Curatorial Assistant, Carnegie International - Temporary

Carnegie Museum of Art creates experiences that connect people to art, ideas, and one another. We believe creativity is a defining human characteristic to which everyone should have access. CMOA collects, preserves, and presents artworks from around the world to inspire, sustain, and provoke discussion, and to engage and reflect multiple audiences. Carnegie Museum of Art is arguably the first museum of contemporary art in the United States, collecting the "Old Masters of tomorrow" since the inception of the Carnegie International in 1896. Today, the museum is one of the most dynamic major art institutions in America. Our collection of more than 30,000 objects features a broad spectrum of visual arts, including painting and sculpture; prints and drawings; photographs; architectural casts, renderings, and models; decorative arts and design; and film, video, and digital imagery. Through our programming, exhibitions, and publications, we frequently explore the role of art and artists in confronting key social issues of our time, combining and juxtaposing local and global perspectives.  With our unique history and resources, we strive to become a leader in defining the role of art museums for the 21st century. Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is interested in candidates who, through their experience and collaborations, will contribute to diversity and excellence of the Carnegie Museums community.

This Temporary Full-Time position is eligible for the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh's many Benefits.  

Please scroll to the bottom of this page to see information on the starting pay rate.

The Curatorial Assistant, Carnegie International works closely with the Curator(s) of the 59th Carnegie International (opening in 2026), as a critical member of the core team entrusted to surface the storied initiative's purpose and possibility through research, dialogue, partnership, learning, commissions, public programs, and exhibition. Founded in 1896, the Carnegie International is one of the longest running exhibitions of international art in the world. Organized every four years by Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museum of Art, each International makes inquiry into the art and ideas that shape our time. Building on the success of recent editions, the next Carnegie International will move the museum in meaningful and inspired directions that connect its artistic program to the world.

In consultation with the 59th Carnegie International Curator(s), the Curatorial Assistant will contribute to and coordinate the research, development, and implementation of a dynamic, large-format, international exhibition of contemporary art. The successful candidate serves as project administrator and thought partner, and ensures that all aspects of the exhibition are organized in an efficient and intentional manner across institutional functions, including but are not limited to, organizing artist site visits, assisting in the development and maintenance of the exhibition checklist and timeline, facilitating artwork production and presentation, publishing, development, press and marketing, and acquisitions. In addition to gaining the experience of exhibition-making conversant with international contexts, the Curatorial Assistant will benefit from engagement with colleagues in the museum's wider curatorial department-with expertise in Contemporary Art, Photography, European and American Art, Architecture, and Decorative Arts and Design-as well as those in education and public programs.

This is a Full-Time, Temporary Position. The term of position ends February 26, 2027.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Candidate should have a bachelor's degree (master's preferred) in art history, curatorial studies, visual and/or aural culture, or comparable degree in a related field or at least two years of administrative experience, preferably in a museum or comparable organization.
• Experience with collections work and familiarity with international art contexts are a plus.
• Good command of a language in addition to English is also preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES: 

• Candidate must be able to initiate, undertake, and complete tasks and projects as they arise in a timely manner and contribute to content development of exhibitions and collection presentations.
• Candidate must be a problem solver, have strong research and analytical skills, ability to work collegially across departments, and interface professionally with donors and colleagues in the field.
• Candidate must be highly organized and able to work both independently and as a productive member of a team.
• Strong written and oral communication skills are essential.
• The candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Office programs (SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint) and is expected to gain familiarity with Asana, an online project management system, and KE Emu, a collection management system.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work is primarily sedentary in nature.
• Some out-of-town travel and occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
• Ability to drive a car is beneficial.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Conducts research and writes for exhibition and collection-related purposes, including but not limited to in-gallery and catalogue texts, website content, and various reports.
• Manages CI59 project timeline; maintains and updates the exhibition's project deadlines and milestones in museum's project management system, Asana.
• Schedules meetings, books travel arrangements, and creates itineraries as requested; travels with CI59 Co-Curator for research, if necessary.
• Drafts meeting agendas, produces meeting minutes, and circulates to appropriate staff.
• Manages site visit arrangements for artists, advisors, designers, and other professionals.
• Creates, updates, and maintains exhibition checklist. Works with curators, registrars, and participating artists to prepare and track loan requests.
• In consultation with CI59 Curator(s), works with the Design and Publishing team to manage exhibition publication(s) as well as in-gallery texts
• Organizes files and maintains records, correspondence, and other documents in accordance with museum's archive and data retention policy. In consultation CI59 Curator(s), implements improvements in accordance with accepted procedures, destroys outdated file materials or transfers them to inactive storage.  
• Manages CI59 correspondence and directs inquiries to appropriate colleagues; follows up as required. Handles written correspondence in consultation with the curators.
• Assists in facilitation and communication between museum teams and artists as it relates to the development and implementation of the exhibition and checklist.
• Develops proficiency with museum's exhibitions and collections management system KE EMu; inputs and updates information according to museum standards and generates reports and other documents using the system.
• Contributes and assists in the planning and implementation of exhibition-related events, as needed.
• Prepares and delivers internal and public presentations as needed in consultation with CI59 Curator(s).
• Works closely with the Exhibitions team to track the exhibition budget, helping to keep the project within the approved and established budget. Keeps accurate records of all project expenses; checks records against monthly statements; resolves discrepancies; submits invoices, check requests, and wire transfers; and produces reports as required.
• Verifies, codes, and processes business credit card payments, invoices, check requests, travel and entertainment reimbursements, and wire transfers in a timely manner.
• Contributes to planning and implementation of exhibition-related events as needed.
• Performs private and public exhibition tours, as scheduled and requested.
• Prepares outgoing mail and interdepartmental correspondence for delivery. 
• Purchases or sources research materials.
• Undertakes other projects and related tasks at the request of the CI59 Curator(s).

The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.
Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer - Minorities / Females / Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity
The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.   
*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:   The Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities.  An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a job with or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job.  When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additional guidance on essential functions follows below.  Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive.  If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the function is rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function?  The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often?  Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job?  If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential.  G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it?  If so, it is more likely to be essential.