Exhibition: Design Redux: Exploring 130 Years of American Design Excellence (working title)
Organization: Van Alen Institute
Location: New York City (hybrid)
Term: Project-based, April–November 2026
Compensation: $7,500 USD
Van Alen Institute has spent more than 130 years at the intersection of design ambition and civic life. Its archive—comprising thousands of competition boards, jury records, photographs, and correspondence—is one of the most significant collections of American architectural history in existence. Much of it has never been seen by the public.
Design Redux (working title) is an invitation to change that. The program brings together a cohort of five emerging artists and designers to engage the archive not as a museum piece but as living material—something to be questioned, reinterpreted, and held accountable to the present. Through their work, the selected artists and designers—referred to as Archive Fellows—will recontextualize archival material for contemporary audiences, while spotlighting important absences in the archive, particularly around representation across the design fields.
Design Redux will culminate in a curated exhibition, pairing newly-created pieces with the archival materials that inspired or provoked them. The exhibition will run September 28–November 13, 2026 and will include public programs and educational materials designed to broaden engagement with the history and future of design.
To support this program, Van Alen is seeking a Curatorial Assistant to play a central intellectual and operational role in shaping the exhibition. In addition to supporting logistics and coordination, the Assistant will participate in key curatorial decisions that define the exhibition’s framework and visitor experience. The position is ideal for an emerging curator, design researcher, or cultural producer interested in exhibition-making, archives, and contemporary design practice.
Key Responsibilities
Curatorial Development
Working closely with institutional staff, the Curatorial Assistant will help shape the intellectual framework of the exhibition, including:
- Contributing to the development and refinement of the exhibition concept and thesis
- Participating in the development of the exhibition title
- Assisting in drafting the curatorial statement
- Determining the number and types of works to be requested from participating artists
- Establishing the exhibition checklist of works to be included
- Advising on acceptable scale, materials, and weight limitations for exhibited works
- Helping define public and private access policies, including viewing hours, special tours, and invited previews
- The Curatorial Assistant will also support the selection and engagement of five Archive Fellows, helping review applications and providing ongoing support to selected artists as they develop their projects.
Artist Engagement
- Assist in selecting five Archive Fellows
- Maintain regular check-ins with Fellows as they develop their projects
- Coordinate Fellows’ deliverables and timelines
- Track artwork specifications and production needs
- Manage Fellows’ contracts, honoraria, and communications
Exhibition Planning & Production
The Curatorial Assistant will support all aspects of exhibition realization, including:
- Budget management and expense tracking
- Coordination of artist honoraria payments
- Shipping, transportation, and storage logistics
- Exhibition design and gallery layout planning
- Fabrication and production oversight (printing, framing, vinyl, etc.)
- Installation coordination with technicians and designers
- Deinstallation and return of artwork
Interpretation & Visitor Experience
- Draft and coordinate interpretive materials, including wall text and exhibition guides
- Assist in the development of visitor engagement strategies
- Coordinate the presentation of archival materials alongside contemporary works
- Help ensure the exhibition narrative is accessible and compelling to diverse audiences
Communications & Public Programs
- Support marketing and communications related to the exhibition
- Coordinate with institutional staff on promotion and outreach
- Help plan and execute public programming, including artist talks and panel discussions
- Assist in organizing the exhibition opening event
- Liaise with guest speakers, moderators, and collaborators
Documentation & Evaluation
- Support exhibition documentation, including photography and video
- Track exhibition attendance and engagement metrics
- Maintain archival records of the exhibition
- Assist in preparing post-exhibition reports
Qualifications
Preferred qualifications include:
- Background in curatorial studies, art history, architecture, urban design, urban studies, or related fields
- Demonstrated interest in design, archives, and the built environment
- Experience supporting exhibitions, cultural programs, or gallery installations
- Strong writing and research skills
- Excellent organizational and project management abilities
- Ability to manage multiple timelines and coordinate across teams
- Comfort working with artists, designers, and cultural practitioners across different disciplines
- Proficiency in Google Workspace and project management tools (e.g., Airtable); familiarity with Adobe
- Creative Suite (InDesign/Photoshop) for exhibit guides and asset management is strongly preferred
- Basic understanding of spatial planning (reading floor plans/SketchUp/Rhino), archival handling, and exhibition production specifications (print, mounting, and vinyl)
- Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States
- Emerging professionals and early-career curators are strongly encouraged to apply.
Desired Qualities
The ideal candidate will be:
- Curious about the relationship between history, archives, contemporary design practice, and urbanism
- Collaborative and intellectually engaged
- Detail-oriented and highly organized
- Interested in shaping exhibitions that connect historical materials with present-day cultural questions
Timeline
Key milestones for the exhibition include:
- April 2026: Open call for Archive Fellows launches
- May 2026: Open call for Archive Fellows closes
- June 2026: Fellows selected
- Summer 2026: Fellows develop work with curatorial guidance
- September 28, 2026: Exhibition opens
- November 13, 2026: Exhibition closes
Hours and Commitment
This is a part-time, project-based role with a fluctuating workload based on the exhibition cycle.
- Average Commitment: Approximately 10–12 hours per week from April through August
- Peak Period: Expect a heightened commitment of 20–25 hours per week during the installation phase (September 14–27, 2026) and for the exhibition opening.
- Location: Hybrid. While research, writing, and administrative tasks may be completed remotely, the
- Curatorial Assistant must be available for on-site meetings at Van Alen’s NYC office and present for the full duration of installation and deinstallation.
Compensation
The Curatorial Assistant position is a paid project-based Assistantship. Compensation for the Curatorial Assistant is $7,500.
- Due upon signing of contract: 3,000 USD
- June 15, 2026: 3,000 USD
- Due upon close of the exhibition: 1,500 USD
How to Apply
Applicants should submit the following materials in a single PDF to jobs@vanalen.org with the subject line “Curatorial Assistant: [Your Name]”:
- A brief statement of interest: A brief cover letter (1 page max) outlining your curatorial approach and interest in design archives.
- Resume or CV: Highlighting relevant exhibition or research experience.
- Work Sample (Optional): A portfolio or writing sample demonstrating previous curatorial, research, or design work.
Application Deadline: April 6, 2026
