Position summary:
The Media and Performance Department at The Museum of Modern Art seeks a dynamic team member to support an upcoming cross-media exhibition with a focus on artists of African descent as well as other exhibitions and acquisitions to the collection. The curatorial assistant will work with colleagues across the Museum and with external colleagues to provide preparatory assistance and logistical support that ensures that exhibitions, collection care, programs, department operations and other daily functions are smoothly executed.
Responsibilities:
• Assists senior curatorial staff in all areas of their responsibilities, including administrative work, e.g., taking detailed minutes of meetings, preparing presentations, drafting interoffice and extra-institutional communications, scheduling meetings, etc. Supports research and preparation for exhibitions, performances, publications, acquisitions, online content, collections records, bibliographic and biographical records and files, departmental committee meetings, loans, and general curatorial inquiries.
• Assists with preparation of exhibitions and performances, including scholarly research and writing on subjects including artists, historical periods, social contexts, theoretical keywords, specific artworks, locations of artworks, photograph sources, etc. Assists with arranging loans; catalog preparation; preparation of exhibition checklists in CEMS and related platforms; determining tech specifications for media and performance works; developing video, audio and text assets for digital use; and coordinating and scheduling prep work to be done within the Museum and without in areas such as interpretive materials, conservation, photography, matting, framing, construction, lighting, etc. Assists with the preparation and installation of wall labels, publication texts images rights and other materials as assigned.
• Communicates closely with living artists and collaborators to support the selection, contextualization and display of artworks, performances, and artist projects.
• Conducts daily inspection of works on view in the collection galleries and in temporary exhibitions and assists in necessary follow-up arrangements. Works directly with artists and production team on live performances. Answers inquiries and conducts some gallery tours as necessary for visitors, etc.
• Researches, catalogs, and archives the Department’s collection and program activities under senior staff supervision and answers related inquiries from the public and scholars with regard to such information.
• Works with curatorial interns and other titles as assigned.
• Keeps informed of current artistic and exhibition activities related to local, national and international media and performance by visiting galleries and museums, reading publications, conducting artist studio visits, etc., and conveys perspectives and observations to the senior staff.
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.
Requirements:
• Master’s degree in art history, or a comparable academic field, relevant work experience and competence within the history of media and performance.
• Experience supporting the presentation of live and time-based work as well as resourcefulness in collaborating with living artists.
• Sufficient flexibility and high level of enthusiasm to work as part of a curatorial team as well as openness to feedback and curiosity for learning and mentorship from colleagues.
• Digital fluency and experience conceptualizing and delivering online projects.
• Excellent research, writing, and organizational skills, as well as ability to effectively communicate interpersonally across multiple departments, constituencies and audiences.
• Exceptional attention to detail, professionalism and discretion in handling sensitive situations and matters.
• Ability to prioritize across a fast-paced work environment and manage more than one project at a time while completing assignments on deadline.
• Facility with critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Working knowledge of standard office technology, procedures and equipment.
• Reading knowledge and verbal fluency in one language other than English.
Reports to: Curator, Media and Performance and other senior curatorial titles as assigned
