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

Description

• Assistant Cataloguer

  Date:                          July 2016
  Department:             Program Administration

  Title:                           Assistant Cataloguer

  FSLA Status:              Non-Exempt

  Supervisor:               Collections Manager

  Schedule:                  Full-Time, One-Year Position

  The Position:

  The Jewish Museum is seeking an Assistant Cataloguer for a one-year position for a special collection project.  Under the supervision of the Collections Manager and part of the larger project team, the Assistant Cataloguer will work directly with objects in the collection to help assess their location, condition, and status for inclusion in a new exhibition. The collection is comprised of works of fine and decorative arts, ceremonial Judaica, archaeological artifacts, and new media. In a second phase of the project, the Assistant Cataloguer will conduct object research for final exhibition display and update the museum’s Collections Management Database, TMS.  The position requires demonstrated ability to catalogue objects and conduct art-historical research, resolute concentration, careful handling of art objects, attention to detail, and accuracy in data entry and proof-reading.

  Responsibilities Include:

  • Assess works in the permanent collection selected for exhibition to determine location of all components, conservation needs, photography and rights status, and research requirements.
  • Catalogue objects by examining and precisely measuring works; locating parts and accessories; recognizing materials and techniques; writing accurate condition reports; and identifying any signature, inscriptions, markings, and labels.
  • In consultation with Curators and Collections Manager, research museum records and other primary and secondary sources to establish accurate acquisition information, artist/maker’s biography, object date and titles, ex-collections/provenance, published references, and exhibition history.
  • Correspond with artists/makers, donors, dealers, vendors, auction houses, and galleries to ascertain or verify information about the object.
  • Create and update files and documentation for objects including archival object files, conservation reports, and historic records.
  • Updating the museum’s Collections Management Database, TMS, by adding and updating object information, tracking locations, updating exhibition history, labels, etc. Maintaining strict data-entry standards and absolute accuracy in TMS, which directly feeds the museum’s collection website.
  • Identify any problematic object records and help resolve numbering discrepancies.

  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.

Requirements

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or equivalent
• Demonstrated ability to catalogue objects and conduct art-historical research
• Strong research skills and familiarity with metadata and cataloguing standards
• Strong computer skills including working knowledge of TMS
• Art handling experience and preventive conservation knowledge required
• Knowledge of foreign language(s) helpful