Position Summary
The Curatorial Assistant works under the immediate supervision of the Windgate Curator of Craft and the Curator of Native American Art. The curatorial assistant is responsible for providing curatorial and administrative support to these curators and the development of new programs for these curatorial areas at Crystal Bridges. The curatorial assistant must be a team player and be able to balance multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, manage project development and planning, and liaise with internal and external collaborators and colleagues.
The position will begin at 30 hours/week in 2023 and move to 40 hours/week on 1/1/2024.
Principal Responsibilities
- Contribute to varied curatorial functions, including conducting and compiling object and image research as directed, fact checking, contributing to grant applications, writing art-object related copy and preparing presentations for internal and external use.
- Assist curators with research and content development for the ongoing exhibitions program, including focus shows and large temporary exhibitions.
- Provide administrative support including, but not limited to, organizing and tracking projects and ongoing work; managing calendar and scheduling meetings; responding to internal and external queries via email and phone; maintaining information and files in collaboration with other departments; collaborating and coordinating work and content development across museum departments and with external partners and supporters; coordinating travel.
- Assist with preparation, production, and monitoring of curatorial budgets and reporting activities.
- Lead tours and deliver occasional gallery programs.
- Research potential acquisitions and prepare acquisition proposals.
- Support museum donor cultivation and stewardship through communications management, facilitation of visits, and relationship building.
- Assist Curators with publications by locating images, securing copyright permissions, compiling research as directed, fact checking texts and backmatter, mailing catalogues to photo and object lenders.
Additional Responsibilities
- Respond to art offers and assist with letters and e-mail correspondence.
- Help coordinate interns and volunteers in the curatorial department.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Education, Training, and Traits
- B.A. in art history, American studies, Native American studies, history, museum studies, fine art, or related discipline
- A strong interest in American craft and/or Native American art, historical to contemporary, required
- Demonstrated skill in organization and rigorous attention to detail
- Ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
- Ability to work independently and as a team member
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated research skills
- Understanding and experience in budget maintenance
- Positive attitude and collaborative spirit
- Ability to maintain the highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of curatorial endeavors, and to understand and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality
- Proficiency in using standard office equipment including copiers and telephone, as well as Microsoft 365 applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams; ability to train on effective use of additional software and databases as needed (e.g. Tessitura, Asana, TMS)
- Ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish a plus
- Equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience will satisfy the minimum requirements.
- Work Experience
- Experience in a museum, cultural organization, or gallery setting preferred
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Physical demands: In the work environment described below, position requires utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, bending and stretching for filing, standing and sitting with the ability to move around galleries, the classrooms, and throughout the museum. The position requires verbal and written conversation with others. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.
- Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, and in communities served. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.