Curatorial Assistant, Media and Performance

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for a Curatorial Assistant to provide support for performances and exhibitions in The Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Studio with a focus on artistic practices across media and performance from the 1960s onwards, as well as other performances, exhibitions, and acquisitions to the collection. Works with colleagues across the Museum and with external colleagues to provide preparatory assistance and logistical support that ensures that performances, 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.
• Assists curators with logistical and conceptual preparation for performance programing as well as exhibitions and performance in The Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Studio, including scholarly research and writing on subjects including artists, historical periods, social contexts, theoretical keywords, specific artworks, locations of artworks, photograph sources, etc.
• Supports research and preparation for publications, acquisitions, online content, collections records, bibliographic and biographical records and files, departmental committee meetings, loans, and general curatorial inquiries.
• 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.
• Supports the presentation of performance on moma.org, including working with Digital Media to host footage from previous performance programs, and delivers online content including posts on Magazine, Video Views, and Modern Mondays
• Communicates closely with living artists and collaborators to support the selection, contextualization and display of artworks, performances, and artist projects.
• Researches, catalogs, and archives the Department’s potential acquisitions, collection, and program activities under senior staff supervision and answers related inquiries from the public and scholars with regard to such information.
• 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.
• 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.
• Fully vaccinated with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and/or the World Health Organization authorized vaccine (or approved for an exemption as a reasonable accommodation due to a qualified disability or sincerely held religious belief or other legal basis).