DATE: April 2013
DEPARTMENT: Curatorial/Program Division
TITLE: Assistant Curator
SCHEDULE: Full time
REPORTS TO: Deputy Director for Exhibitions and Public Programs
FLSA: Exempt
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Assistant Curator works under the direction of the Deputy Director of Exhibitions and
Public Programs. Assistant Curators are charged with bringing creative and innovative ideas
for temporary exhibitions, collection-based exhibitions, acquisitions and public programs to
the table. Assistant Curators will develop and maintain excellent relationships with artists,
designers, scholars, collectors and curatorial colleagues in institutions both nationally and
internationally as well as other thought leaders in the field and will work with staff to
establish The Jewish Museum as an institution engaged with contemporary and vanguard
developments in curatorial practice. Responsibilities include contributing ideas for
exhibitions and acquisitions; proposing and organizing temporary exhibitions (including
those drawn from the Museum’s collection and borrowed exhibitions), contributing to the
interpretation, affiliated public programming and design of exhibitions, supervising
assistants and interns, managing administrative responsibilities, contributing to the
cultivation and stewardship of patrons and donors and working as a member of interdepartmental teams to realize institutional goals.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (80%):
EXHIBITIONS, ACQUISITIONS AND COLLECTIONS
 Develop and research initial exhibition concepts and ideas for acquisitions; conduct
research on individual artists, movements and works of art, as well as more historical
research—vet with staff and outside consultants/scholars as necessary. Make studio and
gallery visits
 Work with curatorial staff to determine collecting priorities and agenda’s for
acquisition committee meetings, assist with stewardship and external activities for
acquisition committee members
 Propose, and assist with the organization of, exhibition and collection affiliated public
programming Work as a team with staff in education, digital media, marketing, visitor services,
operations, communications and development to ensure that strategies for interpretation,
promotion, audience development and fundraising develop in symbiotic partnerships
 Prepare preliminary exhibition checklists; research and locate objects for exhibitions and
acquisitions; secure loans and maintain effective relationships with lenders
 Write and edit text for catalogues, brochures and exhibitions, including text panels,
labels, essays, catalogue entries
 Work with artists and colleagues to develop sustainable and symbiotic relationships that
will propel the museum’s reputation and image
 Work with and provide direction to guest curators, exhibition designers, catalogue
and brochure production, editors, photographers, etc;
 Liaison with communications and marketing to develop strategies for promoting and
developing audiences for exhibitions and collections
 Train docents, including walkthroughs and slide-lectures in consultation with education
department
 Arrange for exhibitions to travel; help prepare budget, materials, and instructions for
exhibitions and objects to travel
 Review proposals from donors or vendors for gifts/purchases of works of art
 Draft complex correspondence related to fundraising for exhibitions and acquisitions
and soliciting major gifts
 Assist in formulation of collections policy and collecting priorities
 Coordinate deaccession process in consultation with collection manager
 Assist collections manager in supervising cataloging of permanent collection; do
research as necessary
 Schedule conservation evaluations and arrange for framing and conservation of works in
permanent collection in consultation with Collection Manager
ADMINISTRATION
 Interview and supervise project assistants, administrative assistants, interns and
temporary employees–assign tasks and schedules, and monitor work plans
 Develop and monitor exhibition and acquisition budgets, and endowed funds for
conservation and acquisitions
 Contribute to planning and agenda’s for regular department staff meetings
 Assist in departmental and curatorial planning
 Participate in the work of museum committees as assigned
OTHER DUTIES (20%)
 Perform administrative functions in connection with daily museum and departmental
business.
 Contribute to planning and agenda’s for regular department staff meetings
 Assist in departmental and curatorial planning
 Participate in the work of museum committees as assigned
 Contribute to planning and agenda’s for regular department staff meetings
 Assist in departmental and curatorial planning
 Participate in the work of museum committees as assignedQUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
 M.A. degree in art history
 Minimum three to five years experience in responsible curatorial positions including
significant work on exhibitions and publications
 Broad knowledge of contemporary art, art history and interest in Jewish history and
culture
 Knowledge of art materials and techniques
 Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills, and interpersonal
skills
 Ability to work independently and to take initiative
 Knowledge of German, French, Spanish or Hebrew languages a plus
 Computer and digital media literacy
Send Resume with Cover Letter To:
Director Human Resources
The Jewish Museum
1109 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10128
Email: Jobs@TheJM.org
Fax: 212-423-3232
The Jewish Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.