Curatorial Assistant

Reporting to the Senior Curator and Head of New Initiatives, the Curatorial Assistant is responsible for performing research and project management-oriented duties in support of exhibitions, publications, acquisitions, and other projects. Duties include performing general art historical research, maintaining exhibition files and collection database (The Museum System), drafting correspondence and other texts, responding to inquiries, and serving as liaison to other Museum departments, museums, galleries, collectors, artists, and trustees. Curatorial Assistant may also be tasked with organizing smaller exhibitions.

Requirements:

• Knowledge of contemporary art
• Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills
• Ability to perform art historical research and to effectively manage exhibition projects
• Must be a team player who is willing to support the curatorial department in a variety of tasks related to exhibitions, acquisitions, collection management, and other curatorial duties
• Ability to use Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop and The Museum System (TMS) database preferred
• A minimum of two years experience working in a museum, gallery, or art-related position
• B.A. in art, art history, or similar field (M.A. preferred)

Essential Functions:

• Assist Curators with all aspects of exhibition organization including locating potential loans, loan correspondence, data entry, image scanning, generating checklists and other reports, compiling installation requirements and restrictions, tracking actual expenses in exhibition budget forms, arranging installation photo documentation, providing materials and information for traveling exhibitions. Adheres to exhibition planning process timelines.
• Assist Curators with exhibition-related publications by locating images, securing copyright permissions, compiling research as directed, fact checking texts and back matter, mailing catalogues to photo and object lenders. Assist Curators with exhibition-related didactics including object label copy and wall texts.
• Assist Curators with being on time and on budget for all exhibitions.
• Prepare Acquisitions Reports and PowerPoint presentations for potential Permanent Collection objects; provide information to Registrars, work with donors and galleries as needed.
• Develop and maintain working relationships and appropriately represent the Museum to outside organizations, collectors, trustees, and artists.
• Assist Curators with scheduling meetings, making travel arrangements, processing invoices, reconciling credit card and other expenses, and other administrative duties as assigned.
• In select instances, organize modest exhibitions from the permanent collection; choose objects for the checklist; prepare didactic materials; speak publically about the exhibition; give tours as needed.
• Assist Curators with all aspects of special projects and new initiatives, ranging from research and development to project management.

Physical Demands:

While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent must be able to do the following:

• Sit for extended periods; bend and reach for filing and other job-related functions; climb up and down stairs; bend, stoop, and lift to move and retrieve materials; pull, push, and lift; reach both above and below shoulder height.
• Specific visual abilities include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to visually inspect work.
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer and other office equipment required. Heavy usage of computers and phones required.

The physical demands described above 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.

Application

Please submit your resume and cover letter to hr@moca.org.