Library Art History Research Assistant

Grinnell College • Grinnell, IA

1d

About The Position

Help research and write artist profile descriptions for the 22+ artists featured in #VodouReboot, an experiential exhibition celebrating Haitian Vodou spirituality and contemporary art at the Waterloo Center for the Arts, December 8, 2026–March 21, 2027. You will apply HADC's “Going Beyond Provenance”™ methodology—an ethical, community-centered cataloging framework that documents artists, communities, language, and cultural context alongside traditional art-historical data. Your profiles will support both the exhibition catalog and the HADC digital platform.

Requirements

• Current Grinnell College student
• Strong research skills
• Strong writing skills
• Strong editing skills
• Close attention to detail and consistency
• Cultural sensitivity toward Haitian, Vodou, and diasporic subject matter
• Reliability
• Organization
• Ability to work independently with weekly accountability

Nice To Haves

• Coursework or interest in art history, museum studies, digital humanities, Caribbean/Africana studies, anthropology, or history
• Reading knowledge of French and/or Haitian Kreyòl
• Familiarity with metadata or digital archives

Responsibilities

• Research and write artist profile descriptions for the #VodouReboot exhibition.
• Apply HADC's “Going Beyond Provenance”™ methodology for cataloging.
• Document artists, communities, language, and cultural context.
• Support the exhibition catalog and the HADC digital platform.

Benefits

• All student employment positions on campus are covered by a negotiated contract with the Union of Grinnell Student Dining Workers (UGSDW)

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed