Curatorial Assistant – Modern & Contemporary [Denver Art Museum]

This is an administrative support position assisting the associate curator of contemporary art in:

• maintaining all documentation associated with the permanent collection of contemporary art
• assisting with the preparation of temporary exhibitions of contemporary art
• serving as a departmental staff liaison
• responding to inquiries regarding the collection and related topics,
• handling administrative aspects of preparing installations and exhibitions
• serving as a staff liaison to the department’s support group
• preparing website updates and blog entries
• undertaking provenance research

• Work as a team with curatorial and other museum staff, donors, and the general public
• Work seamlessly with the curatorial assistant for modern art in the Modern & Contemporary Art Department
• Maintain organization within the office, including prioritization of incoming inquiries and ongoing projects
• Prepare, research, process, and maintain all records and paperwork for the permanent collection of contemporary art, including acquisition and deaccession forms, loan forms, annual acquisitions listings, photography, object files, image rights, and electronic database
• Maintain departmental files, including but not limited to object, artist, budget, and project files
• Maintain departmental, acquisitions, and support budgets and reconcile with Accounting Department records in a timely manner
• Maintain correspondence; edit, format, distribute, log and file; route inquiries to proper parties
• Respond to phone inquiries and direct calls to appropriate party
• Compile checklist information for contemporary exhibitions and gallery rotations
• Assist in preparing and producing object labels. Work with curator and master teacher on production of interpretative texts for exhibition installations and the permanent collection. Maintain and change labels as needed
• Coordinate shipping and conservation arrangements for incoming and outgoing loans with registrar, conservator, and with other institutions
• Assist curator in preparation and coordination of lectures and publications
• Assist with the creation and coordination of departmental publications, press materials, and written information pertaining to the contemporary collection
• Assist curator in troubleshooting computer operations
• Assist visiting scholars with access to the collection

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Strong organizational, writing, editing, research, record-keeping, accounting, and administrative skills; experience with interdepartmental planning and coordination
• High level of attention to detail, ensuring correct documentation at all levels, with ability to cross-check and verify documentation from sources within and outside the Denver Art Museum.
• Ability to work without immediate supervision and review of work-product
• Ability to track status of multiple projects and to see projects to conclusion
• Knowledge of museum procedures for receiving shipments, processing acquisitions, deaccessioning, cataloguing art objects, payment of invoices, etc.
• Knowledge of museum procedures for art handling
• Computer skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, ARGUS or other collection databases
• Knowledge of contemporary art and its history
• Knowledge of current events, galleries, and museums within the international contemporary art field
• Knowledge of a foreign language related to the department’s holdings desirable

Other Duties/Responsibilities

• Order subscriptions, publications, and supplies
• Coordinate events and fundraisers
• Serve as staff liaison for department supporters and artists as needed and as defined by supervisor
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested

Note:  This position does not promote to a curatorial track position

• MA in Art History, Museum Studies or relevant field preferred, BA considered

• Prior curatorial or collections experience in a museum, archive, or library is desirable

Material and Equipment Directly Used

• Computer: see programs above
• ARGUS electronic collection inventory system
• Copy and fax machine
• Digital camera
• Digital scanner for various formats of paper documentation (e.g., catalog cards, photos, archival museum documents)

 Working Environment/Physical Activities

• Sitting, working with hands, working with fingers, talking, hearing, vision
• Occasional extended periods on feet in storage or gallery
• Some lifting and moving, climbing ladders
• Subject to many interruptions, multitasking with personnel, telephone, and email
• Subject to irregular hours with occasional weekend and evening work
• Mental demands: written and oral comprehension, critical thinking, spatial orientation, memorization, mathematical reasoning

Note:  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

This is a full-time position with benefits.  Posting closes on October 25, 2013. If you are interested in this position, please email your cover letter and resume to:hrcoordinator@denverartmuseum.org  In the subject line of your email, please list your name first followed by the position you are interested in obtaining.

It is the policy of the Denver Art Museum to prohibit discrimination against any person or organization based on age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, gender, veteran status, political service, affiliation or disability.