assistant is a key part of the Exhibitions and Programs Team and is responsible for supporting the development and delivery of an integrated program of exhibitions and public programs. Reporting to the Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programs, they are responsible for a variety of curatorial and administrative tasks including exhibition research, planning, programs and events; managing contacts and correspondence; assisting with the coordination of catalogs, didactic materials, and exhibition documentation; and writing and editing exhibition-related copy.

Successful candidates will be proactive self-starters and demonstrate enthusiasm for the QM’s mission and program. This position offers significant opportunities for professional development and creative collaboration across the NYC arts and culture sector.

Essential Functions

Works closely to support the Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programs to organize exhibitions

Provides administrative support for the Director of Curatorial Affairs, including scheduling meetings, creating PowerPoint presentations, assisting with travel arrangements, and processing invoices and expense reports

Provides support for the Exhibitions team in the publications process

Support and attend onsite programs, including evenings and weekends as needed

Participates in, and assists with, staff training on exhibitions, as required

Assists with the maintenance of accurate exhibition checklists, image files, lenders, and other exhibition details

Collaborate with programming staff on wall texts and labels

Share departmental administrative tasks with Assistant Curators and support the team as needed

Maintain department calendar of recurring meetings and staff travel

Maintain department’s contacts database

Participate in weekly team and all staff meetings

This list represents the essential functions of the role, this list does not constitute an exhaustive list of job functions

Benefits

This is a full-time benefits-eligible position to participate in the following benefits:

Generous Paid Time Off including Vacation, Sick Leave, and Personal Days

(11) Paid Holidays & (4) Summer Fridays per year

Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits

Retirement Benefits (401K savings plan, Pension plan, and Life Insurance policy)

Employee Assistance Program

Free affiliate admission to most American Museums

Living Land Acknowledgment

The Queens Museum would like to acknowledge the past, present, and future generations of Matinecock, Canarsie, Lekawe (Rockaway), Munsee Lenape, and the interconnected Matouwac communities across the Greater Long Island region, as stewards of the land.

As both a museum of art and a historic site built on unceded Indigenous lands, the Queens Museum is committed to working towards a living land acknowledgment built on listening, collaboration, and action together with Indigenous communities. We recognize the ongoing impacts of the violent colonial displacement of Native people–as well as the displacement of animal relatives and the disruption of natural ecosystems–by the United States.

We invite our communities to join us in taking action now by devoting time to taking care of the land, whether this be cleaning up your local park or donating to an Indigenous-led advocacy group.

Hybrid Work Model

The QM team is currently practicing a hybrid work model, incorporating a blend of onsite and remote working. QM department heads require attendance onsite at the Museum 3 days per week, to participate in in-person meetings and project work.

EEOC Statement

The Queens Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, familial status, marital status, military status, sexual orientation, genetic information, HIV status, arrest record, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, genetic information, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

The highest priority of the Queens Museum is safeguarding the health and safety of its employees and communities. It is therefore the policy of the QM to require employees to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a measure of public safety. As such, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is a condition of employment of the Queens Museum. This job offer is conditional upon proof of COVID-19 vaccination, which is to be submitted to Human Resources prior to the start of work date stated on this letter. Requests for reasonable accommodations for persons who cannot show proof of vaccination because of a disability, pregnancy, religious belief, status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses or for medical, or other covered reasons will be considered in accordance with all applicable laws.

Requirements

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or a related field and/or its work experience equivalent

2+ years experience working in the field of contemporary art

Availability to work evenings and weekends as needed

Excellent research, writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills.

Proficient with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Windows, and Mac environments

Prior experience with a CRM or collections database (preferred)

Competencies

Demonstrates initiative, resourcefulness and a creative approach to problem-solving

Thrives in culturally diverse settings

Displays a high level of support for colleagues, builds professional and respectful relationships with others

Adaptability and flexibility

Ability to work independently and as a team player in a fast-paced environment, handling multiple tasks and adhering to deadlines

Qualifications

Knowledge of international contemporary art and public practice

Accomplished research, writing, and editing skills applied in the field of contemporary art

Proven time management skills with the ability to complete assignments from conception to delivery

Proven ability to collaborate effectively across teams