Survivance Curatorial Research Assistant at the Baltimore Museum of Art

Job Title: Survivance Curatorial Research Assistant

Job Status: Full-time, 16 months

Location: Baltimore, MD

Description

The Baltimore Museum of Art seeks to hire a 16-month, full-time Curatorial Research Assistant to assist in realizing the forthcoming exhibition Survivance: Centering Native Voices through Anti-Colonial Actions (tentative title), an interdisciplinary research project that will culminate in a convening, exhibition catalogue, institutional initiative, and exhibition. This wide-reaching initiative will radically center Native voices and challenge collective understandings of the pivotal role of Native peoples in United States history.

Survivance is scheduled to open at the Baltimore Museum of Art in May 2024. It will engage multiple curatorial departments and be presented in exhibition spaces across the BMA. Through both design and content, the related exhibitions will center Indigenous experiences and perspectives while subordinating Eurocentric and imperial Western structural forms of privilege and bias.

Reporting to the co-organizing curators — Darienne Turner (Yurok Tribe), Assistant Curator of Indigenous Art of the Americas, and Leila Grothe, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art — the primary responsibilities of the incumbent will be exhibition project management and thoughtful community engagement with both the local and national Native community.

Applicants of Indigenous descent are strongly encouraged to apply. The Research Assistant should plan to begin working on-site at the Museum between January–May 2023

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Assist curators in community engagement
  • Work closely with curators and other staff members to develop exhibition checklists, loan requests, installation designs, curatorial statements and artwork labels, and general exhibition
  • Compile, refine, and format bibliographic and primary source information for a non-traditional
  • Manage scheduling and logistical e-mail correspondence between curators, catalog contributors, artists, and key project
  • Attend and track decisions and action items of regular project and publication planning
  • Potential curatorial opportunities, if suited to the incumbent’s career

QUALIFICATIONS

  • BA in Native American studies, art history, history or a related field or professional experience equivalent
  • Demonstrated commitment to Native communities. Experience collaborating and consulting with Native community stakeholders
  • 2 years+ curatorial, editorial, community leadership or related experience required; knowledge of museum field practices preferred
  • Excellent interpersonal skills built on empathy, ability to establish rapport quickly, and attentive listener
  • Well-organized self-starter, detail oriented, and demonstrating excellent planning and implementation skills
  • Superb research and written communication skills are required, along with the ability to function in a fast-paced environment within a team
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct rigorous, independent research
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Zoom; experience in (or willingness to learn) data management software, like Airtable and TMS
  • Must be able to track and meet multiple deadlines

BENEFITS

The BMA is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to building a culturally diverse staff and strongly encourage all qualified professionals to apply.

We offer a competitive salary and a generous benefits package. For this exempt position we offer medical, dental, vision, prescription, 403b retirement plan, long-term disability, flexible spending account, flexible and condensed scheduling, museum and restaurant discounts, and reduced fee gym membership. We also offer accrued vacation, holidays, personal days, floating holidays, and sick days.

APPLY

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 posting describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role. We would also like to reiterate here that applicants of Indigenous descent are strongly encourage to apply. 

Please send a cover letter with salary requirements and resume to HR@artbma.org with “Survivance Curatorial Research Assistant” and your first and last name in the subject line.

Incomplete application materials will not be considered. No phone calls please.

Position will be posted until filled