The LG Guggenheim Art and Technology Initiative is a five-year, multifaceted collaboration between the Guggenheim and LG designed to research, honor, and promote artists working at the intersection of art and technology. Unique in its areas of concentration and approach, the initiative is an unprecedented investment in technology as an artistic medium. It will enable the Guggenheim to broaden its investigations into this innovative field, providing essential support to the visionary artists who inspire new understandings of how technology shapes, and is shaped by, society.

The multi-year initiative establishes the LG Guggenheim Award, which recognizes one artist annually for their groundbreaking achievements in technology-based art. Administered by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, the award is juried by an international panel of distinguished museum directors, curators, scholars, and other arts professionals, with the selected artist receiving an unrestricted honorarium of $100,000. The inaugural recipient of the LG Guggenheim Award will be announced in spring 2023 at the Guggenheim’s Young Collector’s Council (YCC) Party, presented by LG Display.

As part of the initiative, the LG Electronics Associate Curator will take an active role in developing and sustaining the Guggenheim’s engagement with digital and technology-based art. Working independently under the supervision of the museum’s senior curatorial staff,this newly-created, research-based position will promote a deeper understanding of the ways contemporary artists employ computer-based hardware, the internet, augmented and virtual reality software, artificial intelligence, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the metaverse, and other burgeoning technologies. In addition to managing the LG Guggenheim Award process, the LG Electronics Associate Curator will work closely with the museum’s education, conservation, and communications departments to develop scholarship and other public-facing content that will support and enhance the initiative.

SKILL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrated scholarly or curatorial knowledge of technology-based contemporary art, especially using such future-facing technologies as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the metaverse
• At least three years relevant experience in a museum setting or similar environment
• Project-management experience preferred
• Superior research and writing skillsAbility to be proactive, use independent judgment and initiative
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing priorities
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent attention to detail with ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Professional demeanor and diplomatic skills required
• Prior experience working in an office environment required
• Foreign language skills a plus
• Computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• With colleagues in the Curatorial and Advancement departments, manage the administration of the LG Guggenheim Award, including coordination of the jury process and communication with various departments within the museum.
• Coordinate the museum’s engagement with emerging artists for the annual Young Collector’s Council Party, including the development of artist selection criteria; management of artist outreach and engagement; and, in collaboration with the Special Events department, oversight of artist involvement in the YCC Party.
• Conduct research on the newest developments in the field of technology-based art (including but not limited to sculpture, installation, video, performance, and web-based artworks that engage with computer-based hardware, the Internet, augmented and virtual reality software, artificial intelligence, non-fungible tokens, or the metaverse) and manifest that research through public-facing programs and projects, conceived and executed in collaboration with the museum’s Education, Communications, and Exhibitions departments.
• Establish and develop relationships with practitioners in the field of technology-based art, including curators, scholars, and artists, by attending/participating in panels, conferences, and art fairs, and by conducting studio visits.
• Collaborate with the Advancement department on developing and maintaining relationships with individual and corporate museum donors, including LG and its high-profile subsidiaries LG Electronics and LG Display, the Guggenheim’s Tech and Innovation Council, and the Young Collectors Council.
• Collaborate with the Digital Experience and Publications departments on the planning, development, and production of digital and/or physical publications, such as Guggenheim blogs or exhibition catalogues, including the contribution of original written content
• Collaborate with Education department, develop educational and public programs related to the fields of art and technology
• Collaborate with the Conservation department on technology-based preservation activities, including the Conserving Computer-Based Art initiative
• Participate in Curatorial department discussions around collection strategy; research, identify, and write on potential acquisitions; and collaborate with collections team on acquisition intake
• Assist in arranging all aspects of select exhibitions, including scholarly research and writing; preparing checklists, including database entry and maintenance, and managing loan correspondence; and coordinating with Exhibition Management, Exhibition Design, Registrar, Conservation, and Exhibition Services departments to implement the exhibition.
• Write didactic texts as well as materials for fundraising, digital platforms, and press and marketing materials, as requested
• Answer inquiries and conduct gallery tours as necessary for visitors, etc.
• Work with curatorial interns as assigned
• Provide administrative support for senior curatorial staff

WORK DEMANDS & ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally
• Ability to travel within the metropolitan area as required to perform the above duties at any of the Guggenheim’s owned or leased properties upon request.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays on occasion.
• Ability to lift at least 25 lbs.

EDUCATION:

• Master’s Degree in Art History or related field required

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: n/a

REPORTS TO:  Curator, Performance and Media

LOCATION:  One Liberty Plaza, New York, NY 10006

WORK SCHEDULE: 40 Hours per Week, Schedule TBD

POSITION TYPE:  Full-time, Exempt, This is a 5-year fixed term position.
This position will become a position covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Local 2110 UAW.

SALARY RANGE:  $80,000 – $85,000 annually

In accordance with Guggenheim policy, all Museum employees are required to show proof of fully vaccinated status in order to work except for those with very limited legally-permissible exemptions (or approved for an exemption as a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, sincerely held religious belief, or pregnancy, or because you are a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses).  

The Guggenheim is dedicating itself to creating paths that lead to a more inclusive and diverse institution.  We encourage inquiries from applicants who will reflect the plurality of our culture and our global audience.  The Guggenheim does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin or disability status.