Research Assistant

Position Summary
Spanning 1900 to the present, Modern and Contemporary Art maintains a collection that ranges from the beginnings of the historical avant-gardes to the art of our own time. The collection includes over 3,000 works, including painting, sculpture, installations, time-based media, photography, and works on paper. Wide ranging in geography and scope, with particular strengths in European 20th century avant-gardes, International Surrealism, mid-century and postwar painting and sculpture, as well as the histories and contemporary legacies of Minimal, Post-Minimal, and Conceptual Art, the department maintains a regularly-rotated, and expansive collection presentation over more than 50,000 square feet of dedicated gallery space, encompassing two floors of The Art Institute’s Renzo Piano-designed Modern Wing. The department additionally presents several large-scale and focused exhibitions and programs annually in temporary exhibition galleries, the Donna and Howard Stone Film and Video Gallery, and on the Bluhm Family Terrace, actively collaborating with artists and scholars to commission and present many live events each year, from performances and screenings to artist’s talks and lectures.

ABOUT THE POSITION
Under the direction of the Gary C. and Frances Comer Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art , and working alongside exhibitions staff from across the museum, the Research Associate supports the curator in the preparation of the exhibition, Remedios Varo (working tittle) which will be on view at the museum between July 29 and November 27, 2023.

RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Conduct research on the artist Remedios Varo, maintaining close contact with the partners at the Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City, as well as other exhibition collaborators and catalogue contributors.

2. Create and maintain a shared Google Drive folder for the exhibition team

3. In consultation with the curator and project manager, establish the exhibition checklist and maintain accurate images and object information

4. With the curator and exhibition manager, coordinate and write loan request letters.

5. With the curator, plan and conduct travel (both domestic and international) to examine potential works for exhibition.

6. In consultation with the curator, exhibition conservator, and exhibition designer make detailed notes regarding condition and presentation of objects.

7. Provide research support to the curator in the development and writing of a catalogue essay

8. Provide writing support on gallery texts, exhibition website, and press materials, as well as with the translation of these materials between English and Spanish

9. Maintain files for correspondence and all inquiries related to exhibition.

10. Other duties as needed.

Qualifications

• MA in Art History, with an emphasis on twentieth-century Latin American art preferred. Broad understanding of the movements, theories, methodologies and discourses of gloabal modern art, particularly international Surrealism.
• Excellent research and writing skills in English and in Spanish, including familiarity with research libraries and conducting original research. Fluency in Spanish preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google suites required; ability to learn museum-specific collection database systems.
• The successful candidate should: be highly detail-oriented and organized;
• demonstrate initiative; embrace the museum’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution; have an open-minded and collaborative approach to working and communicating with all colleagues across the museum; and have strong research, writing, communication, multitasking, project management, and organizational skills.

Benefits
We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• 5+ weeks of paid time off
• Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
• Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
• Great employee discounts
• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

Special Project Position
*This is a special projects position expected to end December 2023

Application Time Out Warning
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Vaccination Expectation

Becoming vaccinated against COVID-19 is the most important contribution we as individuals can make to ensure our own safety and the safety of our museum and school community. All employees must complete an attestation and provide proof of their vaccination status, or request a medical or religious exemption within the first week of employment.

The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in a staff culture that benefits from a wide range of experience, backgrounds, and career paths, and we encourage nontraditional candidates to apply.