Curatorial Assistant

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The Whitney Museum seeks a full-time curatorial assistant. Reporting to the Engell Speyer Family Curator and Curator of Performance, the incumbent will work on all matters related to the Whitney’s ambitious program of interdisciplinary performance art. Responsibilities range from scholarly projects and producing new commissions to a variety of administrative tasks. Excellent research and writing skills as well as a strong interest in performance art are essential, and production-oriented experience a plus.

Responsibilities:

Support curator in all phases of commission, production development, and presentation of performance, particularly hybrid or cross-disciplinary works.
Assist curator in all phases of exhibition development, including: research; checklist development; lender and artist relations; publication image rights and reproductions; publication research; floorplan development; installation; and development of public programs related to exhibitions.
Generate research, and support scholarship and contextual pieces related to the performance program and other curatorial projects., including acquisitions.
Assist with support research and access to archives, collections, performance and exhibition history for artists during the process of developing new work.
Assist in the creation of online presence for performance program.
Work closely with other departments, including Exhibitions and Collections Management, Visitor Services, Education, Marketing, Communications, Research Resources, and others on performances and installations.
Work collaboratively with staff to oversee forms of documentation related to performance program.
Draft texts for performances, exhibitions, and acquisitions, including labels, didactics, press and promotional materials.
Conduct research and create presentations as needed for internal and external events.
Support efforts and participate as needed in donor and community relations through attendance at events at the museum and beyond such as performances, exhibition openings, receptions, public programs, donor events, and openings.
Provide clerical support to curator, including correspondence, mailings, calendar, filing, and other tasks as assigned.

Requirements: B.A. in art history (M.A. a plus) and 3+ years institutional work history, or equivalent experience; skills related to TMS, Raiser’s Edge, Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint; outstanding organizational, writing, research, and communication skills, with attention to detail; facility in representing the Whitney at events at the Museum and beyond; ability to handle several projects simultaneously, work well as a member of a team, and meet deadlines.