Assistant Curator of Photography [High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA]

Description

Title:                     Assistant Curator of Photography

Department:        Curatorial

Reports To:          Keough Family Curator of Photography and Head of Collections

FLSA:                    Exempt

Employment Status: Limited Term (2 years)/Full Time

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for supporting the Keough Family Curator of Photography in overseeing the Department of Photography’s collection and initiatives, including assisting with acquisitions, exhibitions, publications, and special projects.

Work Schedule:

• Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Under the direction of the Keough Family Curator of Photography and Head of Collections, and in close collaboration with the Curatorial Assistant for Photography and Exhibitions:

• Provide expertise in the identification and acquisition of outstanding works of art for the collection
• Provide expertise in the presentation of the collection of photographs through exhibition, research, publication, and the web
• Support initiatives to tour the department’s exhibition projects
• Negotiate loans, prepare installation plans, develop and participate in educational programming, collaborate effectively with colleagues across the organization, give tours and talks, host portfolio reviews, draft grant proposals, write texts, and communicate effectively about projects to the staff, board, and public
• Create and maintain excellent donor relations, including work with the Friends of Photography support group and coordination of gifts
• Support access to and care of the collection through vault management, cataloguing, digitization initiatives, study room activities, and other duties as assigned
• Develop strong relationships with contacts in the art world, including professional colleagues, artists, estates, auction houses, and dealers
• Maintain departmental correspondence, assist with budgets, and attend meetings

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

Minimum of a Master’s degree in art history and 2-3 years of experience in a curatorial department.

Language Skills:

• Reading and speaking skills in one or more foreign language desirable.
• Must possess superior written and oral communication skills
• Ability to effectively present information to the museum staff, board of directors, donors, collectors, and other constituents
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals and other publications, catalogues and correspondence

Mathematical skills:

• Ability to develop and maintain departmental budgets
• Ability to present information in report form

Reasoning abilities:

•  Ability to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.
•  Ability to solve problems and prioritize needs in a variety of situations where decisions may be necessary

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Some standing, walking, bending, frequent use of hands, stooping and light lifting (at least 10 pounds) is needed.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Requirements