Jobs | The Whitney Museum Seeks Assistant Curator and Curatorial Assistant to the Chief Curator

Though we had some rough words for the Whitney Museum of American Art this week, that was only in regard to their attitudes about ceramic art. We encourage our readers to dust off their resumes and apply to these two jobs. Who knows? Maybe you can change the Whitney’s culture from within! Please visit their page for more information.

1). Assistant Curator

A newly created position is available for an assistant curator reporting directly to both the Deputy Director for Programs and Nancy and Steve Crown Family Chief Curator and the Curator of the Permanent Collection.

This position reflects the growth of the Museum’s temporary exhibition program and the expanded role of the collection, following the opening of its new facility downtown.

Responsibilities:

– Support and help advance special projects and initiatives of the chief curator, including scholarly research and consultation on temporary exhibitions and publications, as well as independent writing and focused curatorial opportunities depending on experience

– Under the direction of the curator of the permanent collection, contribute to all aspects of the collection’s development and administration, including conceptualization of and planning for exhibition displays and traveling exhibitions; acquisitions across media; loans; extensive research; writing didactic texts; growth of the online collection; presentations and reports; budget management; supervision of curatorial assistants and interns; and other relevant duties

– Work closely with other curatorial staff and departments in the museum, as well as external contacts

Requirements:

– M.A. in art history with specialized knowledge of twentieth-century art

– Five years of museum and exhibition experience, preferably including permanent collection work

– Demonstrated organizational skills and strong initiative

– Excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills

– Collaborative spirit

– Experience with TMS, Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint

When submitting an application please include your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements, and write “Assistant Curator” in the subject line.

2). Curatorial Assistant to the Chief Curator

A full-time curatorial assistant position, reporting directly to the Deputy Director for Programs and Nancy and Steve Crown Family Chief Curator, is available.

The primary role of the incumbent is to provide daily administrative support to the chief curator, as well as assist with his curatorial projects and tasks. The incumbent will join the Whitney during a historic moment, as the Museum begins the first year in its new location downtown.

Responsibilities:

– A range of administrative duties, including management of the chief curator’s calendar; record-keeping; correspondence and communication with artists, trustees, donors, galleries, etc.; organizing departmental and institutional meetings; liaising with other museum departments, such as conservation, registration, and development

– Work closely with the director of curatorial affairs and a senior curatorial assistant, helping to manage the day-to-day of the curatorial department, and supervise one or more interns

– Curatorial tasks include assisting with the planning and installation of exhibitions (object research, loan forms, checklists, and didactic materials), the compilation of publications (obtaining images, reproduction permissions, and assembling back matter) and preparing acquisition proposals

Requirements:

– B.A. (art history or fine art)

– Conversant in modern and contemporary art

– At least two years of museum experience or equivalent in related field

– Strong computer skills, including experience with TMS, Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint

– Comprehensive knowledge of office practices and procedures

– Excellent organizational ability and attention to detail

– Strong verbal communication and diplomatic manner

– Strong writing and research skills

– Ability to handle several projects simultaneously, maintain schedules, and meet tight deadlines

– Strong teamwork skills are crucial

When submitting an application please include your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements, and write “Curatorial Assistant, Chief Curator” in the subject line.

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