Collection Specialist, Department of Photography at The Museum of Modern Art

Job Title: Collection Specialist, Department of Photography

Job Status: Full-time

Location: New York, NY

Salary: $77,340

Description

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for a Collection Specialist in the Department of Photography to assist departmental curators with research and logistics pertaining to deaccessions, sales, and other collection-related matters. This is a three-year grant-funded, fixed-term position.

 

Responsibilities:

 

  • Works with the Associate Curator and Collection Specialist to review and research the Photography permanent collection comprising 35,000 objects and the departmental collection containing approximately 40,000 images as they relate to potential deaccessions.
  • Coordinates the process of vetting works for sale/disposal with curators, the Office of the General Counsel, and the Collection Management and Exhibition Registration Department.
  • Answers related inquiries from outside researchers.
  • Works with outside sale venues to secure proposals, negotiate agreements, and coordinate the marketing and sale of works to be placed on consignment.
  • Monitors auctions featuring Museum property, takes note of bidding activity to share with the curators, and reports auction results to curators.
  • Maintains standards for cataloging photographs in accordance with the Collection Manual and Museum standards. Performs work in relation to the care of the collection and arranges for custodial, registration, and preparation work as required in the maintenance of the collection in gallery and storage areas.
  • Updates collections records—both physical object files and the online collection database—with pertinent information and status changes.
  • Assists Department Manager, Registrars, and General Counsel with preparations for Committee on Photography meetings and Board of Trustees meetings.
  • Drafts reports on proposed deaccessions and prepares PowerPoint presentations of deaccession candidates for Committee and Board meetings.
  • Expedites arrangements for registration, conservation, framing, and preparation work as required.
  • Arranges viewings for museum curators, outside scholars, auction house representatives, and dealers to examine works in person at the Museum or at the Museum’s off-site storage facility in Queens.
  • Conducts daily collection gallery inspections and assists with follow-up arrangements in the event of damage, deterioration, etc.
  • Fields image licensing requests, and serves as Department representative on Image Licensing Committee as it relates to deaccessioning.
  • Works with the Provenance Specialist, helping to answer research queries received through the Museum’s Provenance Research Project email account.
  • Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Requirements:

 

  • Bachelor’s degree in art history, master‘s degree preferred, and three or more years related experience in an art advisory, gallery, auction house, or museum setting.
  • Demonstrated interest in photography, with expertise in cataloging and archiving, photography conservation, and developments in the digital field required.
  • Outstanding communication skills and knowledge of general office protocol essential.
  • Capacity to take initiative and work thoughtfully, thoroughly, and collegially, while handling several projects simultaneously.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Advanced knowledge of and facility with MS Office.
  • Familiarity with The Museum System (TMS) is helpful.

 

Reports to:  The Acting Chief Curator and Senior Curator of Photography, and the Associate Curator of Photography

How to Apply

To apply, please visit MoMA Jobs. Applicants should submit a resume and a statement of interest. Applications without cover letters will not be considered. 

Application deadline: The application deadline is November 3, 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis to that date.

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”).

This is a unionized position at MoMA with covered employees represented by Local 2110, UAW, AFL-CIO.

This job was sourced via NYFA