Assistant Curator position at MoMA PS1
Job Title: Assistant Curator
Job Status: Full-time
About MoMA PS1
PS1 was born out of New York’s alternative space movement in the 1970s, transforming an abandoned nineteenth Century schoolhouse in Long Island City, Western Queens, into a space for artists and their collaborators to generate ideas and present work.
Located in what was once an industrial enclave, the institution has now become a creative landmark in the fastest growing residential neighborhood in the country. Continuously responsive to the potential for collective impact, in 1976 PS1 was registered as an independent non-profit in a City-owned building. In 1982 it became the first Cultural Institutions Group (CIG) that focused on contemporary art as part of NYC’s Department of Cultural Affairs. Then, in 2000 PS1 also established an affiliation with the Museum of Modern Art and in 2010 it became known as MoMA PS1.
In 2021-22 we have a budget of approximately $8MM and are a team of around 50, led by an independent Board of Directors. Working with an evolving constellation of practitioners, neighbors, and partners, we are committed to the critical work of diversity, access, and inclusion. It is through these lenses that we examine and build our programs, relationships, and organizational culture. We champion how artists are at the intersection of the social, cultural, and political issues of their time. We center equity in how we work and what we do.
We recognize that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements listed on this job description, but may not meet 100% of the qualifications. If much of this job description describes you, we encourage you to apply for this role.
Summary
MoMA PS1 is seeking an energetic Assistant Curator to work closely with the Curator and collaborate with the Curatorial team and Director to conceive and deliver PS1’s dynamic program. Encompassing exhibitions, performances, activations, community engagement, and residencies, as well as strategic partnerships and discursive and educational projects, the interdisciplinary program is renowned for championing emerging and under-recognized voices. Within this context, we are seeking someone who is a committed collaborator and team player with a strong track record of working closely with artists and collectives to commission work, particularly in the expanded realm of public and digital art. Thriving in a fast-paced, creative environment, the Assistant Curator will also be experienced in exhibition-making, passionate about community engagement, and have a strong inclination toward research and the contextualization of experimental practices.
Supervision
The Assistant Curator reports to PS1’s Curator.
The position works closely with two other Assistant Curators and one Associate Curator-at-Large, as well as with the Program Production, Communications, Development, Visitor Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, Finance, and Operations teams to realize initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Works with the Curator and Curatorial team to conceptualize and realize a strategic, multidisciplinary, institution-wide program on-site, in the neighborhood, and online.
- Proposes, develops, and executes select PS1 commissions and special projects, cultivating sustained engagements with artists and community partners and diversifying PS1’s audience and reach.
- Assists and supports exhibitions and community allyship programs.
- Conducts research to contextualize PS1’s program.
- Writes, edits, and assists in the production of program-related materials, including outreach materials, items for publications, and those required for fundraising, communication, and internal functions.
- Functions as a liaison with artists and organizations related to programming, as well as external partners, organizations, and interdepartmentally within PS1.
- Manages interns and support staff involved in the production of commissions and projects.
- Actively promotes and nurtures strong interdepartmental working relationships between Curatorial, Program Production, Development, Communications, Visitor Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, and Operations staff at both PS1 and at The Museum of Modern Art.
- Coordinates photographic documentation of programs.
- Creates and maintains archives as related to programs.
- Keeps informed of current activities in contemporary art and practice through sustained research, gallery and museum visits, publications, etc. and makes recommendations to senior staff.
- Any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.
Experience
- Broad knowledge of emerging and underrepresented contemporary art in local, national, and international contexts.
- Demonstrated experience of commissioning new work from concept to presentation.
- Proven expertise in program planning, managing people, and budgets; research capabilities; fundraising and donor cultivation.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- High degree of organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects in various stages of development.
- Demonstrated ability to proactively prioritize and manage time, juggle multiple duties and tasks, and meet deadlines.
- Sufficient flexibility in management style to understand and work effectively with highly skilled staff across the institution.
- Ability to maintain a professional and positive attitude in a fast-paced environment.
- Desire to work in an organization that is in transformation and which places strong emphasis on teamwork.
- Exceptional judgment, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive situations and matters.
To Apply: