Beaumont and Nancy Newhall Curatorial Fellowship at MoMA

Job Title: Fellow

Job Status: Full-time, 3 years.

About the job

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for a Beaumont and Nancy Newhall Curatorial Fellow. The Beaumont and Nancy Newhall Curatorial Fellowship is a three-year fellowship during which the Fellow assists senior curatorial staff in all areas of their responsibilities. Performs administrative tasks in the context of curatorial functions, including acquisition procedures, collections records, research for exhibitions and publications, departmental committees, loans, and general curatorial inquiries.

Department of Photography at MoMA: The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) began collecting modern photography in 1930 and established the Department of Photography in 1940. The Museum’s holdings of more than 25,000 works constitute one of the most important collections of modern and contemporary photography in the world. As diverse as photography itself, the Collection includes works not only by artists, but also by journalists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and amateurs.

Collection

Specific responsibilities include:

  • Develops a deep knowledge of the Collection and serves as point person and expert for all projects related to the Collection.
  • Assists in the organization of gallery presentations or special exhibitions dedicated to the Museum Collection.
  • Writes short texts about works being proposed to the Committee on Photography to enter the Museum Collection.
  • Conducts collection gallery inspections and assists in follow-up arrangements in the event of damage, deterioration, etc.

Exhibitions

  • Working with relevant staff across the Museum, performs exhibition support functions, including general research, checklist maintenance, catalogue preparation, and wall labels.
  • Liaises with other areas of the Museum such as Exhibitions, Conservation, Publications, Graphic Design, Framing, etc.
  • Performs work in relation to the care of the collections in gallery, study center, and storage areas.

External Affairs, Public Programs And Scholarship

  • Attends international conferences and symposia and serves as a key representative of the Department.
  • Writes articles in professional journals.
  • Answers inquiries and conducts some gallery tours as necessary for visitors, etc.
  • Assists in preparing the Contemporary Forum on Photography and the Photography Council.
  • Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Qualifications

  • Highly-accomplished and experienced professional who brings a depth of knowledge and talent to a multifaceted and world-renowned program.
  • Deeply passionate about art, with a commitment to excellence. Possesses a curatorial expertise and is well-versed in the social and political history of area of focus.
  • Creative and strategic, collaborates with talented colleagues and Museum leadership, a diverse set of external partners, and the general public.
  • Thrives in a structured and highly professional environment, upholding a leading position in the field.

Education, Professional Experience, And Personal Attributes Will Include

  • Expertise and accomplishments in the field of photography. Significant experience in working with a large photography collection.
  • Knowledge of photography outside North America or Europe preferred.
  • Strong academic foundation and clearly demonstrated research capabilities, with a sophisticated understanding of photography and an innate intellectual curiosity.
  • Willingness to engage and connect with members of the Committee on Photography, members of the Photography Council, Museum colleagues, industry experts and other external partners as well as the general public.
  • Ability to successfully and diplomatically partner with a diverse population of technical experts throughout the organization.
  • Strong organizational skills; ability to set priorities, yet maintain flexibility in order to respond quickly to new opportunities.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written; superior presentation skills; sound judgment.
  • Passionate about photography and art with a commitment to the Museum’s mission.
  • Photography or art history background, with either a bachelor’s degree (required), masters of art (preferred) in the field or comparable experience. Demonstrated research capabilities. Five or more years of significant curatorial experience in a museum context.
  • Fully vaccinated with a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and/or the World Health Organization authorized vaccine (or approved for an exemption as a reasonable accommodation due to a qualified disability or sincerely held religious belief or other legal basis).

Reports to: Senior curatorial titles as assigned

Application instructions:

To apply, please visit MoMA Jobs. Applicants should submit a resume and a statement of interest.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement:

Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).