Associate Curator, Modern and Contemporary Art

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Position Summary

MISSION: The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.

OUR VALUES: All staff members are expected to embrace the museum’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution and to adhere to the museum’s shared values.

• Our museum reflects and deepens our collective humanity; the arts are integral to an inspired and just society.
• We respect and acknowledge each of our colleagues’ contributions and expertise across all roles within our organization.
• We share in the responsibility to create an antiracist culture built on equity, inclusion, and justice for all, acknowledging that these efforts are intersectional and ongoing.
• We encourage and advance a culture of hospitality, empathy, and gratitude for each visitor, supporter, and member of our staff.
• We embrace innovation and foster change with a progressive understanding of—and obligation to reconsider—our past.
• We sustain an open and dynamic civic platform, inviting and advancing the diverse perspectives of our city, staff, visitors, and supporters.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:  Spanning 1900 to the present, Modern and Contemporary Art maintains a collection that ranges from the beginnings of the international avant-gardes of the 20th century to the art of our present moment. The collection includes over 3,000 works, encompassing painting, sculpture, installations, time-based media, photography, and works on paper. Wide ranging in geography and scope – with particular strengths in European 20th-century modernism, International Surrealism, midcentury and postwar painting and sculpture, as well as the histories and contemporary legacies of Minimal, Post-Minimal, and Conceptual Art – the department maintains a regularly rotated and expansive presentation of its collection in more than 50,000 square feet of dedicated gallery space across two floors of the museum’s Renzo Piano-designed Modern Wing. The department additionally presents several large-scale and focused exhibitions and programs annually, including in the Donna and Howard Stone Film and Video Gallery and on the Bluhm Family Terrace, and actively collaborates with artists and scholars to commission and present many live events each year, from performances and screenings to artist’s talks and lectures.

ABOUT THE POSITION: Under the guidance of the chair, the associate curator supports the department in caring for, researching, producing content on, interpreting, and displaying the permanent collection of the department. The associate curator assumes responsibility and connoisseurship for areas of specialty, keeps abreast of the field and the art market, recommends acquisitions and deaccessions to the chair and President and Director in consultation with other curators, and proposes exhibitions for the museum.

The associate curator supports the chair’s artist-centered strategic vision of the department; helps to enhance the visibility and reputation of the museum and develop community interest and support for the departmental collection; and supports the museum in its commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable institution. The area of specialty and primary focus for the associate curator is contemporary art, also recognizing areas of expertise that extend beyond that period, which contribute to the strategic vision of the department.

With support from the chair, the associate curator proposes exhibitions, gallery rotations, and reinstallations for areas of specialty; performs art historical research, writing, and interpretation for areas of specialty; produces and publishes content; conceives of, organizes, and develops publications and interpretive materials; and liaises with colleagues to develop compelling narratives, programs, and content for broad audience engagement.

The associate curator communicates clearly and consistently with departmental colleagues about projects and timelines; and mentors and collaborates with departmental interns, fellows, and volunteers. The associate curator engages in a collaborative role with Conservation and Science and Collections and Loans to review treatments and foster best practices for maintaining the areas of specialty within the collection, speaking from an informed position that centers the artist’s intentions. All of these efforts are supported by the associate curator’s collaboration with the philanthropy team to cultivate relationships with donors, collectors, and committee members. Under the guidance of the chair, the associate curator collaborates with colleagues across the museum to present and produce knowledge about the collection, fostering engagement through exhibitions and publications in a range of print and digital media.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Collection growth and care: Under the guidance of the chair, evaluates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of areas of specialty within the collection; keeps abreast of the field, including visits to artists’ studios, exhibitions and art fairs, current scholarship, the market and legal and ethical issues in the field; works with dealers; recommends acquisitions and deaccessions; cultivates and maintains relationships with artists, donors, dealers, galleries, auction houses, and peers. As needed, supports the maintenance and cataloguing of records, documentation, and research; supports collection management through cataloging, database upkeep, website publication, and object care and movement; ensures the safety and stability of the collection and loans; consults with Conservation and Science on the general physical condition, treatment, storage, and display of the collection; considers loans; and responds to related external and internal inquiries.

