Curatorial Assistant, Photography

Department of Photography at MoMA:
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) began collecting modern photography in 1930 and established the Department in 1940. The Museum's holdings of more than 25,000 works constitute one of the most important collections of modern and contemporary photography in the world. As diverse as photography itself, the Collection includes works not only by artists, but also by journalists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and amateurs.
Position summary:
MoMA's Photography Department is currently accepting applications for a Curatorial Assistant to assist senior curatorial staff in all areas of their responsibilities, including administrative work in the context of curatorial functions such as research for exhibitions and publications, loans, acquisitions, collection records bibliographic and biographical records and files, and general curatorial inquiries. Collaborates on exhibition catalogs and other publications, answers general curatorial inquiries, and helps coordinate meetings of the Committee on Photography.
Additional responsibilities include:

• Performs the duties of exhibitions assistant, including research on artists, periods, styles, specific works, locations of works, photograph sources, etc. Assists in preparing checklists from compilation to data entry; coordinating and scheduling work to be done within the Museum in such areas as conservation, photography, public information, matting and framing, construction, lighting, etc.
• Assists with the writing and preparation of wall labels, introduction texts, press releases.
• Contributes to the exhibition catalog as assigned by the senior curator.
• Researches the Museum collection and archives under senior staff supervision, and answers related inquiries from the public and scholars.
• Performs work in relation to care of the collection and arranges for custodial, registration, and preparation work as required by the curatorial staff in the maintenance of the collection in gallery, study, and storage areas.
• Conducts weekly inspection of the works on view in temporary exhibitions and collection galleries, and assists with follow-up arrangements in the event of damage, deterioration, etc.
• Participates in meetings of the Committee on Photography, prepares blurbs on acquisitions new to the Museum Collection and presents works to the Committee.
• Assists in organizing Public Programs.
• Answers inquiries and conducts some gallery tours as necessary for visitors.
• Researches the Museum Collection under senior staff supervision, and answers related inquiries from the public and scholars.
• Keeps informed of current activity in the area of departmental interests through gallery and Museum visits, publications, etc. and conveys observations to the senior staff.
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in art history, master's degree preferred, with a photography history or modern and contemporary art history background, relevant work experience and competence within area of departmental interest.
• Demonstrated strong research capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written; superior presentation skills; sound judgment.
• Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills.
• Highly motivated.
• Strict attention to detail, rigorous approach to tasks, ability prioritize and multitask.
• Excellent computer skills.
• High level of enthusiasm to work with a curatorial team.
• Ability to manage more than one project at a time and to consistently meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of one language in addition to English preferred.

Reports to: Senior curatorial titles as assigned
Salary: The salary for this position is $66,549 per annum
Application instructions: To apply, please visit MoMA Jobs. Applicants should submit a resume and a statement of interest. Applications without cover letters will not be considered. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a deadline of January 12, 2024.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement: Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law ("NYCHRL").
This is a unionized position at MoMA with covered employees represented by Local 2110, UAW, AFL-CIO.