In Practice Curatorial Fellow
SculptureCenter seeks a Curatorial Fellow to oversee its upcoming In Practice exhibition. This 6-month position (August 1, 2020 – January 31, 2021*) provides an emerging curator with the opportunity to organize an open call exhibition in collaboration with SculptureCenter staff and to gain broader hands-on experience working in a non-profit contemporary art institution.
The Curatorial Fellow will manage SculptureCenter’s annual In Practice open call and proposal review, and ultimately curate and project manage the next In Practice exhibition (scheduled to open in January 2021). The Curatorial Fellow will work closely with SculptureCenter’s Director of Exhibitions and Programs, as well as curatorial staff on all aspects of the proposal and the exhibition management.
The Curatorial Fellow will receive a stipend of $10,000 which will be paid in six monthly installments. This position is classified as an independent contractor. The Scope of Work includes, but is not limited to, the following:
In Practice:
- Project manage and execute a multi-step open call review process in collaboration with SculptureCenter’s curatorial staff
- Conduct studio visits with approximately thirty artist finalists
- Develop an exhibition proposal for review and approval by SculptureCenter’s curatorial staff
- Project manage all aspects of exhibition production, including but not limited to communication with artists; coordination of new production, shipping/transport, and installation needs; oversight of installation; management of catalog production; management of exhibition budget; timely completion of administrative duties (all in coordination with Director of Exhibitions and Programs)
- Produce press texts, didactic texts, and a gallery guide
- Produce a catalog text for publication
- Coordinate with all necessary SculptureCenter staff (e.g. Communications, Development, Visitor Services) to ensure exhibition presentation standards are met
- Conduct this iteration of SculptureCenter’s signature open call program in a spirit consistent with the organization’s mission generally and the program’s goals specifically
- For more information on In Practice, visit this page.
Qualifications
- BA required; MA preferred (art history, studio art, curatorial studies, or related field)
- A minimum of 3 years of curatorial experience in the field of contemporary art, with evidence of some independently authored exhibitions, programs, publications, or other related initiatives
- Familiarity with general exhibition-making procedures and shipping, installation, and art handling protocols
- Strong project management skills; ability to meet strict deadlines
- Demonstrated ability to work directly with artists to commission new work
- Ability to work independently and with strong instincts for when to seek support or guidance from SculptureCenter staff
- Ability to work collaboratively with SculptureCenter staff across departments
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite
- Applicants must live in New York City, be legally authorized to work in the United States, and be available for periodic in-person/on-site meetings
How to Apply
Please email a cover letter, resume, and two contemporary art/culture related writing samples (academic work, exhibition texts, published texts/reviews, excerpted thesis chapters, etc., preferably under 2,500 words, are all acceptable) to: inpractice@sculpture-center.org with the subject line “In Practice Curatorial Fellow.” No phone calls, please.
Applications must be received by 11:59pm EST on July 5, 2020.
SculptureCenter is committed to a culturally diverse organization and is an equal opportunity employer. SculptureCenter does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sex, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, or military status.
*The current Fellowship period and In Practice exhibition schedule are subject to change due to COVID-19 related regulations from federal, state, and local officials. If the schedule must change for the safety of the Fellow, SculptureCenter staff, artists, and/or visitors, SculptureCenter will do our best to adjust the opportunity to reflect the fullest possible experience given the circumstances.
