Assistant Curator Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Postgraduate degree in Art History, Jewish history, and/or Jewish studies, demonstrating scholarly ability in the field.
• Proven interest and work in a particular area of Judaica.
• One to three years of curatorial and museum experience in the field.
• Reading and writing knowledge of biblical and modern Hebrew.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Scholarly research skills, excellent writing and presentation skills, and the ability to engage different audiences.
• Commitment to community and audience outreach and involvement.
• Clear commitment to IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, access), demonstrated through projects and collaborations that foster a culturally inclusive and welcoming environment.

Nice To Haves

• Reading knowledge of Yiddish.
• Proficiency in another European language.
• Experience working with European decorative arts beyond Judaica.
• Experience with museum databases.
• Knowledge of The Museum System (TMS).

Responsibilities

• Support installations and rotations of Jewish objects and plan for their integration into galleries across the museum.
• Coordinate with Conservation, Exhibitions, and Design on object condition checks, installation requests and oversight, location updates, and notifications to Member & Visitor Services, PR, and Development.
• Research, care for, manage, and document the collection; catalog objects, create and update object files, propose conservation treatments and photography, oversee the annual Judaica collection audit, and create and edit records in TMS.
• Move objects to and from laboratories and photo studios.
• Receive new objects in consultation with museum colleagues, identify and catalog them, and place them in storage.
• Help establish and administer a Judaica patron group or Curator’s Circle, including donor outreach, selecting events and speakers, invitations and RSVP tracking, event and trip logistics, meetings, communications, and payments for honoraria, travel, and hotels.
• Contribute original research and talks to the Judaica donor program.
• Support the MFA Pathways Internship program by assisting with intern hiring, training, and professional development in collaboration with museum departments.
• Support the museum’s teen programs, including the Teen Arts Council and STEAM Team, and help mentor high-school students and develop workplace skills.
• Assist with exhibition preparation through research, object checklists, loan correspondence, publication research, website development, and public programming.
• Assist with acquisitions by conducting research, maintaining object files and museum records, communicating with Conservation, Registrars, and the Provenance Chair, and traveling to examine potential acquisitions if required.
• Respond to inquiries from scholars, students, and visitors about the collection and object images; assist departmental visitors and help identify objects brought for examination.
• Help produce interpretive and exhibition materials, including wall panels, object labels, gallery surveys, and press releases.
• Work with Public Relations and the Creative team to propose and write social media posts and museum website material that increases the digital visibility of the Judaica collection.
• Perform other duties as responsibilities necessitate.