Curatorial Assistant

Curatorial Assistant

ABOUT THE SHED:  Scheduled to open in early 2019 on the west side of Manhattan where the High Line meets Hudson Yards, The Shed will be the first multi-arts center designed to commission, produce, and present all types of performing arts, visual arts, and popular culture.  From hip hop to classical music, visual art to literature, film to theater and dance, with collaborations across these disciplines and others, we will bring together leading artists from all art forms under one roof.  The Shed will be driven by experimentation, innovation, and collaboration.

The Shed will be a place of significant cultural and societal impact, where the world’s leading artists and creative minds can make art that helps forge tomorrow’s world, and where audiences from all walks of life can experience this art together.

For more information, see: http://www.theshed.org

Job Description:

The Curatorial Assistant is part of the Program team and reports to the Curator, as well as assisting the Exhibitions Producer. The role will organize, administer, and deliver all aspects of a number of The Shed’s projects, as well as providing research support to the Artistic Director and CEO.

While the Curatorial Assistant will be involved principally in programs, they are also part of The Shed team, which works together to ensure The Shed’s opening and projects are smoothly delivered, as well as promoting The Shed locally and internationally.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

The Curatorial Assistant will be involved in the research, planning and realization of The Shed’s exhibition program.

GENERAL EXHIBITIONS

• Work closely with the Curator and Exhibitions Producer to deliver all aspect of the Exhibitions.
• Researching artists and creating dossiers as needed.
• Make arrangements for accommodation, travel and hospitality for visiting artists, representatives and couriers, including per diems.
• Schedule internal and external meetings and appointments and prepare material as appropriate.
• Create loans database, generating loan forms and liaising with lenders.
• Assist the Curator with drafting and monitoring preliminary schedules for each exhibition.
• Process all general exhibition enquiries, unsolicited artist and exhibition proposals.
• Ensure all administration and exhibition files are kept up to date.
• Drafting exhibition texts and language in relation to the exhibition.
• Assisting the Exhibitions Producer on the logistical coordination of the project including production, installation and de-installation.
• Assist the Curator with all aspects of the production of exhibition catalogues and exhibition materials.
• This job description is a guide to the nature of the work. It is neither wholly comprehensive nor restrictive and therefore does not preclude change or development that will inevitably be required in the future.

Qualifications & Qualities:

The Curatorial Assistant will have excellent written and verbal communication skills. They will be capable of multi-tasking while having impeccable attention to detail skills. They will be a problem solver. They must be able work under pressure both independently and as part of a team and be able to prioritize their workload effectively. They will have proven computer skills.

Essential requirements

• Knowledge of, and interest in, modern and contemporary art.
• 2-3 years’ experience working within cultural institutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent administration and project coordination skills.
• Excellent computer literacy with experience of Excel and mailing list and database management.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail, proofreading skills, and immaculate presentation of work.
• An understanding of the needs for confidentiality.
• Ability to work flexibly and cooperatively as part of a team and The Shed as a whole.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Availability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as appropriate.
• Ability to work calmly in a highly pressured environment.

Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with experience.  Please provide salary requirements with your application.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit resume and cover letter in a single Word or PDF document saved as candidate’s first and last name.  All submissions should be emailed to HR@THESHED.ORG with Curatorial Assistant in the subject line.  Only resumes and cover letters submitted in this format will be reviewed.  No phone calls, please.

The Shed is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to the goal of building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from minority candidates.