Curatorial Assistant, Painting and Sculpture

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Organisation: The Museum of Modern Art
Location: New York, USA
Contract: Full-time, unionised position
Working arrangement: Hybrid following an initial 90-day on-site period
Salary: $74,858 gross per annum
Application deadline: 18 September 2026; applications reviewed on a rolling basis

The Opportunity

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for a Curatorial Assistant in the Department of Painting and Sculpture.

The Museum is the repository of the world’s largest and most inclusive collection of modern painting and sculpture, comprising some 4,000 works dating from the late nineteenth century to the present day. The Painting and Sculpture Department produces a rigorous and innovative programme of acquisitions, exhibitions and scholarship.

The Curatorial Assistant supports senior curators in all areas of responsibility, including administrative work in the context of curatorial functions such as research for exhibitions and publications, loans, acquisitions, collection records, bibliographic and biographical records and files, and general curatorial enquiries.

The position reports to the Estrellita Brodsky Curator of Latin American Art in the Department of Painting and Sculpture.

Responsibilities

Assist senior curators with all aspects of the research, planning, organisation and realisation of upcoming exhibitions.
Write, edit and assist in the production of Museum publications and exhibition-related materials, including wall texts and extended object labels.
Research and catalogue the Museum’s collection and archives as they relate to the exhibition project and answer related enquiries.
Perform exhibition support functions, including bibliographic and checklist research, loan correspondence, publication research and production, website development and public programme planning.
Assist in the maintenance of the collection and loans, and expedite arrangements for custodial, registration, conservation and preparation work as required in gallery, study and storage areas.
Act as a liaison with external individuals and organisations and with other departments within the Museum.
Assist with research and preparation for potential acquisitions, including biographical and bibliographical research, maintaining files and communicating with dealers, galleries, collectors and artists, as necessary.
Remain informed about current activity in the Department’s areas of interest through gallery and museum visits, publications and other research, and make recommendations to senior staff.
Conduct daily inspections of the collection galleries and works displayed in temporary exhibitions, assisting with follow-up arrangements in the event of damage or deterioration.
Answer enquiries and conduct gallery tours as necessary.
Perform other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Requirements

A master’s degree or PhD in art history with expertise in modern and contemporary art.
Specialised knowledge of twentieth-century and contemporary Latinx and Latin American art is preferred and will support the development of an upcoming exhibition centred on a late twentieth-century artist.
One to two years of experience working in a museum or supporting loan exhibitions and accompanying publications.
Superior research, writing and editing skills.
Professional-level proficiency in Spanish.
Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
The ability to work successfully as part of a team.
Working knowledge of Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Familiarity with The Museum System is helpful.

Working Arrangements

On-site presence is required five days per week during the initial 90-day employment period.

Following this period, the schedule will ordinarily require four days per week on-site, subject to change at management’s discretion. Some weeks will require five days of on-site attendance.

This is a unionised position, with covered MoMA employees represented by Local 2110, UAW, AFL-CIO.

About the Museum

Founded in 1929 as an educational institution, The Museum of Modern Art is dedicated to being the foremost museum of modern and contemporary art in the world.

The Museum establishes, preserves and documents a collection that reflects the vitality, complexity and unfolding patterns of modern and contemporary art. It presents exhibitions and educational programmes, sustains internationally recognised research resources and supports scholarship and publications.

Central to MoMA’s mission is encouraging an ever-deepening understanding and enjoyment of modern and contemporary art among its diverse local, national and international audiences.