Research and scholarship: Carries out original research that results in significant art historical scholarship and exhibitions; produces collection and provenance research, documentation, and content; actively builds object files, maintains object database records, and publishes new research findings online; in collaboration with museum colleagues, determines appropriate medium for sharing content, including digital platforms, in-gallery didactics, or print. Under the guidance of the chair, collaborates with colleagues in other departments on cross-departmental initiatives. Under the guidance of the chair, pursues opportunities through scholarly publications, conferences, teaching, and lecturing. As needed, responds to external inquiries about the collection.

Philanthropy and stewardship: Under the guidance of the chair, and in consultation with colleagues in External Affairs, supports the stewardship and cultivation of donors and the museum’s fundraising efforts. Works closely and liases with the Society for Contemporary Art on the annual acquisition process, as well as the SCA’s visiting artists program, the annual meeting, and bi-annual fundraiser. When appropriate, may advise collectors and engage them in the museum’s vision; maintains accurate information on donors’ collections; and with guidance from the chair, may initiate conversations about gifts, promised gifts, and loans. Supports the preparation for curatorial advisory committee meetings, including the agenda, supporting materials, research and justifications, and presentations. As needed, and in collaboration with development colleagues, occasionally suggests, writes, and administers grants for exhibitions and other departmental or museum-wide projects.

Exhibitions: Under the guidance of the chair, may conceptualize and propose exhibitions, performances, and other departmental programming to be organized or co-organized by the associate curator; and may also be assigned exhibitions by the chair. As appropriate, initiates and plans the research, development, organization, installation, and related publication and interpretive materials for exhibitions and gallery installations according to museum standards, budgets, and guidelines. Under the guidance of the exhibition team, and as outlined in museum procedures, contributes to the relevant curatorial duties required of curatorial departments in the exhibition development process. Maintains relationships with peer museums, institutions, and cultural agencies with the potential for exhibition loans and partnerships.

Visibility and audience outreach: Collaborates with colleagues to create innovative, compelling, and accessible interpretive content and programming to enhance engagement; serves as an expert on the areas of specialty within the collection and acts as a museum representative internally and externally through lectures, interviews, tours, juries, advisory committees, and conferences. Under the guidance of the chair and President and Director, may serve as a guest curator or advisor on external projects. Supports the chair’s efforts to promote international visibility and recognition in the field through contributions to scholarship; participates in the museum’s robust university and fellowship programs and supports the training of fellows and interns through teaching and mentoring. As needed, may review and provide feedback on marketing and communications related to departmental collection. Encourages access to museum resources and collection for artists, historians, scholars, universities, art professionals, and other peers; and responds to external inquiries from scholars, curators, and peers as needed.

Departmental Support: The associate curator occasionally supervises fellows and interns.

Qualifications

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Position involves travel, including international travel, as well occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Occasionally handles art.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in art history or equivalent experience required
• Experience working in museums, galleries, and/or other curatorial capacities required; minimum of five to six years of experience required
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google suites required; ability to learn museum-specific collection database
• Knowledge of foreign languages as appropriate to areas of specialty
• The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
  • a broad art historical foundation;
  • expertise, experience, and interest in pursuing a distinct area or areas relevant to expanding areas of the collection;
  • a record of scholarship in areas of specialty;
  • a willingness to embrace the museum’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution;
  • an open-minded and collaborative approach to working and communicating with all colleagues across the museum;
  • outstanding communication skills that demonstrate both scholarly ability and interest in public engagement;
  • and experience in working with collectors and donors.

Benefits

We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• 5+ weeks of paid time off
• Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
• Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
• Great employee discounts
• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

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Closing Statement

Vaccination Expectation

Becoming vaccinated against COVID-19 is the most important contribution we as individuals can make to ensure our own safety and the safety of our museum and school community. All employees must complete an attestation and provide proof of their vaccination status, or request a medical or religious exemption within the first week of employment.

The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in a staff culture that benefits from a wide range of experience, backgrounds, and career paths, and we encourage nontraditional candidates to apply.