Assistant Curator

Assistant Curator, Architecture and Design Collections

As a member of the Collections Team, the Assistant Curator of Architecture and Design Collections will be responsible for carrying out research; and developing, interpreting, and managing an active collecting program in this area. In liaison with appropriate MIT faculty and staff as well as scholars and specialists, develop exhibitions; develop and contribute to educational and public programs; and provide public service by responding to inquiries about areas of expertise within the history of architecture and design.

In 2020, the MIT Museum entered a period of significant transition as it began dual relocation endeavors to a new museum building (opening 2022) and a new collections processing and storage facility (off campus, opening 2023). During this 3-year period, a major focus of the Assistant Curator’s efforts will be on a wide range of Architecture and Design Collections.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Research: Research subject areas of exhibitions and publications, contribute text to exhibitions and catalogues, and write scholarly articles in subjects related to the collection.
• Collection development and management: Assist in the management of the Architecture and Design Collections and the acquisition (and deaccessioning) of artifacts. Prepare inventories of new acquisitions, catalogue and contribute essential metadata to collection databases, and research and write collection finding aids and other documentation. Develop and oversee appropriate conservation and preservation strategies for the collection, and work collaboratively with the Registrar and/or Collections Manager in the preparation of collection loans.
• Imaging and Digital Assets Initiatives:  Contribute to the conceptualization and implementation of a new collections online portal which has been developed in tandem with the preparation for future facilities move. Manage digital imaging initiatives in collaboration with the Digital Archivist, and develop strategies for acquisition and access of the collections’ “born digital” assets.
• Move preparation: Work with the Registrar, Collections Manager, and other staff in the assessment, reorganization, and move of collections during the transition to the new Kendall facility. This work will range from inventory and database records maintenance to physical reorganization of collections.
• Exhibition Development: Responsible for assisting the Curator in the curation of exhibitions and as part of an exhibition team. Plan and develop exhibition concepts; research and write exhibition text; identify, locate and prepare artifacts for display; collaborate with the Registrar, Collections Manager and Exhibitions Team members to oversee the installation of exhibitions and artifact displays. Assist in the preparation of material to support fundraising and publicity efforts in connection with exhibitions and related programs.
• Educational and Public Programs: Assist with the organization and presentation of educational programs for MIT and area college students and faculty; work collaboratively with the Engagement Team to present museum tours, gallery talks, symposia and other special events; and work creatively with the MIT community to provide access to collections, information and support for MIT’s research, teaching and public engagement endeavors. Supervise interns and other academic fellows engaged with work in the collections.
• Public services: Respond to reference requests from museum staff, the MIT community, researchers, media, and the general public, and to email, telephone calls and in-person inquiries. Schedule appointments and assist with collections consultation.
• Other: Participate in regular team meetings and contribute to general assignments and projects, meetings of the Collections Committee, and mandatory specialized trainings (e.g.: hazardous materials); and provide support for any collections-related emergency. Occasional evening and weekend hours required for public programs or other events.

Supervision Received: Report to the Curator of Architecture and Design.
Supervision Exercised: Assist in supervising temporary project staff, interns and volunteers.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in the history of architecture or art, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Must have knowledge of American architecture.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in curatorial and collections work.  Must demonstrate knowledge of interpreting, developing and managing museum collections.
• Deep familiarity and practical experience with collections database and management systems.  (The museum uses the MimsyXG system.)
• Experience identifying and developing conservation and preservation treatments for the varied collections artifacts in architecture and design collections.
• Experience handling, packing, and moving collections.
• Knowledge of developing and maintaining museum exhibitions and exhibition-related programs.
• Excellent writing abilities as demonstrated by a record of exhibitions, publications, and conference presentations as well as other forms of public engagement such as websites, blogs, and other social media work.
• Excellent communications skills as the job requires frequent contact with museum staff, MIT faculty, staff, alumni and students as well as prominent international scholars and the general public.  Be able to make frequent public presentations (both planned and unplanned) and represent the museum (and MIT).
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, the ability to develop effective work processes and to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal skills. A positive and collegial work ethic, and the ability to work collaboratively within the Collections/Curatorial teams and museum staff as a whole, and with faculty, students and the academic community.
• Ability to lift at least 35 lbs., reaching bending, stooping.
• Ability to stand and work on one’s feet up to six hours per day.
• Ability to travel to various sites on campus and the off-site collections facility; transport artifacts; and meet with potential donors to inspect artifacts.
• Knowledge of American architecture and design, preferred
• Experience using digital imaging technology such as digital medium format and DSLR cameras and software such as Photoshop and Lightroom, preferred.