Curatorial Associate, Permanent Collections

University of Chicago•Chicago, IL

2d•$55,000 - $60,000

About The Position

The Curatorial Associate, Permanent Collections is a full-time, benefits-eligible one-year position, with the possibility of renewal. The role supports the Curator’s collection-focused responsibilities, with particular emphasis on developing the Museum’s new collection plan, researching and managing production of a collection handbook, and planning the physical reorganization of the collection across on-site and off-site storage in partnership with the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry and Registration. The Associate conducts original research on collection objects, maintains and enhances collection records, and acts as an interdepartmental liaison for collection-related projects. The position also supports collection inquiries, loans, exhibitions, grants, intern and student training, and other curatorial work. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented emerging scholar with strong research and writing skills, project management experience, and the flexibility to work across tasks in a dynamic, small-team environment.

Requirements

College or university degree in a related field.
Two to five years of work experience in a related job discipline.
Strong original research and writing skills, producing clear, accurate, and engaging texts for scholarly and public audiences.
Strong project management skills, including managing multiple projects, tracking deliverables, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and a collaborative working style.
Ability to serve as a reliable liaison across departments.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field.
At least two years of experience in a museum curatorial department or comparable research institution, with direct experience supporting collection documentation, publications, or exhibition preparation.
Experience supporting production of a scholarly catalogue, handbook, or collection publication.
Experience with collections management databases; familiarity with TMS is preferred.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
Knowledge of image rights and reproduction permissions workflows.
Reading knowledge of one or more languages relevant to the collection.

Responsibilities

Support development of the Museum’s new collection plan by benchmarking peer institution policies, researching objects and collections to identify strengths and gaps, and drafting sections for review.
Prepare written summaries, meeting materials, and decision records for curatorial and stakeholder consultations.
Manage the production of the Smart Museum’s collection handbook, tracking milestones, deadlines, and deliverables across curatorial, editorial, and design workflows.
Research collection objects for handbook entries, including provenance, exhibition history, material technique, conservation history, artist biography, and bibliography; maintain accurate documentation in the collections management system.
Draft and edit object entries, introductory texts, and supporting handbook materials for curatorial review.
Coordinate image rights, reproduction permissions, and image delivery with Museum staff and external partners.
Liaise with external editors, designers, and the press as directed by the supervising Curator.
Partner with the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry and Registration to plan reorganization of the collection between on-site and off-site storage facilities.
Assist in evaluating objects for long-term loan, de-accession consideration, or re-installation as part of collection reorganization.
Respond to internal and external collection research inquiries from faculty, students, scholars, and the public, consistent with Museum policies.
Maintain and update object files, bibliographic records, and curatorial correspondence files in digital and paper formats.
Assist with drafting loan correspondence, exhibition checklists, and collection-related grant applications as directed.
Participate in training and mentoring curatorial interns and student employees under the supervising Curator’s guidance.
Attend and contribute to curatorial, departmental, and relevant cross-departmental meetings and working groups.
Help commission new work and develop exhibitions to advance the University’s visual arts efforts, with guidance from others.
Coordinate support for museum programs through fundraising efforts.
Perform other related work as needed.