(Temp) Museum Specialist at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

 

OVERVIEW
The purpose of this position is to provide support on a full range of curatorial responsibilities that includes scholarly research, exhibition and website planning/production, programmatic support, public service, and administrative duties to assist in the planning, organizing, documenting, and displaying of works by the American artist Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900), at CHSDM and online. This position reports to the Associate Curator and Head of Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design. Still, the incumbent works closely and collaboratively with colleague across Curatorial (including Conservation, Exhibitions and Registrar) and those in the Learning, Cross-Platform Publishing, and Digital and Emerging Media departments. The incumbent will be invited and expected to attend departmental and cross-departmental meetings that are part of the normal workflow for exhibition planning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Exhibitions:
Participates in a multidisciplinary approach to exhibitions, working collaboratively with the various departments to support and contribute to content development that addresses the museum’s goal of optimizing the visitor’s engagement and experience. Works with assigned curators on all aspects of scholarly research, planning, writing, execution, and installation of exhibitions, including attending exhibition production meetings, liaising with curator(s), creating object checklists, supplying/editing didactic information such as object labels and exhibition texts, coordinating audiovisual components, gathering content for the digital exhibition platform, and more. Conducts original library and web-based research related to exhibition themes and designers. Responsible for independently reading Italian, German or French to perform research and other exhibition duties. Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills in working with the curatorial team, with co-curators (designers, artists, and internal and external curators), and with Exhibitions, Registrar, Conservation, Cross-Platform Publication, Digital and Emerging Media, Communication, and Finance department team members, as well as with outside contractors/vendors to support the successful exhibition preparation and execution within the allotted schedule. Works with lenders, contemporary artists, and designers participating in exhibitions and maintains professional and timely correspondence with these constituents. Works on aspects related to exhibition travel, if pertinent. Provide administrative support for exhibition related events, including exhibition tours, meetings, and presentations.

Research and Publications:
Conducts scholarly research of Frederic Edwin Church in support of exhibitions. Proposes and writes appropriate articles for CHSDM online and print publications based on original research as requested. Attends meetings with curators and the Cross-Platform Publishing department. Creates image checklist, oversees/supervises photography as needed, prepares captions/texts as assigned, and liaises with publications as required. Coordinates with Cross-Platform Publishing departments on the schedule of the exhibition catalog and generates POs and paperwork as needed for the exhibition and catalog. Makes an effort to keep information about exhibitions, especially related to design in the New York area, through gallery and museum visits, publications, etc., and conveys observations to curators. Responsible for independently reading Italian, German, or French to perform research and publication-related duties.

Exhibitions Management:
Assists curator(s) in preparation of loan paperwork. Assists with the presentations, including research as necessary. Maintains, updates, and reconciles collection and exhibition records using TMS software in collaboration with the Registrar and updates department files as required. Liaises with departmental curators, registrars, conservators, and lenders on conservation and other issues relative to loans. Assists curatorial staff and photographers during photo shoots of exhibition and collection objects.

Public Outreach and Programming:
Collaborates with curators, Cross-Platform Publishing, Learning, and Digital and Emerging Media staff on developing exhibition and publication-related content for digital platforms and public programs. Participates in docent training and in giving tours, as needed, to priority visitors, classes, security, and visitor experience staff. May participate in symposia, panel discussions, or other public programs to extend understanding of CHSDM exhibitions and publications to national and internation audiences.

Administration:
Coordinates with the Exhibitions and Cross-Platform Publishing departments on the exhibition installation and catalog production schedule. As required, generates POs and paperwork to support exhibition and publication needs. Organizes, maintains, and updates exhibition files. Contributes to CHSDM’s expanding web, blog, and social media initiatives to engage audiences. Participates in general administrative staff and committee meetings as requested.

https://trustcareers.si.edu/en/postings/fc9a60a5-de9c-4577-8fbe-37dbce1938a2

10/03/2025

This job was sourced via NYFA