Job Description

Assistant Curators Of Modern And Contemporary Art

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is seeking to hire two Assistant Curators of Modern and Contemporary Art who will report to the Keith L. and Katherine Sachs Curator for Modern and Contemporary Art and Head of Department and will be an integral support to the team in the conceptualizing and realizing of an ambitious program of modern and contemporary exhibitions, commissions and displays.

Specifically, you will:

• Organize and/or coordinate special exhibitions, either individually or in collaboration with colleagues from the museum or peer institutions. This will involve all aspects of planning and implementation, from research and initial project management to budgeting and resource allocation, collaborating on the installation design, writing interpretation and supporting colleagues in developing a marketing plan to promote the exhibition.
• Offer ideas for new commissions, acquisitions, and displays of collection works in public spaces.
• Contribute research and writing for publications and support the publications team in all aspects of copy editing, image sourcing, copyright clearance and delivery.
• Work closely with the museum's conservation, collections management, and design team to ensure that works in the modern and contemporary collection are properly documented, conserved when treatment is needed, stored in a safe and accessible manner, and effectively displayed in the museum's galleries for the enjoyment of the public.
• Review loan requests received by the museum for works from the modern and contemporary collection and assess feasibility based on condition and recent loan history.
• Conduct research into the collection and related topics in discussion with the Head of the Department.
• Gather information on peer institutions, regarding collection rehanging in recent years that have demonstrated dynamic approaches to collection displays.

Identify, research and recommend works of art for potential acquisitions and provide supporting documentation to justify the gift or purchase. Research works being considered for deaccessioning. Work collaboratively with the Learning & Engagement team on drafting interpretive materials related to the collection. Contribute ideas for engaging and relevant public programs, bringing in key figures from the contemporary art world. Cultivate collectors and patrons to expand the current reach of the department. Cultivate relationships with local Philadelphian art communities and organizations, as well as with museums and galleries nationally and internationally. Develop, in consultation with the Department Head, a professional development plan to address any agreed-upon professional needs. Perform other duties as assigned.

Your background and experience include:

• A passion for and deep knowledge of modern and contemporary art and the key players in the field.
• A track record of working on innovative exhibitions and projects.
• Experience of how to identify institutional priorities, managing and inspiring people.
• Excellent organizational skills; detail oriented and highly competent at overseeing budgets and operations in a complex organization.
• A desire to invest in the regional community, its artists and its citizens.
• A commitment to broad public engagement and programming.
• Adept interpersonal skills; superb oral and written communication skills to present ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Diplomatic and collegial with political savvy and impeccable judgement and discretion.
• Strong personal integrity and work ethic, a positive attitude and a sense of perspective.
• Three years' relevant experience in the field.
• Master's degree desirable or equivalent professional experience.
• Previous experience with The Museum System (TMS) or other related museum collection software desirable.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint (or other presentation software) required.

Position and Compensation Details

• The salary for this position is $60,706.80.
• This position is Full-Time, Exempt, and 35 hours per week.
• This position is part of the AFSCME Local 397 bargaining unit.
• This position reports to The Keith L. and Katherine Sachs Curator for Modern and Contemporary Art and Head of Department.
• This position is required to be performed fully onsite at Philadelphia Museum of Art locations.
• Physical requirements:
• Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus.
• Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

Institutional Requirements

• Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
• Adheres to the museum's code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.
• Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum's staff, volunteers, and audiences.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.

Application Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.

What We Offer

Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:

• Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family
• Discounted guest tickets for admission
• Discounts on gift memberships
• Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
• Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafs, and museum retail and online stores

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees including:

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
• Health savings or flexible spending account program
• Retirement savings program with museum match
• Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

*Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee's regular schedule and tenure.

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