Associate Curator, Collections Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project at the Guggenheim Museum

Job Title: Associate Curator, Collections Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project

Job Status: Full-time, temporary

Location: New York, NY

Salary: $87,000 – $95,000

About the job

Summary Of Position

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation is seeking an Associate Curator, Collections for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project team to be based in New York. This position is responsible for developing and implementing the curatorial vision and program of the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project and for contributing to the conception, organization, and implementation of the acquisition strategy, collection narrative displays, and collection-based exhibitions of the inaugural presentation and beyond. Further responsibilities include developing and providing support for scholarly museum publications on collection artworks and publicly accessible content in written and electronic form, advancing the museum’s research agenda and educational mission, and acting as a curatorial ambassador for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project. This position reports to the Curator of Collections and Interim Director of Curatorial Affairs Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project.

Founded in 1937, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation is dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of art, architecture, and other manifestations of visual culture, primarily of the modern and contemporary periods. The Guggenheim realizes this mission through exceptional exhibitions, education programs, research initiatives, and publications. The Guggenheim strives to engage and educate an increasingly diverse international audience through its unique network of museums and partnerships. With nearly three million annual visitors worldwide, the Guggenheim and its network are one of the most visited cultural institutions in the world.

Skill And Experience Requirements

  • M.A. in Art History or the equivalent (defined as at least eight years prior curatorial work experience). Advanced degree in Art History or related field with a concentration in 20th-century and/or contemporary art. Knowledge of global art history, theory, and discourse.
  • Expertise in the art of West Africa and/or the Arab world is preferred.
  • Background in modern and contemporary art with demonstrated expertise in global art history
  • Proven knowledge of professional museum practices, including the realization of loan and collection exhibitions; history of scholarship and publications related to modern or contemporary art; and experience in project management, collection development and planning, and exhibition programming.
  • Interest and ability in curatorial research.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills. Excellent organizational and time management skills.
  • Professional demeanor and diplomatic approach. String interpersonal skills.
  • Proficiency with database software (The Museum System and E-mu preferred) and Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel) software.
  • Demonstrated experience of working cross-culturally. Willingness to travel in the region and internationally.
  • Proficiency in Arabic and one European language preferred.
  • Writing sample to be provided upon request.

Key Responsibilities

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Conduct and produce scholarly research on collection artists and artworks for collection exhibitions and publications.
  • Support and produce research, organization, and implementation of the collection narrative displays and collection-based exhibitions for the inaugural program and beyond.
  • Support oversight of the administration of collection database and archiving, as needed.

Collection Exhibitions And Publications

  • Support development, organization, and implementation of collection exhibitions for the inaugural program and beyond, including collection narrative displays in the permanent collection galleries and collection-based special exhibitions.
  • Conceive, organize, and coordinate collection-based special exhibitions composed primarily of works from the holdings of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
  • Manage and contribute texts for related exhibition wall texts, catalogue essays, and online content.
  • Develop related educational and public programs and written materials, including online content.
  • General responsibilities include composing checklists, writing essays and related exhibition texts, and coordinating all exhibition details with conservation and other departments within the museum and in concert with New York and Abu Dhabi staffs of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
  • Regarding these exhibitions, see to the coordination of collection use in keeping with the processes and procedures concerning incoming loans and conservation review.
  • Conduct research on the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum collections to inform permanent collection installations in Abu Dhabi or for museum publications. Maintain oversight of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi exhibition-related catalogues, education materials, and related published materials (including websites and marketing materials) in coordination with New York and Abu Dhabi staff.
  • As needed, coordinate loans from Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation to Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. In consultation with senior curatorial staff, collaborate with conservation, registrar, art services, and exhibition design departments in New York and Abu Dhabi on the realization and documentation of collection exhibitions.
  • Communicate with artists and their studios as needed.
  • Write short texts on collection artworks for exhibition wall texts, catalogue entries, and the website, as called upon.
  • Work with Publications to expand the collections section of the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi website, assemble images and texts, and confirm all published material.
  • In collaboration with DCT curatorial and collections management team, manage the research, editorial process, and delivery of final object captions on the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi collection for the permanent record.
  • Compile exhibition catalogue bibliographies and chronologies as directed on a project-by- project basis. Contribute scholarly essays as required on a project-by-project basis.
  • Other projects as assigned.

Acquisitions:

    • Support curators in all aspects of the acquisitions process, including conducting preliminary research, obtaining information from galleries and artists, writing scholarly curatorial reports on artists and artworks, preparing for acquisition committee meetings, and follow-through on acquisition intake as needed.
    • With the Curator of Collections and Interim Director of Curatorial Affairs, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the curatorial collections team identify works for acquisition. Prepare acquisition presentation materials for consideration.

Collection Research And Administration

    • Conduct research on artworks in the collection as needed for collection exhibitions, outgoing loans, and publications, including online content.
    • In collaboration with DCT curatorial and collections management team, support curatorial object and artist files; maintain curatorial records for collections activity, including acquisitions, exhibitions, and publications.
    • In collaboration with DCT curatorial and collections management team, oversee label copy for all collection works for exhibitions, loans, publications, retail products, and educational materials.
    • In collaboration with DCT curatorial and collections management team, oversee the maintenance of curatorial data in the computerized collections management system (TMS and/or Emu) and initiate data entry for curatorial narrative displays and collection-based exhibitions.

Departmental:

  • Manage general correspondence related to collection and collection exhibitions from colleagues and the general public.
  • Participate and support the preparation of meetings of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Working Group; and participate in regular Guggenheim Abu Dhabi curatorial meetings and occasional Guggenheim departmental meetings.
  • Represent Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project curatorial department at regional Middle Eastern and international art exhibitions and events. Build relationships with UAE and Middle Eastern art communities across the region and internationally.

WORK DEMANDS And ENVIRONMENT

  • Ability to travel within the metropolitan area as required to perform the above duties at any of the Guggenheim’s owned or leased properties upon request.
  • Travel to Abu Dhabi on an as-needed basis.
  • Occasionally work may be conducted outdoors, exposure to varied weather conditions.
  • Ability to work nights, weekends, holidays on occasion.

Education

  • M.A. in Art History or the equivalent (defined as at least 8 years prior curatorial work experience). Advanced degree in Art History or related field with a concentration in 20th-century and/or contemporary art. Knowledge of global art history, theory, and discourse. Expertise in the art of Africa and/or the Arab world is preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS : n/a

REPORTS TO: Curator and Interim Director of Curatorial Affairs

LOCATION : One Liberty Plaza, New York, NY 10006

WORK SCHEDULE : 40 Hours per Week, Schedule TBD

POSITION TYPE : Full-time, Exempt. This position will be covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with Local 2110 UAW .

SALARY RANGE : $87,000 – $95,000 annually

The Guggenheim is dedicated to creating paths that lead to a more inclusive and diverse institution. We encourage inquiries from applicants who will reflect the plurality of our culture and our global audience. The Guggenheim does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin or disability status.

Department: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Management

This is a full-time position

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