Assistant Curator

Assistant Curator

Art Bridges Foundation is the vision of philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton. Founded in 2017, Art Bridges creates and supports projects that share works of American art with communities across the United States and its territories. Art Bridges partners with a growing network of nearly 400 museums of many sizes—impacting 25 million people nationwide—to provide financial and strategic support for exhibitions, collection loans, and programs designed to educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local communities. The Art Bridges Collection represents an expanding vision of American art from the 19th century to present day and encompasses multiple media and voices. For more information, visit artbridgesfoundation.org.

The Assistant Curator supports the research, development, and stewardship of collection-based art sharing projects and curatorial initiatives. This role conducts scholarly and object-based research, develops curatorial and interpretive content, supports collection development and acquisitions, and contributes to the placement of works from the collection with partner museums in alignment with established curatorial priorities.

Working collaboratively across departments and with external stakeholders, the Assistant Curator contributes curatorial expertise to projects and initiatives that advance art-sharing, expand access to American art, and support partner museums. The role builds and maintains effective relationships with museum partners, artists, scholars, and other stakeholders while contributing to the research, interpretation, and activation of a growing collection of American art.

Success in this role requires strong research, communication, organizational, and collaboration skills, along with demonstrated knowledge of American art and curatorial practice. The role also requires sound judgment, attention to detail, diplomacy, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while working both independently and collaboratively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage, solicit, and support the placement of works from the collection with new and existing partner museums in coordination with appropriate internal teams.
• Conduct scholarly and object-based research to support the collection, collection loans, acquisitions, exhibitions, publications, and other curatorial initiatives.
• Contribute curatorial expertise, research, and support to collection development, acquisitions, interpretation, and other collection-based initiatives in alignment with established curatorial priorities.
• Maintain accurate curatorial information within collections management systems, databases, and related departmental resources.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with museum partners, artists, scholars, and other external stakeholders to support collection loans and curatorial initiatives.
• Serve as a curatorial point of contact for assigned partner relationships and collection-related projects, providing timely communication, scholarly information, and coordination as appropriate.
• Collaborate with internal departments and external partners to support the planning and execution of collection loans, curatorial projects, and related initiatives.
• Present collection-based research and curatorial content to museum partners, professional audiences, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute curatorial content and subject matter expertise to digital, communications, and audience-facing initiatives in collaboration with appropriate internal teams.

• Manage assigned curatorial projects and activities within established priorities, timelines, and resources, identifying issues and escalating matters requiring broader departmental direction as appropriate.
• Support departmental planning, documentation, expense tracking, meetings, and other operational activities related to assigned curatorial work.
• Mentor interns and provide subject matter guidance related to assigned curatorial projects and research activities, as appropriate.
• Participate in courier travel and other collection-related activities as needed to support the safe movement and stewardship of works of art.
• Assist with departmental tasks, workflows, and operational activities as needed to support curatorial initiatives and priorities.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support evolving organizational needs.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Master's degree in art history, curatorial studies, museum studies, or a related field preferred; bachelor's degree with significant relevant experience considered.
• 3–5 years of relevant curatorial, exhibition, research, interpretation, collections, or related museum experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of American art and curatorial practices, including collection research, exhibition development, and collection stewardship.
• Demonstrated experience conducting scholarly research and developing curatorial or interpretive content for exhibitions, publications, presentations, or other audience-facing materials.
• Experience supporting acquisitions, collection development, exhibitions, loans, or other curatorial initiatives.
• Experience coordinating projects, timelines, resources, or other operational activities within a museum or cultural institution environment.
• Strong communication (verbal, written, and presentation) and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously, and maintain organized, accurate work in a fast-paced environment.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify challenges, develop practical solutions, and exercise strong attention to detail and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners to support curatorial initiatives, collection activities, exhibitions, loans, and organizational priorities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and collaboration and workflow management tools such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Asana, with the ability to learn and adapt to new technology platforms.
• Familiarity with collections management systems, digital asset management platforms, project management tools, and related technologies used to support curatorial and collection activities.
• High level of professional integrity and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to remain focused and steady in fast-paced environments with competing demands, including periods of transition, uncertainty, or operational strain.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, remaining adaptable and resilient.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Physical Demands: In the work environment described, this position requires utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, good hand-eye coordination, bending and stretching, and the physical stamina to lift and transport a minimum of 10 pounds. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.

Work Environment: Work is performed on-site (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) in a professional, climate-controlled office environment with standard office equipment, including computers, printers, and telephones. This role requires working in an open setting near colleagues. The noise level is typically low to moderate. The role also requires regular interaction with both the public and internal team members in a professional and courteous manner. Some travel will be required, including occasional overnight travel, and a flexible schedule may be necessary to accommodate business needs, including occasional evening and weekend work hours.

Art Bridges and DEAI

At Art Bridges, diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion are central to all work and decisions made within our organization. We support our colleagues and partners in learning and growing together to make this important work part of our daily lives.

Art Bridges is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States.