Posted: October 20, 2014

The Assistant Curator will be responsible for the day to day activities of the American Decorative Art collections, and will work with the painting and sculpture curators on the presentation of American Art.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

With Curator, selects, organizes and implements in-house loan exhibitions generated by the department or other institutions.  Researches and writes for accompanying catalogs.  Develops ideas of in-house traveling exhibitions.  Performs research, selects artwork, prepares budgets, writes didactic materials and oversees installation of same.

Responsible for the continuing documentation of the painting and sculpture collection.  Keeps abreast of market activities and current scholarship.  Works with dealers and auction houses to recommend new acquisitions.  Assesses the permanent collection and recommends acquisitions in areas of expertise.

Performs art historical research and scholarly writing for exhibition catalogs and permanent collection publications.  Responsible for writing didactic wall labels and panels for permanent collection objects on view, and coordinating all labels with the Education and Publications departments.

Researches and writes on permanent collection for scholarly publications, including exhibition catalogs, art historical journals, MUSEUM STUDIES, press releases, audio tours, News and Events.  Recommends outside authors to Publications department.  Coordinates outside authors with departments of Conservation and Publications.

Lectures on the permanent collection and special exhibitions to museum support groups, educators, and general public. Acts as curatorial escort for support groups as needed.  Teaches in field of expertise when department schedule permits.

Serves as liaison to the Education department for docent, teacher and lecturer training.  Works with Education department in developing lectures and symposia in conjunction with exhibitions.

Writes grant proposals for Foundations and Government Relations department, and other applications for exhibitions, publications and special projects.

Performs research and writes justifications for Committee on American Arts acquisitions meetings.  Assists the Curator in the presentation of works to the Advisory Committee, Director, and Board of Trustees.

Recruits and interviews student interns and volunteers.  Assigns projects and supervises daily activities of same.

Answers correspondence from scholars, curators, dealers, collectors and the general public.

Travels to perform research and to escort works of art from the permanent collection.

Represents the department to outside groups, scholars, curators and general public.  Acts as department spokesperson for mass media.

Job Requirements

A SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE an M.A. in Art History (Ph.D. preferred).  Minimum of 2 years museum (or related) experience. A record of scholarly publications in the field of American Decorative Arts.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Up-to-date knowledge and active participation in academic discourse in area of specialty.
The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce.

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