Curatorial Assistant, Painting and Sculpture (Temporary)

The Museum of Modern Art•New York, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Museum of Modern Art is seeking a temporary Curatorial Assistant for the Department of Painting and Sculpture. This department manages the world's largest and most inclusive collection of modern painting and sculpture, encompassing approximately 4,000 works from the late 19th century to the present. The department is responsible for a dynamic program of acquisitions, exhibitions, and scholarly research. The Curatorial Assistant will provide comprehensive support to senior curators, handling administrative tasks related to curatorial functions. This includes research for exhibitions and publications, managing loans, acquisitions, collections records, bibliographic and biographical information, and responding to general curatorial inquiries.

Requirements

Master’s or PhD degree in art history, or equivalent work experience.
Expertise in 21st century American and European art history.
One to two years’ experience working in a museum or supporting loan exhibitions and accompanying publications.
Superior research, writing, and editing skills are essential.
Professional proficiency of a second language.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to successfully work as part of a team.
Working knowledge of Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite include MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Proficiency in at least one language, in addition to English, is required.
On-site presence is required five days a week during the 90-day initial employment period. Thereafter the schedule is four days per week onsite, subject to change at management’s discretion, with the understanding that some weeks on-site presence five days a week will be required.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with The Museum System (TMS) is helpful.

Responsibilities

Assists senior curators with all aspects of research, planning, organization, and realization of upcoming exhibitions.
Writes, edits, and assists in the production of Museum publications and exhibition-related materials, including wall texts and extended object labels.
Researches and catalogs the Museum collection and archives as they relate to the exhibition project. Answers related inquiries.
Performs exhibition support functions, including bibliographic and checklist research, loan correspondence, publication research and production, website development, and public program planning.
Assists in the maintenance of the collection and loans, and expedites arrangements for custodial, registration, conservation, and preparation work as required in the gallery, study and storage areas.
Functions as a liaison with outside persons and organizations, and with other departments within the Museum.
May assist in research and preparation for potential acquisitions for the collection, including biographical and bibliographical research, maintaining files, and communicating with dealers, galleries, collectors, and artists, as necessary.
Keeps informed of current activity in the area of departmental interest through gallery and museum visits, publications, etc. and makes recommendations to senior staff.
Conducts daily collection gallery inspections and daily inspection of works on view in temporary exhibitions and assists with follow-up arrangements in the event of damage, deterioration, etc.
Answers inquiries and conducts gallery tours as necessary for visitors, etc.
Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.