Assistant Curator of Photography [Milwaukee Art Museum, WI]

Description

Under the direction of the Curator of Photography and Media Arts, the Assistant Curator will participate in a wide range of curatorial activity, with a particular focus on assisting the curator with overseeing the initiatives of the department of photography and digital media. This position is primarily responsible for managing the research and interpretation of a photography collection of 4,000 objects dating from the 19th century to the present.  Tasks include supporting the Curator in the development and management of exhibitions, organizing the installation of photographs in the permanent collection, writing labels and creating other didactic materials.

Requirements

Education/Experience Requirements: Possession of Master’s or PhD in Art History with major course work in the history of photography required.

Work Experience:  Two to three years’ museum experience, or equivalent.

Duties & Responsibilities:

–          Conducts scholarly collection research and cataloguing under the supervision of the Curator.

–          Assist the Curator with special exhibitions and accompanying catalogues including exhibition oversight; research; managing loans; writing educational didactics; press releases and grant proposals, etc.

–          Head and/or facilitate interdepartmental communication, working closely with exhibitions, registration, installation, conservation, education, marketing, development, publications, and graphic design departments.

–          Serve as project manager for collection database updates, including review and entry database research, approval of works for the public website.

–          Help research and document new acquisitions, including writing proposals, and entering information into collections database.

–          Conceive, propose and organize exhibitions from the permanent collection.

–          Act as support liaison to the Photography Council, including coordination of events and meetings.

–          Promote knowledge of the collection through writing, teaching and exhibitions including lectures and gallery talks to docents, visitors and special groups.

–          Act as a spokesperson for the department and the Museum.

–          Foster and maintain strong relationships with the community.

–          Hire, train, and supervise interns

Physical Requirements:

– Sit up to six hours per day

– Stand up to three hours per day

– Ability to handle original works of art with care.