Curatorial Assistant Modern and Contemporary Art

Summary

The Curatorial Assistant will work with and support the Modern & Contemporary Curatorial Department on a wide range of activities to support exhibitions, collection management, scholarly research, community engagement, fund raising, and other related administrative requirements based upon given needs.

Responsibilities:

• The Curatorial Assistant will aid in the development, planning, and implementation of curatorial strategies and activities that relate all aspects of collection management and development, departmental and special exhibitions, research, and public service.
• The Curatorial Assistant is a vital inter-departmental liaison, working closely with colleagues across the museum, including but not limited to the departments of Learning and Interpretation, Registration, Exhibitions and Exhibition Design, Preparations, Graphics, Visitor Services, Development, and Marketing to help promote and contextualize the collections, exhibitions, special events, and board meetings, as well as on our website and in fundraising and marketing materials.
• This position also requires a willingness to work flexible hours, and to be public-facing while collaborating with the Museum's board of trustees, our broader support base and general public, colleagues at other institutions, independent scholars, students, and artists.
• Assist in the hiring and supervision of interns, fellows, and volunteers.

More specific tasks include:

• Draft written content, including collection reports, labels and interpretation materials, and other supporting needs for curatorial projects. Provide research and related support.
• Publish and lecture on curatorial projects, exhibitions, and collection objects.
• Research modern and contemporary artists in relation to Museum projects.
• Help coordinate curatorial needs for installations, subcommittee meetings, and other meetings.
• Participates in scholarly activity outside the museum that promote our collections and exhibitions, as exemplified by attending professional meetings and/or engaging in professional development activities.

Permanent Collection

• Ensure the stewardship of the collections, their care and preservation, at levels that meet or exceed disciplinary and/or Museum standards;
• Coordinate collections management operations, working with the curators to develop and meet short- and long-range objectives; seek and implement efficiencies where feasible;
• Respond to verbal and written requests, including inquiries from the general public, as well as departmental correspondence regarding loans, accessions, and donations;
• Research and publish/lecture on specific museum objects;
• Research and prepare acquisition reports for new acquisitions objects.

Exhibitions

• Facilitate and guide exhibition content development with curators and the department of Learning and Interpretation;
• Collaborate with Exhibition department as project manager for specific exhibitions;
• Secure rights and reproduction permissions and obtain images for catalogues and didactic copy.

Departmental fundraising - Development

• Interface with support group members, recruit new members, and help develop programs;
• Present objects for funding to subcommittees; work with support community as asked.

Public Programs

• Assist in public programs and educational and outreach activities, including the development of outreach materials, exhibitions (temporary and permanent), and direct participation in public outreach events as directed;
• As needed provide public tours and informal classes.

Marketing and Communications

• Assist in develop marketing and public relation materials for the department, exhibitions, and special projects. Assist with social media posts and press interviews (written and televised).

Other General Requirements

• A willingness to learn the history of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and to engage with other arts organizations in the city.
• Lead visiting scholars and dignitaries through the collection and offer informal talks;
• May also be tasked with travel to view artworks, exhibitions, or visit artists' studios as needed or requested by curator;
• May represent department or Museum at functions, gatherings, and interviews.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of the field, and a general knowledge of art history;
• Broad museum knowledge;
• Sophisticated research and writing skills;
• Attention to detail, strong organization skills, computer experience required (PC Word, Power Point, and Excel training are available);
• Highly developed administration and organizational skills, and demonstrated experience in project coordination, logistics, scheduling, project and expense tracking, and administration;
• Experience processing information and working to tight deadlines;
• Capable of setting priorities and working with minimal supervision;
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to work effectively and positively with all staff, donors, artists, and collaborators in a highly collegial environment, and at times high volume organization;
• Reading knowledge of a language other than English;
• Knowledge of and experience with curatorial resource care and basic preservation practices for objects, multimedia, images, and documents;
• Interest and experience in cultural heritage work and community engagement;
• An enthusiasm for the museum profession, the ability to work collaboratively, and to approach a broad range of tasks with a positive outlook;

