Curatorial Assistant, Photography

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for a curatorial assistant in the Department of Photography to assist senior curatorial staff in all areas of their responsibilities, including administrative work in the context of acquisitions, collections records, bibliographic and biographical records and files, and research for exhibitions and publications. Collaborates on exhibition catalogs and other publications, answers general curatorial inquiries, and helps coordinate meetings of the Committee on Photography.

Responsibilities:

Exhibitions:

• Performs the duties of exhibitions assistant, including research on artists, periods, styles, specific works, locations of works, photograph sources, etc.  Assists in cataloging; prepares checklists from compilation to data entry; coordinates and schedules work to be done within the Museum in such areas as conservation, photography, public information, matting and framing, construction, lighting, etc.
• Assists with the writing and preparation of wall labels, introduction texts, press releases.
• Contributes to the exhibition catalog as assigned by the senior curator.
• Researches and catalogs the Museum collection and archives under senior staff supervision, and answers related inquiries from the public and scholars.

Collection:

• Performs work in relation to care of the collection and arranges for custodial, registration, and preparation work as required by the curatorial staff in the maintenance of the collection in gallery, study, and storage areas.
• Conducts weekly inspection of the works on view in temporary exhibitions and collection galleries, and assists with follow-up arrangements in the event of damage, deterioration, etc.
• Participates in meetings of the Committee on Photography, prepares blurbs on acquisitions new to the Museum Collection and presents works to the Committee.

External Affairs, Public Programs:

• Answers inquiries and conducts some gallery tours as necessary for visitors.
• Researches and catalogs the Museum collection and archives under senior staff supervision, and answers related inquiries from the public and scholars.
• Keeps informed of current activity in the area of departmental interests through gallery and Museum visits, publications, etc. and conveys observations to the senior staff.

General:

• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Requirements:

• Photography history or art history background, with a masters of art (required) or ABD (preferred) in the field or comparable experience. Demonstrates strong research capabilities.
• Relevant museum experience or equivalent.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written; superior presentation skills; sound judgment.
• Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills.
• Highly motivated.
• Strict attention to detail, rigorous approach to tasks, ability to multitask.
• Excellent computer skills.
• High level of enthusiasm to work with a curatorial team.
• Ability to manage more than one project at a time and to consistently meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of one language, in addition to English, is preferred.
• Fully vaccinated with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and/or the World Health Organization authorized vaccine (or approved for an exemption as a reasonable accommodation due to a qualified disability or sincerely held religious belief or other legal basis).