CURATORIAL ASSISTANT

(Temporary Part-Time, 3 days/week, May 28 – Sept 21)

 

SUMMARY:

The Curatorial Assistant assists the Senior Curator in the management and coordination of
exhibitions and other museum events. The Curatorial Assistant helps the Senior Curator
manage temporary exhibitions, permanent exhibitions, and loan exhibitions. He/she
manages the logistics of exhibitions, including arranging art shipments and handling loans
and condition reports for exhibitions. This position is a wonderful opportunity to work
closely with museum staff, the curatorial team (including the Senior Curator, Registrar, and
preparators), artists, and works of art. This position is temporary part-time (for 4
months) with the possibility of becoming permanent at the end of the 4 months.

 

Responsibilities:

  • Assists in the preparation of all exhibition related paperwork including loan agreements, incoming/outgoing object receipts, and condition reports
  • Manages all aspects of receiving and installing artwork, including shipping,
  • scheduling installations (in consultation with preparators and curator), and coordinating with preparators
  • Assists in coordination of exhibition timelines
  • Creates and maintains exhibition checklists
  • With the Curator, creates and maintains the exhibition installation schedule
  • Executes a variety of research related to services, vendors, and aspects of exhibitions and gathers estimates for exhibition-related activities
  • Oversees installation and de-installation of both temporary and permanent museum exhibitions, including planning and directing fabrication, installation, and disassembly of exhibitions. Helps ensure that exhibition installations happen on schedule. Works closely closely with 2-3 preparators/art handlers who install and de-install exhibitions and objects on permanent display. Involves some hands-on installation work, such as patching and painting walls and installing works of art.
  • With preparators, installs vinyl cut exhibition title and exhibition labels. Generates labels or works with graphic designer to create them.
  • Works closely with artists and preparators to address any installation and deinstallation issues in advance of installation periods and during installation as issues arise.
  • With preparators, assists the Registrar as needed with handling and storing works of art.
  • Occasional proofreading of wall text and labels
  • Deals with outside vendors for tasks, projects, and products related to exhibitions, including signage vendor and graphic designer
  • Assists with other curatorial tasks as needed
  • This is a temporary part-time position requires availability during normal business hours as well as occasional nights and weekends, when needed.

Qualifications and Skills:

  • A positive attitude
  • Works well under pressure and likes problem-solving
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team-environment
  • Flexibility
  • The ability to multitask and to plan out schedules and tasks in order to meet deadlines
  • Experience with Word and Excel; Experience with Photoshop is a plus
  • A willingness to learn
  • A genuine interest in art
  • Work may be performed indoors and outdoors throughout the campus
  • Position may require periods of walking, bending, stretching, climbing and enough physical strength to carry heavy works of art with others and smaller works unassisted
  • 1-2 years of museum or related experience
  • A valid driver’s license
  • B.A. or B.F.A. in art history, art, design, or liberal arts preferred; M.A. or M.F.A.
  • degree in art history or art or a related field is welcome

 

To Apply:

Please send resume or CV, cover letter, and 3 references to jobs@newportartmuseum.org.