Curatorial Assistant, Drawing and Prints

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for a Curatorial Assistant who will support the curatorial team in the Department of Drawings and Prints in all areas of their responsibilities, including research for exhibitions and publications, and administrative tasks related to acquisitions, exhibitions, collections records, bibliographic and biographical files, loans, and general curatorial inquiries.

Ideal candidates will hold a minimum of a master’s degree in art history. An academic and/or curatorial interest in early- to mid-20th-century American modernism, including Black artistic practices and their transatlantic, socially engaged, and works-on-paper dimensions, is a plus, as it will support the development of an upcoming monographic exhibition centered on process and material experimentation; the position also requires the flexibility to shift across periods, geographies, and subjects as future projects demand.

The salary for this position is $71,979 per annum.

• Assists senior curators with all aspects of research, planning, organization, and realization of upcoming exhibitions and gallery rotations.
• Writes, edits, and assists in the production of Museum publications and exhibition-related materials, including wall texts and extended object labels.
• Researches and catalogs the Museum collection and archives as they relate to the exhibition project. Answers related inquiries.
• Performs exhibition support functions, including bibliographic and checklist research, loan correspondence, publication research and production, website development, and public program planning.
• Assists in the maintenance of the collection and loans, and expedites arrangements for custodial, registration, conservation, and preparation work as required in the gallery, study and storage areas.
• Functions as a liaison with outside persons and organizations, and with other departments within the Museum.
• May assist in research and preparation for potential acquisitions for the collection, including biographical and bibliographical research, maintaining files, and communicating with dealers, galleries, collectors, and artists, as necessary.
• Keeps informed of current activity in the area of departmental interest through gallery and museum visits, publications, etc. and makes recommendations to senior staff.
• Conducts daily collection gallery inspections and daily inspection of works on view in temporary exhibitions and assists with follow-up arrangements in the event of damage, deterioration, etc.
• Answers inquiries and conducts gallery tours as necessary for visitors, etc.
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Requirements

• Minimum of a master’s degree in art history required.
• Minimum of two years experience in a curatorial department with experience supporting exhibition and exhibition catalog production.
• Academic and/or curatorial interest in modern and contemporary works on paper is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt research and curatorial work across different periods, geographies, and subject areas.
• Proficiency in a second language, in addition to English, is preferred.
• Superior research and writing skills are essential.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail and working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and other standard office procedures and skills. Familiarity with The Museum System (TMS) is helpful.

Application Instructions