Curatorial Associate, Painting and Sculpture of Europe

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Under the direction of the chair, the curatorial associate supports the organization of departmental exhibitions, collection rotations, gallery reinstallations, and projects; provides administrative, curatorial, collection, and research support to the chair and curators; and conducts art historical and art market research about and related to works in the permanent collection, loans, and acquisitions. The curatorial associate composes interpretive content, website content, updates museum database records for publication to the website, and provides occasional administrative assistance to the chair.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Curatorial support: Under the direction of the chair, assists and participates in all aspects of the development, organization, and implementation of exhibitions, rotations, reinstallations, and projects as assigned. Serves as curatorial point-person on assigned projects and occasionally serves as an exhibition or project co-organizer with a curator. Supports the preparation of materials for advisory committee meetings.

Research: Assists with research for exhibitions, loans, acquisitions, and gifts. May be asked to investigate ownership, publication, and exhibition histories for objects in the permanent collection and to write acquisition justifications, interpretive content, and exhibition-related materials. Conducts art historical and art market research about and related to objects in the permanent collection, loans, and potential acquisitions.

Collection database and website support: Participates in departmental efforts to maintain object records and files, update records and files with comprehensive information, and publish records online.

Stewardship: Supports departmental relationships with galleries, dealers, collectors, lenders, donors, peers, and committee members. Assists with related fundraising activities as directed.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; master’s degree or equivalent experience preferred
• Degree in art history or related subject preferred
• For associates, minimum of two years of relevant experience preferred; for assistants, some relevant experience preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google suites required; ability to learn museum-specific collection database systems
• Familiarity with or specialization in departmental field preferred
• Knowledge of foreign languages as appropriate to areas of specialty preferred
• The successful candidate should:

-be highly detail-oriented and organized;

-demonstrate initiative;

-embrace the museum’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution;

-have an open-minded and collaborative approach to working and communicating with all colleagues across the museum;

-and have strong research, writing, communication, multitasking, project management, and organizational skills.