Education and Experience:

• M.A in Art History
• A minimum of 2 years of museum or related curatorial experience required

About the MFAH

The MFAH is an organization comprised of 600+ employees and 1,000+ docents and volunteers. The museum is more than 100 years old and ranks nationally among the top 10 art museums in exhibition space, memberships, endowments, and attendance, with 1M visitors annually. Our multifaceted institution includes multiple gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, two art schools, three eateries and two house museums for decorative arts. The encyclopedic collection numbers more than 70,000 works of art in a wide range of media. As an employer, MFAH offers a supportive, collegial and inclusive work environment and a competitive benefits package.

Position Available:

Title: Curatorial Assistant
Reports to: Department Head, Modern & Contemporary Art
Classification: Exempt/Salaried
Schedule: 35-hour work week on site
Pay Rate: Please see "Compensation" below
Work Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Work will primarily be performed in museum offices, conference rooms and galleries, and when traveling, other related environments. Work may vary and can involve limited physical labor during the design and installation processes. With or without reasonable accommodation, the individual selected must have the capacity to perform effectively all essential functions. In addition to the other demands mentioned, the demands of the job may or will include:

• Must undergo and meet company standards for relevant criminal background and professional reference checks.
• Ability to successfully handle and complete multiple tasks concurrently.
• Seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing clearly in order to communicate with staff, guests and others.
• Frequent sitting, standing, bending, walking, and reaching, which may be required for extended periods of time.
• Good vision or corrected by use of glasses and/or contacts for reading and viewing abilities.
• Note: Many important Museum events happen outside a standard 9:00 to 5:00 schedule; must be willing to work flexible hours on these occasions.

Equal Opportunities for All

At the MFAH, we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.
Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

The MFAH is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: View email address on click.appcast.io

Benefits:

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, offers an excellent benefits package that includes:

• Medical Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a choice of managed health care programs
• Dental Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through two plan choices
• Vision Insurance: Employee and dependent coverage through a vision program
• Group health, dental and vision insurance coverage available and effective the first of the month following employment with the MFAH for this role.
• Life Insurance & AD&D: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee
• Long Term Disability: Employee coverage at no cost to the employee

The MFAH provides a generous schedule for time off under the following benefit categories:

• Paid Time Off - Used for absences from work such as vacation, illness of short duration, and personal reasons. Hours are accrued biweekly, based on employment status, length of service, and hours worked
• Reserve Time Off - Used for extended illnesses. Employees accrue up to 6 days per year, up to a maximum of 120 days
• Holidays - Full-time employees receive ten paid holidays per year
• Volunteer Time Off - The MFAH supports activities that enhance and serve the communities in which we live and work. Employees receive up to 40 hours of paid time off annually to give back and volunteer.

Other Benefits

• Staff may contribute to the MFAH Retirement Savings Plan. Eligible staff contributing to the plan may receive up to a 5% matching contribution from the MFAH after one year of service. (We also recognize prior nonprofit service which will provide for an accelerated employer match!)
• MFAH Membership - Staff receive a free Family-level membership
• Discounts - Staff receive discounts on purchases at the Museum shop and all on campus eateries and the Glassell School of Art.
• Metro commuter subsidy available upon request

Compensation:

Salary will be commensurate with the applicant's experience and the needs and requirements expressed in the job description. The MFAH has set the pay range for this job and level as a general guideline and not a guarantee of the compensation amount or salary. A salary range for this role has been set but we know additional factors may be considered in extending an offer including (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, candidate experience and unique qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities, the needs and requirements expressed in the job description, as well as internal equity, and alignment with market data, and any related regulations or other laws.

Application Procedure

Qualified applicants should apply online, which will be the most effective way to ensure consideration.

Application materials should include a cover letter, your resume or CV, and if you prefer, a list of references will be accepted but not required at this early stage in the process.

Applications or letters of interest sent via mail, fax, or direct email to a staff member will not ensure consideration.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.