Assistant Curator (Contemporary Art)

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Addison Gallery of American Art

The Addison Gallery of American Art seeks a collaborative, flexible, and team-oriented individual to join a dynamic Curatorial department as Assistant Curator. The successful candidate will possess a strong knowledge of American art history with a particular focus in contemporary art. The Assistant Curator will aid the curatorial department in the development and implementation of curatorial projects and artist’s residencies, including exhibition development, publications, and the maintenance, research, presentation, and growth of the permanent collection.

About the Addison Gallery of American Art

One of the first institutions dedicated exclusively to American art, the Addison Gallery has one of the most important collections of American art in the world. Through the museum’s collection of over 25,000 works across all media, visitors can trace the cultural, political, and social forces that have shaped the American experience from the 18th century to the present. In a typical year, the museum presents 12-15 shows, including both permanent collection installations and major traveling exhibitions, carefully balanced to represent a wide range of art, across time and media. A teaching museum located on the campus of a secondary school, the Addison Gallery serves not only as an educational resource for Phillips Academy but as a cultural and educational center of American art for local, regional, national, and international audiences. The museum is free and open to the public.

Phillips Academy is an intentionally diverse residential school committed to creating an equitable and inclusive community in which students from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences learn and grow together. The ideal candidate supports this commitment.

Essential Functions

Contribute to the development, management and promotion of loan and permanent collection exhibitions at various levels of responsibility
Propose and develop thematic exhibitions including works from the permanent collection and/or loans: establishing concept, proposed checklist, and budget
Assist senior curators with research and planning of exhibition and publication projects including the production and maintenance of project timelines, checklists, and loans
Collaborate with museum project partners including other museums, galleries, artists, guest curators, editors, designers, publishers, and in-house staff
Participate in the selection of artists for the Elson Artist-in-Residence Program, coordinating visits and facilitating related projects including residencies, exhibitions, publications, and events
Perform ongoing research on collection objects, artists, and potential acquisitions
Support the day-to-day operations of the Curatorial department, participating in exhibition, collection, and public programs planning
Write or collaborate on exhibition-centered texts, including venue proposals, work labels and didactics, content for the museum website, press releases, and grant applications
Work in close partnership with the Education department to contribute to programs related to the collection and special exhibitions for Phillips Academy and the public, including but not limited to lectures, workshops, tours, and other in-gallery interpretation offers
Assist with preparing proposals, reports, and presentations for Board, alumni, and committee meetings
Contribute to the general promotion of the museum and its fundraising activities by serving as an ambassador for the Addison Gallery locally, nationally, and internationally as an active member in the field and with the general public

Qualifications

Broad knowledge of American art with particular focus on contemporary art
MA in art history or related discipline is preferred, with 2-3 years of relevant museum experience
Experience working with living artists is helpful
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including writing and public speaking
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to meet deadlines and manage shifting priorities
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint
Proficiency with computerized collection databases; Gallery Systems’ EmbARK database preferred
Agility with project management and sharing applications