Curatorial Assistant at The Studio Museum in Harlem – Museum Studies

Job Title: Curatorial Assistant

Job Status: Full-time

Application Instructions:

The position is open until filled. Please send a resume, cover letter, and professional writing sample to jobs@studiomuseum.org. Please include Curatorial Assistant in the subject line of your email. No phone calls or faxes, please.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this JD describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Studio Museum in Harlem is seeking a Curatorial Assistant to join the growing Curatorial department responsible for the Museum’s collections and exhibition program. This position, reporting to the Associate Curator, Permanent Collection, will support research and administrative needs for the department, focused primarily on preparation for reinstallation in the Museum’s new building. The Curatorial Assistant will work closely with colleagues on archives- and collections-related research, exhibition planning and administration, and collection maintenance and stewardship. The position requires a candidate equipped to think broadly and innovatively about the Museum’s artist-centered mission, while also independently managing a wide range of administrative responsibilities.

ABOUT STUDIO MUSEUM

Founded in 1968, The Studio Museum in Harlem is the nexus for artists of African descent locally, nationally, and internationally and for work that has been inspired and influenced by Black culture. It is a site for the dynamic exchange of ideas about art and society. Currently, the Studio Museum is undergoing construction on a new facility, designed by Sir David Adjaye OBE (Adjaye Associates) in collaboration with Cooper Robertson. The new building will provide the custom-built and expanded facilities, enriched visitor experience, and strong architectural presence appropriate to a premier center for contemporary artists of African descent, the principal visual art institution in Harlem and a magnet for visitors from around the world.

Responsibilities

· Work closely with Curatorial team on: exhibition research and administration, including preparing loan requests, assisting in the preparation of checklists and didactic materials, and liaising with other departments on installation, catalogue production, etc.;

· Reviewing, cataloguing, and conditioning works of art; administration around acquisitions to the collections; and maintenance of the collections and their related files.

· Coordinate scheduling, communications, and logistics around the preparations toward the exhibitions in the Museum’s new building.

· Research and write about artists, works of art, and archival materials and assets.

· Catalogue exhibitions and aspects of the collections’ inventory in TMS Collections and NetX, including objects, constituents, loans, appraisals, and exhibition history, working closely with the Collections Database Manager.

· Answer queries from both the general public and scholars.

· Manage communications across departments.

· Provide support for general departmental administration, including scheduling, invoicing, and co-managing interns.

Assist with other projects as assigned.

Qualifications

· Strong background in mid-twentieth century and contemporary art by artists of African descent

· Familiarity with The Museum System (TMS/TMS Collections), NetX, and Raiser’s Edge

· Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud

· Experience working in a museum or cultural organization

· Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Required

· Strong background in mid-twentieth century and contemporary art by artists of African descent

· Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Art History or a related field

· Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud

· Experience working in a museum or cultural organization

Desirable:

· Knowledge of museum standards and practices of registration, art handling, conservation, and collections storage requirements and procedures.

Studio Museum in Harlem is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, gender identification, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or political affiliation. We celebrate our inclusive work environment and encourage folks of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply. At Studio Museum in Harlem, we are committed to having an inclusive and transparent environment where every voice is heard and acknowledged. We embrace our differences, and know that our diverse team is a strength that drives our success.

The Studio Museum is requiring proof of Covid-19 vaccination for employment. In order to be eligible, participants must show proof of vaccination and a form of personal ID.