Assistant Curator of Contemporary Drawings and Prints at The Museum of Modern Art

Location: New York City, US
Department: Drawings and Prints
Contract: Full-time, unionised
Working pattern: Onsite five days per week during the initial 90-day period, followed by four days per week onsite, subject to change
Salary: $101,162 gross per annum
Application deadline: Not specified
Reports to: The Robert Lehman Foundation Chief Curator of Drawings and Prints

The Museum of Modern Art is seeking an Assistant Curator of Contemporary Drawings and Prints to help shape exhibitions, acquisitions, publications and research relating to contemporary works on paper.

The position centres global and emerging artistic practices, with particular attention to the place of printmaking within contemporary drawing, publishing, multiples and other paper-based practices.

About the Role

MoMA’s Department of Drawings and Prints oversees more than 70,000 works on paper dating from the late nineteenth century to the present.

Working under the direction of the Chief Curator, the Assistant Curator will support exhibitions, collection development and scholarly research. With experience, they may independently organise focused exhibitions, study-centre projects and collection presentations.

The successful candidate will work across physical and digital platforms, considering how drawings, prints and other works on paper are interpreted, circulated and made accessible to different audiences.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Curator will:

• Support the research, conceptual development and administration of exhibitions;
• Prepare exhibition checklists, budgets, loan requests and provenance research;
• Coordinate exhibition and publication schedules;
• Conduct bibliographic, collection and exhibition research;
• Catalogue works and manage loan correspondence;
• Support study-centre activities and public programmes;
• Research and write catalogue essays, brochures, wall texts, labels and digital interpretation;
• Assist with the care, display and management of the collection and loans;
• Work with conservation, registration, preparation and collection-management teams;
• Collaborate with artists, estates, galleries, publishers and external institutions;
• Develop relationships with trustees, donors, collectors, committee members and Museum audiences;
• Deliver lectures, tours, study-centre visits and studio visits;
• Maintain knowledge of contemporary works on paper through exhibitions, publications, art fairs and international research;
• Research and recommend potential acquisitions and gifts;
• Present acquisition proposals to the Drawings and Prints Committee;
• Contribute to strategic planning for exhibitions, acquisitions and research;
• Develop content for websites and other digital platforms; and
• Manage and mentor curatorial assistants, fellows, research assistants and interns.

Requirements

Applicants should have:

• A master’s degree or higher in Art History, focusing on the final decades of the twentieth century and the twenty-first century;
• At least four years of relevant curatorial experience in a museum or comparable organisation;
• Demonstrated knowledge and curatorial experience relating to contemporary works on paper;
• An interest in contemporary, global and emerging artistic practices;
• An understanding of the importance of print-based practices within the broader field of contemporary art;
• A strong research profile;
• Exceptional scholarly and public-facing writing skills;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• The ability to identify, recommend and help secure acquisitions and gifts;
• Strong organisational and project-management skills;
• The ability to manage overlapping deadlines and changing priorities;
• Experience working with digital platforms;
• A collegial, diplomatic and engaged working style;
• Proficiency in a digital working environment; and
• A willingness to travel when required.

Fluency in a language in addition to English would be advantageous. Previous specialisation in prints is not required.

About the Museum of Modern Art

Founded in 1929, the Museum of Modern Art collects, preserves, researches and presents modern and contemporary art.

Its Department of Drawings and Prints stewards the Museum’s largest curatorial collection, encompassing drawings, prints, multiples, illustrated books and other paper-based practices. The department also maintains a study centre supporting research, teaching, close looking and public engagement.

The position is represented by Local 2110, UAW, AFL-CIO.