Curatorial Assistant (Temporary, Maternity Leave Coverage)
About The Position
The Contemporary Austin is hiring a temporary Curatorial Assistant to provide maternity leave coverage. The position is approximately 40 hours per week from November 30, 2026, through April 2, 2027. The Curatorial Assistant provides general support to the Curatorial Department and dedicated assistance for the exhibition program. This is a key departmental role designed for someone seeking foundational, hands-on experience in curatorial practice within a museum context. The position requires excellent research and writing skills, strong organizational abilities, and knowledge of twentieth- and twenty-first-century art history. The Curatorial Assistant works closely with the Head Curator & Director of Curatorial Affairs and collaboratively with the team and other departments. The position will primarily be conducted in person at The Contemporary Austin’s Jones Center location. Duties and responsibilities may change, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in art history or a related field.
- Minimum of 2 years of work experience within a museum or comparable arts-related organization.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to maintain precise and careful records, with a high level of accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.
- Knowledge of twentieth- and twenty-first-century art history.
Nice To Haves
- MA in art history or a related field.
- Knowledge of Teams, Teamwork, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite.
- Proficiency in Spanish.
Responsibilities
- Assist with exhibition planning, checklist maintenance, proofreading texts, loan correspondence, budgeting, research, organization, public tours, and exhibition installation.
- Support the production of catalogues and other print and digital publications.
- Assist with writing, editing, and proofreading exhibition-related texts, including didactic materials, web text, press releases, internal documents, and grant applications.
- Liaise with artists, donors, gallerists, and other curatorial contacts.
- Assist with research and fact-checking.
- Assist with creating internal project overviews and research packets.
- Organize itineraries for visiting artists and curators and help coordinate travel for out-of-town guests.
- Assist with onsite hospitality for artists and visitors.
- Assist with preparing materials for curatorial presentations.
- Manage installation photography alongside the Curatorial Administrative Assistant.
- Assist curators and the Registrar with loan procurement and organization.
- Draft loan letters and commission agreements.
- Coordinate and correspond with artists, gallerists, lenders, art institutions, and vendors.
- Provide general Curatorial Department support, including scheduling and coordinating meetings, managing contacts and correspondence, file management, presentations, interdepartmental needs, filing, budgeting, and note-taking.
- Lead exhibition tours as needed.
- Assist with maintaining a calendar of local, national, and international art events.
- Attend museum and local arts community events.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
