CRANBROOK ART MUSEUM 

Cranbrook Art Museum is accepting applications for a full-time, paid, curatorial assistant in residence as its 2022–2023 Jeanne and Ralph Graham Curatorial Fellow. This is a unique opportunity for an emerging museum curator with a passion for contemporary art to play an important role in the presentation and interpretation of Cranbrook’s collections and exhibitions programs. A major thrust of the Art Museum’s exhibitions, public art projects, and collections over the past seven years has been a focus on diversifying the artists that it presents and collects. This, together with our educational engagements and public art projects, has deepened our connections to the cities of Detroit, Flint, and Pontiac. The Curatorial Fellow will be an essential partner in furthering this important work. 

Reporting directly to the Chief Curator, and working collaboratively with other staff of the Art Museum including the Assistant Curator of Collections, as well as staff from other Cranbrook units, the Fellow will assist in the research, development, and implementation of exhibitions and publications; conduct research on the holdings of the Art Museum; and help with the display and interpretation of art. The fellowship is a full-time curatorial position that: 

• in collaboration and cooperation with the curatorial and registration staff, helps develop exhibitions, including but not limited to checklist development, loan and contributor agreements, layout of exhibitions, primary and secondary research of artworks and artists for presentation and publication; 

• conducts research on the museum’s holdings and potential acquisitions and prepares related texts and presentations for Cranbrook’s acquisition committees; 

• conducts object and artist research and assists with display and interpretation within the museum’s innovative, open storage Collections Wing; 

• writes interpretive texts for exhibitions, programs, acquisitions, and other projects; 

• conducts public and private tours of temporary exhibitions and the Collections Wing for special guests of Cranbrook; 

• works with the Art Museum Director, Chief Curator, and other museum staff to present the exhibition program; 

• assists in collections-based education programs for students and adults; 

• attends and participates in Art Museum staff meetings; 

• facilitates research requests and inquiries about the exhibitions and collections; 

• assists with cataloging records and representing the collections on the Art Museum’s website; 

Requirements 

The ideal candidate should have an M.A. in curatorial studies, art history, material culture, cultural studies, or a related field (completion of M.A. coursework required), with a focus on and interest in 20th– and 21st-century art; demonstrated research and interpretation skills; outstanding speaking, writing, and editing skills; attention to detail; strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel); and collections database experience (TMS strongly preferred). Previous curatorial experience or internships preferred but not required. A commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access is fundamental. Knowledge of aspects of the Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) are helpful, but not required. 

About Cranbrook 

Cranbrook Art Museum is a leading venue for the presentation of twentieth- and twenty-first-century art, craft, architecture, and design. The Art Museum is located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, a suburb of metropolitan Detroit, on the beautiful 319-acre historic landmark campus of the Cranbrook Educational Community. The Art Museum’s sister institution is Cranbrook Academy of Art, a renowned graduate school of art, architecture, craft, and design. While the collections of the Art Museum span the 20th and 21st centuries, the permanent collection focus is on the achievements of faculty and students of the Academy of Art and of artists in the Detroit metropolitan area. 

Compensation and Residential Housing 

The 12-month fellowship begins in July 2022 and continues through June 30, 2023. The fellowship is subject to renewal for a second year, based on performance, allowing for the continued development and realization of longer-term projects. This is a temporary full-time (40 hour per week) position with annual compensation of $35,600 with an apartment (no smoking or 

pets) on Cranbrook’s campus provided at no cost for the duration of the fellowship. The position is also eligible for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Simply Blue medical plan. 

Applications 

Applications reviewed until position filled with priority given to applications received by April 25. Please send a cover letter (including Fellowship and career trajectory and goals), résumé, writing sample, list of three references with contact information (phone, email), and completed Cranbrook Employee Application (which can be downloaded from the Employment page of our website at www.cranbrook.edu) to: humanresources@cranbrook.edu. 

Cranbrook is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse staff and encourage applications from underrepresented groups. 

For more information, please refer to the website of organisation.