Curatorial Assistant at Wexner Center for the Arts

Job Title: Curatorial Assistant

Job Status: Full-time

Location: Columbus, OH

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Mission Statement 

The Wexner Center is The Ohio State University’s multidisciplinary laboratory for contemporary art and culture. Through exhibitions, performances, screenings, educational programs, artist residencies, and publications the Wex serves as a vital forum where artists test ideas and where diverse audiences engage the art and issues of our time. In its programs, the Wex balances a commitment to experimentation with a critical appreciation of the past. Our work affirms the university’s pursuit of civic participation, freedom of expression, and robust dialogue. 

DEI Statement 

The Wexner Center values diversity and offers a supportive, open, and inclusive community. We encourage candidates to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. 

Job Description

The Curatorial Assistant works closely with the WCA curatorial team to ensure the productive and efficient operations of the WCA exhibitions department. They assist with specific exhibitions and projects organized by the WCA, whether appearing at a single location or traveling to multiple venues, or whether installed in the Wexner Center’s galleries or elsewhere. Providing general curatorial support for the Chief Curator, Associate Curators, and Guest Curators, they are responsible for a variety of curatorial and administrative tasks including exhibition research, planning, programs, and events; managing contacts and correspondence; coordination of exhibition logistics, publications, and didactic materials; writing and editing exhibition-related and marketing copy; and serving as a departmental liaison with the public, WCA staff, donors, artists, and arts professionals. In addition, the Curatorial Assistant may have the opportunity to generate original programs and exhibitions.

Reporting to the Chief Curator and Director of Exhibitions, this position will work closely with the exhibitions department staff including Wex curators and colleagues in registration, exhibition management, installation design, and archives.

40%       Curatorial Research and Support

• Assist curators in the development of an exhibition, from the research phase through the presentation in the galleries.
• Conduct curatorial research for exhibitions, projects, publications, and the collection, including writing on artists and works of art, developing bibliographies and exhibition histories, and gathering articles and essays from various sources.
• Assist with development of exhibition checklists, such as identifying potential and related works of art and their locations/provenance, finding relevant images, drafting loan letters; and work with registration department to facilitate loans.
• Manage curatorial planning documents; and facilitate communication with artists, collectors, galleries, outside curators, among others.
• Write, edit, and assist in publications and exhibition materials, including wall texts and didactics.
• Collaborate with community, faculty, interns, and students through class visits, exhibition development, and programming.

30%       Exhibition Coordination

• Support registrars on ArtBase record upkeep, including artwork/image assets and lender lists.
• Maintain research records, correspondence, and documents for Exhibitions history.
• Assist with managing curatorial-related finances for Exhibitions budget.
• Assist in the writing, copy editing, and proofing of text for marketing materials, website content, and other communication. Ensure accuracy of information in WCA exhibition-related publications, both in print and online.
• Organize and assist with staff training for exhibitions. Provide occasional tours of selected exhibitions and informational talks relating to WCA Curatorial department.
• Act as the lead curatorial contact for externally organized touring exhibitions, as assigned.
• Coordinate with the Learning and Public Practice Department on programming and interpretation initiatives involving exhibitions.
• Assist advancement team with materials for board meetings, grant proposals, and fundraising.

30 %      Administration, Communication, and Workflow

• Coordinate day-to-day administrative curatorial work in the Exhibitions Department, including drafting correspondence, as well as creating and managing internal planning documents such as project prospectus, spreadsheets, slideshow presentations, and tour proposals.
• Serve as the initial contact for the Curatorial department; respond to general inquiries from external colleagues and the public; and prepare materials and presentations to facilitate interdepartmental communications relating to Exhibitions program.
• Assist with scheduling meetings for curators; prepare agendas for key departmental and interdepartmental meetings and take notes at those meetings.
• Assist with itineraries for visiting artists, guest curators, and other guests; organize meetings with campus and community colleagues.
• Assist in updating contact lists and mailings related to Exhibitions.

Desired Experience and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in art history, curatorial studies, or comparable degree.
• Two years of experience in a museum setting or art organization.
• Knowledge of 20th and 21st century art, with a strong focus on contemporary art.
• Possess advanced research skills, and excellent organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• Strong communication skills, including public speaking, writing, and proofreading.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs, including SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams. Basic knowledge of Photoshop and InDesign preferred.
• Knowledge of university policies; expected to learn OSU’s Workday data system.

Full-time schedule is 40 hours per week, and occasional events, early mornings, evenings, weekends, and possible holidays as required.

In accordance with the Disaster Preparedness and University State of Emergency Policy 6.17, this position has been designated as a standby (not required to report to work) position; requires successful completion of background check.

APPLY HERE

Additional Information:

Proposed hourly range: $19.51-$26.06

Review of candidates will begin on August 22nd

Location:

Wexner Center for the Arts (0386)

Position Type:

Regular

Scheduled Hours:

40

Shift:

First Shift