Curatorial Assistant in Contemporary Art
Working Title Curatorial Assistant in Contemporary Art
About the University of Georgia
The University of Georgia (UGA), a land-grant and sea-grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities is the state’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA was founded in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly as the first state-chartered University in the country. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 39,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 9,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 17 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires technical knowledge in the field acquired through an apprenticeship, a 2-year degree, or professional certificate. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.
Preferred Qualifications
M.A. or equivalent in art history, museum studies or a related field; 2+ years of museum or gallery experience, with collections-related experience preferred.
Position Summary
The Curatorial Assistant will support the museum’s ambitious exhibitions program and growing commitment to the fields of contemporary art and photography. Reporting directly to the Curator of American Art, s/he will assist with a range of curatorial projects and tasks, including exhibition research, planning, and programs; assisting with catalogues, didactic materials, and other documentation; managing correspondence; and coordinating acquisitions and gifts. The Curatorial Assistant may also have the opportunity to generate original programs and exhibitions. The position expects the ability to be present in the office. It is a one-year position with the possibility of renewal.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies
– Strong attention to detail and high level of accuracy;
– Excellent writing, research, communication, clerical, and organizational skills;
– Strong oral communication skills and confidence in public speaking;
– Interpersonal and teamwork skills to successfully work with diverse groups in an academic environment;
– Skilled in establishing priorities, coordinating multiple projects simultaneously, and meeting deadlines;
– Computer skills including MS Office and Adobe, and experience with museum databases;
– Interest or expertise in 20th- and 21st-century art, particularly global contemporary art and the history of photography.
Duties/Responsibilities
Exhibition Production:
o Assists in the planning, administration, and installation of exhibitions (correspondence, loan forms and lender information, checklists).
o Coordinates traveling exhibitions, in consultation with the Registrars and Deputy Director.
o Works with Curator of Education in the planning and coordination of public programs related to exhibitions, as requested, and assisting with logistical needs for speaker visits, including arranging honoraria, travel, and any event-related details.
o Assists with books (obtaining images, permissions, and copyright clearance to maintain accurate credit lines), brochures, and grant applications, interacting with the Director of Communications, Curator of Education, and Director of Development.
Duties/Responsibilities
Research and Interpretation:
o Researches artists, works, and cultural issues for exhibitions and publications.
o Helps create, coordinate, and edit didactic labels, brochures, and promotional copy, such as wall text, labels, and newsletter and website content, in coordination with the Director of Communications.
Assists with the continued reinstallation of the permanent collection galleries, coordinating information among various departments.
Acts as liaison with internal and external contacts, including trustees, donors, committee members, external colleagues, and artists
Physical Demands
Work in a typical office environment, which will include mobility in the museum and occasionally lifting boxes and other items weighing approximately 20-30 pounds each.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Resume/CV
Cover Letter