Editor

The Whitney Museum of American Art is seeking a full-time Editor to join its Publications Department. Reporting to the Director of Publications, the incumbent is responsible for printed and digital exhibition catalogues, books, and essays as well as exhibition graphics and selected exhibition-related ephemera. The Editor works closely with curators, artists, authors, and colleagues across the institution and serves as a key member of the Publications Department. The editor plays an essential role in advancing the scholarship of the institution and supporting the work of artists.

Responsibilities

• Manage and edit approximately two to three exhibition catalogues per year, overseeing the project from manuscript to final files
• Edit exhibition graphics for approximately six exhibitions per year
• Edit online essays
• Edit selected exhibition-related ephemera
• Liaise with freelance production managers, editors, and designers
• Provide tutorials to colleagues for assembling backup for footnotes, chronologies, bibliographies, and exhibition histories
• Perform research and verify information
• Work with editorial colleagues and the Director of Publications to set the editorial style for the institution
• Field editorial questions from colleagues
• Review sales materials for the Whitney's trade publishing partner if requested by the Director of Publications
• Assist editorial colleagues as needed
• Create and send author contracts if requested by the Director of Publications
• Serve on institutional committees if requested by the Director of Publications
• Attend press checks if requested by the Director of Publications

• Represent the Whitney at selected industry events and conferences

Requirements

• BA in English or Art History

• Minimum of eight years of experience managing and editing illustrated scholarly publications

• Excellent project management skills 
• Thorough understanding of all phases of book production
• Knowledge of and interest in modern and contemporary American art
• ​Adept at proofreading, fact-checking, and rewriting
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Knowledge of the seventeenth edition of the Chicago Manual of Style
• Ability to excel under extreme deadline pressure
• Diplomacy, collegiality, and the ability to work well as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills
• Understanding of rights and reproductions
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe programs
• Familiarity with TMS (The Museum System) preferred
• Foreign language a plus (Spanish strongly preferred)

Compensation and Benefits

• Compensation of 85,000 per annum 
• Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(B) elections
• Generous PTO benefits
• Commuter benefits - parking and mass transit
• Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally 
• Pet insurance and discounted membership for Citibike

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.

About the Whitney: 

The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.

EEO Statement: 

The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment

COVID Guidelines: 

The health and safety of our Museum community is the highest priority. As such, the Whitney Museum is requiring all newly hired staff members to be fully vaccinated and boosted with an FDA authorized and/or approved COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. Requests for reasonable accommodations for medical, religious, or other reasons will be considered in accordance with applicable law.