Research Associate, Prints and Drawings

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.
We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Generous paid time off
• Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
• Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
• Great employee discounts
• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

Position Summary
The Art Institute of Chicago's collection of Prints and Drawings comprises works on paper from the thirteenth century to the present. The collection holds approximately 15,000 drawings, 40,000 prints, 1,000 illustrated books, and continues to grow with a focus on global practitioners. Particular strengths are French 19th-century Prints and Drawings; British, French, and Italian drawings; strong collections of Albrecht Dürer, Hendrick Goltzius and Dutch Mannerism, Rembrandt van Rijn, Francisco Goya, and James McNeill Whistler, and twentieth-century American prints. The Glore Study Room welcomes scholars, students, and the general public, hosting classes and individual visitors and Jean and Steven Goldman Galleries present three exhibitions per year, focusing on the strengths of the collection.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Under the direction of the curators, the Research Associate assists with research, writing, and content production for the departmental collection, exhibitions, gallery rotations, and installations; conducts art historical and art market research; investigates ownership, publication, and exhibition histories for objects; maintains and updates object database records; supports the departmental goals in publishing research about the collection online; and responds to research-related inquiries from scholars, peers, and the public.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Research: Provides curatorial research support for the departmental collection, exhibitions, loans, acquisitions, and gifts; investigates ownership, publication, and exhibition histories for objects; produces acquisition justifications, interpretive content, and exhibition-related materials; conducts art historical and art market research about and related to objects in the permanent collection, loans, and potential acquisitions; produces and ensures accuracy of information presented in the galleries, online, and in the departmental object files and records; and fields requests and inquiries from scholars, peers, and the public.
Curatorial support: Updates museum database with research findings; as needed, assists with metadata tagging in museum database; participates in the departmental efforts to publish all objects online with comprehensive information. Supports the research for and the preparation of materials for advisory committee meetings. Under the direction of the curators, may support various aspects of developing and implementing exhibitions, rotations, installations, and projects as assigned.
Audience outreach: As needed, gives gallery tours and lectures on the departmental collection and exhibitions; and participates in scholarly symposia and conferences related to collection and exhibition research.
Qualifications
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
⋅ Occasionally moves about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
⋅ Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and printer.
⋅ Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and the ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.
⋅ Occasionally handles art.
QUALIFICATIONS
⋅ Master's degree in art history or related subject required
⋅ Minimum of two years of relevant research and/or museum experience required
⋅ Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google suites required; ability to learn museum-specific collection database systems
⋅ Knowledge of foreign languages as appropriate preferred
⋅ Familiarity with or specialization in Prints and Drawings preferred
⋅ The successful candidate should:

• • be highly detail-oriented and organized;
  • demonstrate initiative;
  • embrace the museum's commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution;
  • have an open-minded and collaborative approach to working and communicating with all colleagues across the museum;
  • and have strong research, writing, communication, multitasking, project management, and organizational skills.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace. We believe in a staff culture that benefits from a wide range of experience, backgrounds, and career paths, and we encourage nontraditional candidates to apply.
Salary Grade 6
This is a Special Projects Temporary position. Assignment Start: 12/1/2023*
Assignment End: 12/1/2026*
Benefits
We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Generous paid time off
• Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
• Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
• Great employee discounts
• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions
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Closing Statement
The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.
Union Info
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31