Assistant Curator of Photography

This content is exclusive for CfC members.

Please or register to see all our content.

Woodruff Arts Center employees play an integral role in creating and supporting great art and education initiatives at the nation’s third largest arts center. Comprised of three Art Partners—Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art—there’s a role for everyone at The Woodruff.

Department: Artistic
Reports to: Donald and Marilyn Keough Family Curator of Photography
FLSA: United States of America (Exempt)
Employment Status: Regular/

POSITION SUMMARY:

The High Museum of Art seeks an innovative assistant curator with an expertise in the history of photography. In collaboration with the Keough Family Curator of Photography, the Assistant Curator of Photography will contribute to all aspects of the Museum’s curatorial program for photography including acquisitions, exhibitions, publications, and special projects. Spanning the beginnings of the medium in the 1840s to contemporary work, the High’s photography collection of over 8,000 works has strengths in American modernist and documentary traditions from the mid-twentieth century as well as images of the American South – from that of the civil rights movement to leading contemporary artists. Additionally, the High includes significant monographic holdings of photographs by Eugene Atget, Wynn Bullock, Harry Callahan, William Christenberry, Walker Evans, Ilse Bing, Leonard Freed, Evelyn Hofer, Clarence John Laughlin, Abelardo Morell, and Peter Sekaer, among others.

Work Schedule:
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Working with the Keough Family Curator of Photography, plan and manage the development of the photography collections, exhibitions, related curatorial programs, and departmental staff;
• Develop and manage significant, creative exhibition projects in the field, including the organization of collaborative projects with national and international participants.
• Research information pertinent to the identification, documentation, or authentication of works of art and develop appropriate object records in accordance with current professional standards;
• Conceive, develop, and publish exhibition catalogues, articles, and related works, including via digital formats;
• Engage with photographers and maintain current knowledge of the market to conceive and pursue strategic objectives of gifts, bequests, commissions, and other purchases to develop and refine the photography holdings;
• In collaboration with department Curator, regularly and effectively communicate and work with museum staff, trustees, colleagues, and others to enrich, expand, and otherwise facilitate the program of photography and to ensure that related content is accurately conveyed and represented;
• In collaboration with staff and outside consultants, help facilitate access to and care of the collection, conservation, cataloguing, digitization initiatives, and study room activities;
• Work collaboratively with education and interpretation staff to develop and produce interpretive strategies and accompanying materials for collections-based projects and special exhibitions, as well as conduct training for docents and provide new opportunities for community outreach;
• In conjunction with program staff and others, help develop and participate in public programs on the collection and relevant special exhibitions;
• Propose and lead programs for the museum’s Friends of Photography support group and otherwise foster and maintain good working relationships with existing and potential patrons, trustees, and museum colleagues across the country and abroad, as well as with the academic community, art dealers, and collectors;
• In collaboration with department Curator, maintain departmental correspondence, assist with budgets, and attend meetings;
• Serve as a mentor to curatorial research associates and, as required, Mellon Fellows and interns;
• Train and serve as a designated museum art courier as necessary;
• Represent the museum in professional associations and at symposia and other scholarly meetings and events;
• Meet all responsibilities with the highest ethical and professional standards.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

• M.A. required; expertise in the history of photography with a minimum of five years of relevant experience and knowledge of museum practices;
• Expertise with exhibition development and organization.

Skills and Abilities:
• Exhibits effective communication, organizational and time-management skills.
• Must be resourceful, creative, flexible, and have the ability to work effectively and positively with other professional staff across multiple divisions in a highly collaborative environment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Some standing, walking, bending, frequent use of hands, stooping and light lifting (at least 10 pounds) is needed.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.