CONTRACT CURATORIAL ASSISTANT

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Bard Graduate Center

Bard Graduate Center (BGC), a division of Bard College, located on West 86th Street in New York City, is seeking a Contract Curatorial Assistant for academic year 2022–2023.

Founded in 1993, Bard Graduate Center offers MA and PhD programs in the study of the cultural history of the material world and is committed to the encyclopedic study of things, drawing on methodologies and approaches from art and design history, history of technology, philosophy, anthropology, archaeology, and cultural history.

Bard Graduate Center Gallery has a worldwide reputation for scholarly exhibitions exploring a broad range of under-recognized aspects of the decorative arts, design history, and material culture. Curated by our faculty, external consultants, and students, these exhibitions are comprised exclusively of loans from public and private collections. Our ambitious exhibitions are based on thought-provoking curatorial thinking, innovative methods of interpretation that frequently employ digital media, and the highest museum standards for installation and display.

General Description
Reporting to the members of the gallery staff, the contract curatorial assistant will be assigned to work on forthcoming BGC Gallery exhibitions about African metalwork; the designed oeuvre of Sonia Delaunay; Sèvres porcelain sculpture; and the architectural designs of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc. The contract curatorial assistant will assist with all aspects of exhibition research and planning, including developing exhibition checklists (from initial research and compilation to data entry to finalizing object labels for interpretation), catalogue preparation (including preparing and distributing manuscripts during editorial phase, organizing illustrations, liaising with authors, editors, book designers, and related internal project staff), and developing and editing exhibition interpretation (both in-gallery and online).

Primary Responsibilities

Provide curatorial and clerical support for current and upcoming gallery exhibitions
Coordinate editorial production of exhibition catalogues
Assist with exhibition checklist preparation
Execute data entry of checklist objects into BGC’s object database, Filemaker Pro
Coordinate and send formal exhibition loan requests and track responses
Liaise with international group of exhibition lenders
Track publication progress, through research, editing, design, and proofreading
Assist with preparation of exhibition interpretation (research, writing, editing, coordinating contributions from multiple project curators)
Conduct research at BGC’s Library and other NYC institutions as needed
Prepare check requests; reconcile credit card statements; make travel arrangements for visiting curators

Qualifications

Minimum MA in the history of art, decorative arts, design history, architectural history, or material culture
French-language skills with ability to write, proofread manuscripts in French; additional skills in other languages helpful
Strong research skills including a familiarity with library and image databases, art/art historical journals
Prior office experience including experience with content management system databases, preferably Filemaker Pro
Detail oriented and strong organizational skills
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work in fast-paced office on multiple assignments

Compensation & Schedule
Contract will begin October 17, 2022, and end June 30, 2023. The contract curatorial assistant will be expected to work 35 hours per week on average, although some weeks may require additional hours. Hourly rate for the 37 week time period will be $30/hour.

This is a contract position and not eligible for benefits. A W-9 will need to be completed on day 1 of contract.

To Apply
Please submit a cover letter outlining interest in the position, a resume, an academic writing sample, and contact information for three references to curatorial.assistant@bgc.bard.edu.

Bard Graduate Center requires all employees to be fully vaccinated and follow the guidelines and protocols established to address campus safety regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.