Curatorial Assistant (Temporary)

A full-time, temporary Curatorial Assistant position, reporting to the Steven and Ann Ames Curator of Drawings and Prints, is available. The incumbent will assist the Curator with exhibitions, acquisition committee meetings, artist research, and administrative tasks, among other projects. Excellent research, writing, and organizational skills are essential, and knowledge of or interest in works on paper is a plus. The position will begin in June 2023 and conclude in December 2023.

Responsibilities:

• Provide support and research for Drawing and Print Acquisition Committee meetings
• Scholarly research for acquisitions, permanent collection objects, and exhibition proposals
• TMS data entry related to incoming acquisitions
• Preparation of presentations
• General administrative tasks such as organization of meetings, processing invoices, maintaining contacts, and scheduling tours
• Co-supervision of department intern

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in 20^th- and 21^st-century American art
• 1-2 years of gallery, museum or relevant experience
• Excellent writing, research, and communication skills, with attention to detail
• Ability to handle several projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
• Ability to work well as a member of a team
• Administrative and organizational skills, including experience with TMS, Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and Zoom

Compensation & Benefits: 

• This is a full-time temporary role with an hourly rate of $30.21
• 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
• This role may be covered under UAW Local 2110

The advertised pay rate is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.

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.