Ass. Curator of Modern & Contemporary Art

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17-Sep-2021

Goldsmith Asst. Curator of Mod. & Contemporary Art
Yale Art Gallery – Modern and Contemporary Art

68402BR

University Job TitleCurator 2
Bargaining Unit

None – Not included in the union (Yale Union Group)

Time Type: Full time
Compensation Grade Profile: Curator 2 (23)

Worksite Address: 1111 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT 06510

Position Focus:

The Horace W. Goldsmith Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art will work directly with the head of the department (the Associate Curator) to provide curatorial oversight of the collection of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Yale University Art Gallery, which ranges in date from 1900 to the present. Best known for its holdings in early twentieth-century European and mid-twentieth-century American painting and sculpture, the collection is actively expanding in scope and depth, especially in the field of global contemporary art. In tandem with the Associate Curator, the Assistant Curator will plan exhibitions and publications; participate in academic and public programs; direct conservation projects and gallery installations; initiate research on acquisitions, loans, and on the permanent collection; field public inquiries; and assume stewardship and donor-cultivation responsibilities. This position reports to the head of the department and requires proactive collaboration with other museum departments and professional colleagues at the University. The Department of Modern and Contemporary Art aims to be fully integrated with the teaching mission of the Gallery and the University as well as dedicated to serving the wider community of New Haven.

Essential Duties of Position

Present and provide access to the permanent collection of modern and contemporary art through exhibitions, installations, and publications; develop and implement public programs and interpretive projects in collaboration with the Gallery’s Education Department and Publications and Editorial Services Department, as well as other appropriate departments.
Execute proposals for acquisitions through gift and purchase; assemble research and documentation for provenance records on acquisitions and loans.
Manage the organization of collection storage, departmental research archives, and collection database, including its accessibility through the Gallery’s website; facilitate access to works of art and collection storage for faculty, students, and visiting scholars.
Contribute to the supervision of a departmental assistant, graduate interns, and bursary students working in the department.
Represent the curatorial department on Gallery committees and represent the Gallery and University to local, national, and international communities.
Assist with fundraising for exhibitions, acquisitions, and departmental initiatives through grant writing and coordinating donor-focused programs with the Gallery’s Advancement Department.
Participate in stewardship of Governing Board members, donors, and collectors.
In collaboration with Conservation, evaluate the suitability of loan requests and perform courier duties as necessary.
Support the Gallery’s mission of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in all duties and responsibilities related to the position.
Other projects and travel as necessary; additional teaching, publishing, and lecturing in the curator’s area of expertise are strongly encouraged.

Essential Duties

1. Cares for, coordinates and accesses collection. 2. Discusses the condition and breadth of the collection with other Curators. 3. Decides on the organization of the collection. 4. Recommends acquisitions for the collection. 5. Recommends objects to be conserved and conservation priorities. 6. Supervises and administers the exhibitions of the collection. 7. Initiates the scholarly cataloging of objects in the collection. 8. Negotiates loans for objects. 9. Assists in formulation of policy regarding the collection. 10. Interprets the collection to assist scholars with research. Teaches and lectures in a specific subject area. 11. Assists in writing of grant proposals. 12. Supervises staff of exempt and non-exempt employees. 13. Promotes knowledge of the collection through writing, teaching and exhibitions. 14. May perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience

Masters Degree in Art History and two years of curatorial experience or an equivalent education and experience.

Required Skill/Ability 1:

An effective collaborator with the desire and ability to build relationships and work cooperatively across departments at the Gallery, with colleagues at the University and with members of the public, and across the museum field.

Required Skill/Ability 2:

Independent and self-directed, with the ability to take initiative, anticipate actions needed, and exercise discretion and informed judgment.

Required Skill/Ability 3:

Ability to conduct original research and communicate effectively in written and verbal formats to a wide range of audiences.

Required Skill/Ability 4:

Strong interest in mentoring students and in community outreach.

Required Skill/Ability 5:

Commitment to an inclusive workplace.

Preferred Education, Experience and Skills:

Exhibition and publication experience or the equivalent combination of management and writing for arts-based projects. Background in interacting with donors or other stewardship activities. Teaching and public speaking experience. Knowledge of professional practices in the museum or related fields. Experience with object maintenance and handling in a museum or equivalent setting.

Weekend Hours Required? Occasional
Evening Hours Required? Occasional

Drug Screen: No
Health Screening: No

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. Please visit for additional information on the background check requirements and process.

Posting Disclaimer

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

Affirmative Action Statement:

Yale University considers applicants for employment without regard to, and does not discriminate on the basis of, an individual’s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, or national or ethnic origin; nor does Yale discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, at TitleIX@yale.edu, or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 8th Floor, Five Post Office Square, Boston MA 02109-3921. Telephone: 617.289.0111, Fax: 617.289.0150, TDD: 800.877.8339, or Email: ocr.boston@ed.gov.