Curatorial Assistant [The Jewish Museum, New York, NY]

Description

The Position:

The Curatorial Assistant assists with assigned exhibitions, acquisitions and other tasks in the Department of Curatorial Affairs. He or she works with in-house curators and guest curators on exhibitions organized by the Jewish Museum; assists curators with acquisitions for the collection and assists with the coordination of exhibitions borrowed from other institutions. The Curatorial Assistant reports directly to the Deputy Director, Exhibitions and Public Programs and works closely other museum curators and staff.

Responsibilities Include:

EXHIBITIONS, ACQUISITIONS AND COLLECTIONS

• Develop and research initial exhibition concepts and ideas for acquisitions; conduct research on individual artists, movements and works of art, as well as more historical research.
• Prepare preliminary exhibition checklists; draft correspondence; research and locate objects for exhibitions and acquisitions; process loan requests and agreements; prepare presentations; and provide support for the curators in maintaining effective relationships with lenders.
• Draft and edit text for catalogues, brochures and exhibitions, including text panels, labels, essays, catalogue entries.
• Liaison with artists and colleagues to develop sustainable and symbiotic relationships that will propel the museum’s reputation and image.
• Assist guest curators, exhibition and graphic designers and other consultants by providing them with information as directed by the curators.
• Provide information to the registrars and exhibitions manager as requested; work as a team with staff in education, digital media, marketing, visitor services, operations, communications and development to ensure that strategies for interpretation, promotion, audience development and fundraising have required information.
• Work with curatorial staff on agenda’s for acquisition committee meetings.
• Assist with the organization of exhibition affiliated public programming.
• Assist curators in docent training, including walkthroughs and slide-lectures in consultation with education department.
• Assist with travelling exhibitions; help prepare budget, materials, and instructions for exhibitions and objects to travel.
• Review proposals from donors or vendors for gifts/purchases of works of art.
• Assist collections manager in cataloging of new acquisitions including research as necessary.

ADMINISTRATION

• Interview and supervise interns and temporary employees–assign tasks and schedules, and monitor work plans.
• Process payments and assist in the preparation of fiscal year budgets and overall project budget.
• Monitor exhibition and acquisition budgets and endowed funds for conservation and acquisitions.
• Contribute to planning and agenda’s for regular department staff meetings.

OTHER DUTIES (20%)

• Perform administrative functions in connection with daily museum and departmental business.
• Participate in the work of museum committees as assigned.
• Contribute to planning and agenda’s for regular department staff meetings.

Requirements

Requirements:

• B.A. or M.A. degree in art history, museum management or administration or related humanities field.
• Professional/administrative experience in the form of temporary assignments/internships of one-two years.
• Broad knowledge of contemporary art, art history and interest in Jewish history and culture.
• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of German, French, Spanish or Hebrew language a plus.
• Computer and digital media literacy.

Send Resume with Cover Letter To:

Director of Human Resources

The Jewish Museum

1109 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10128

Email: jobs@thejm.org

Fax: 212.423.3232

The Jewish Museum is an Equal Opportunity Employer.