Museum Instructor/Curatorial Assistant, American Art and Arts of the Americas

Institution: Brooklyn Museum
Location: New York, USA
Salary: $51,034
Contract: Full-time
Hours: 35 hours per week (Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm; occasional evenings/weekends)
Department: Curatorial, Arts of the Americas and Europe
Reporting to: Curator of American Art

About the role

The Curatorial Assistant, American Art and Arts of the Americas supports collection and exhibition-related projects across the American Art, Arts of the Americas, and Indigenous Art collections. The role involves administrative coordination, research, and writing, working closely with curators and internal and external stakeholders across the Arts of the Americas and Europe Curatorial department.

Responsibilities

Provide general administrative support for the department and curators
Act as a primary point of contact for collection- and exhibition-related projects and inquiries
Maintain departmental files and TMS records relating to objects, artists, and exhibitions
Organise and support collection visits for researchers, school groups, donors, and the public
Assist with exhibitions, rotations, activations, and reinstallations, including:
- Supporting proposal development and exhibition concepts
- Compiling and maintaining exhibition checklists (schedules, installation plans, framing, media components)
- Conducting subject-specific research
- Drafting acquisition or deaccession justifications
- Writing exhibition didactics, labels, and texts
Lead and support research projects related to collections, loans, acquisitions, and deaccessions
Deliver collection and exhibition tours as requested
Collaborate across departments including Conservation, Education, Visitor Experience, Exhibitions, Editorial, Graphic Design, Development, and Registrar
Contribute to social media content about works in the collection
Support visits to potential donors and lenders with curators
Undertake additional duties as required

Preferred skills

Familiarity with collection databases such as The Museum System (TMS)
Knowledge of American Art, Arts of the Americas, or Indigenous Art
Foreign language skills

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in art history, museum studies, visual culture, or a related field, or 2–3 years of relevant experience
Strong organisational skills with high attention to detail
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Experience working collaboratively
Background in scholarly research and writing
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and standard administrative tools

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
401(k) savings plan and pension plan
Generous paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and 13 holidays
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Employee Assistance Program
Free admission to NYC museums and cultural institutions
Early access to exhibitions and staff programmes
Discounts: 40% in museum shops, 20% at museum café
Hybrid schedule available (3 days on-site / 2 remote, where applicable)

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