(P/T) Collections Assistant at the University of Chicago

Job Title: Collections Assistant

Job Status: Part-time

Location: Chicago, IL

Department :AI Feitler Center/Academic Initiatives

About The Department: As the fine arts museum of the University of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art is a site for rigorous inquiry and exchange that encourages the examination of complex issues through the lens of art objects and artistic practice. Through strong scholarly and community collaborations and a welcoming approach to its exhibitions, collections, publications, research and teaching, and public programs, the Smart Museum plays a dynamic role in expanding artistic canons, rethinking received histories, introducing new perspectives, and engaging diverse communities—locally, nationally, and internationally. The Smart Museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.

Job Summary: Reporting to the Associate Director and Curator of Academic Engagement, the Collections Assistant has a special focus on making the Smart Museum’s collection accessible for teaching and research within the Museum’s Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry. This is a part-time, benefits eligible position. This position is a limited term that is scheduled to be a one-year appointment.

Responsibilities

  • Adheres to the best standards of art handling, pulls works on paper, paintings, sculptures, scrolls, etc. in advance of class and research visits to the study room. Tracks locations during art movement. Returns artwork to home locations in a timely manner.
  • Works in close partnership with the Associate Director and Curator of Academic Engagement and the Lead Exhibition Technician to understand upcoming and closed object requests. Collaborates with and co-mentors the Collections and Preparation Graduate Intern.
  • Maintains impeccable organization and orderliness in working with objects.
  • Assists with record-keeping around collections use.
  • Collaborates with the Museum’s Registrars to assist with re-homing artworks and broader collections moves in storage.
  • Assists with special projects, such as collections photography.
  • Contributes to the overall cleanliness and organization of the Museum’s artwork storage rooms.
  • Participates in collections preservation projects.
  • With a moderate level of guidance from others, supports implementation of procedures to ensure compliance with museum policies.
  • Assists with maintenance of storage areas, collection records and databases with a moderate level of guidance and direction.
  • Performs other related work as needed.

Education

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline

.CertificationsPreferred QualificationsExperience

  • One to three years art handling experience in a museum or fine arts setting.

Technical Skills Or Knowledge

  • Knowledge of best practices in the fields of art handling, preparation, registration, collections care, and security.

Preferred Competencies

  • Demonstrated organizational and analytical skills.
  • Effectively navigate highly sensitive and secure spaces.
  • Strong communication skills and work collaboratively with others in a team environment.
  • Conscientious, self-motivated, resourceful, flexible, and punctual.
  • Meticulous attention to detail and safety.

Working Conditions

  • Moving art and objects of different sizes between the study room and storage within the museum.

Application Documents

  • Resume/CV (required)
  • Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Apply Here

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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