Assistant Curator, Prints & Drawings and Arts of Asia

Industry: Curatorial

Company: Art Institute of Chicago

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
• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
• Great employee discounts
• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

Salary Grade 7

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENTS

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, 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.

Formally established in 1921, the department of Arts of Asia holds one of the largest Asian art collections in North America, consisting of nearly 30,000 objects that span five millennia and represent all artistic traditions of the entire continent. Distinguished artworks include Hindu and Buddhist sculpture; Chinese jades, bronzes, ceramics, and paintings; Japanese screens and woodblock prints-one of the finest assemblages in the world; Korean celadon; and Indian and Persian miniature paintings. The department currently employs five full time curators, a director of curatorial administration, a specialist, a technician, and an administrative coordinator, as well as a regular turnover of training fellows, interns and volunteers.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under the supervision of the Rothman Family Curator, Prints and Drawings, in collaboration with the Pritzker Chair, Arts of Asia, the assistant curator supports the departments of Prints and Drawings and Arts of Asia in caring for, researching, producing content on, interpreting, and displaying the areas of specialty within the departmental collections. The assistant curator shares responsibility and connoisseurship for global contemporary and contemporary Asian art, keeps abreast of the art market, recommends acquisitions and deaccessions to their supervisors, and supports the development of exhibition proposals for the museum.

The assistant curator supports the strategic vision of the departments and helps to enhance the visibility and reputation of the museum and to develop community interest and support for areas of specialty within the departmental collections. As appropriate, the assistant curator consults with other departments on acquisitions, exhibitions, gallery rotations, content production, and programming.

The assistant curator communicates clearly and consistently with departmental colleagues about projects and timelines; and collaborates with departmental interns, fellows, and volunteers. The assistant curator engages in a collaborative role with Conservation and Science and Collections and Loans to review treatments and foster best practices for maintaining the areas of specialty within the collection. All of these efforts are supported by the assistant curator’s collaboration with the philanthropy team to cultivate relationships with donors, collectors, and committee members, as appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Collection growth and care: Under the guidance of the Rothman Family Curator, Prints and Drawings, and Pritzker Chair, Arts of Asia, evaluates the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of areas of specialty within the collection; keeps abreast of the market, current scholarship, and legal and ethical issues in the field; works with dealers; recommends acquisitions and deaccessions; cultivates relationships with donors; supports the maintenance and cataloguing of records, documentation, and research; supports collection management through cataloguing, database upkeep, website publication, and object care and movement; ensures the safety and stability of the collection and loans; consults with Conservation and Science and Collections and Loans on the general physical condition, treatment, storage, and display of the collection; considers loans; and responds to related external and internal inquiries.

Research and scholarship: Carries out original research that results in art historical scholarship; produces collection and provenance research, documentation, and content; actively builds object files, maintains object database records, and publishes new research findings online; liaises with colleagues to develop compelling narratives, programs, and content for broad audience engagement and to determine appropriate medium for sharing content, including digital platforms, in-gallery didactics, or print. Under the guidance of their supervisors and, as appropriate, pursues opportunities through scholarly publications, conferences, teaching, and lecturing. As needed, responds to external inquiries about the collection.

Philanthropy and stewardship: Under the guidance of their supervisors and in consultation with colleagues in External Affairs, assists with the stewardship and cultivation of donors and the museum’s fundraising efforts. When appropriate, advises collectors and engages them in the museum’s vision; and maintains accurate information on donors’ collections. Cultivates and maintains relationships with dealers, galleries, auction houses, and peers. Assists with the preparation for curatorial advisory committee meetings, including the agenda, supporting materials, research and justifications, and presentations.

Exhibitions: Under the guidance of their supervisors and, as appropriate, may help to conceptualize and propose exhibitions and plan the research, development, organization, installation, and related publication and interpretive materials for exhibitions and gallery installations according to museum standards, budgets, and guidelines. Under the guidance of the exhibition team, and as outlined in museum procedures, contributes to the relevant curatorial duties required of curatorial departments in the exhibition development process. Maintains relationships with peer museums, institutions, and cultural agencies with the potential for exhibition loans and partnerships.

Visibility and audience outreach: Collaborates with colleagues to create innovative, compelling, and accessible interpretive content and programming to enhance engagement; serves as an expert on the areas of specialty within the collection and acts as a museum representative through lectures, interviews, tours, and conferences. Cultivates a presence in creative communities across Chicago and beyond, and supports the departmental vision to promote international visibility and recognition in the field through external studio and gallery visits, exhibition openings, and contributions to scholarship; may participate in the museum’s robust university and fellowship programs and support the training of fellows and interns through teaching and mentoring. As needed, may review and provide feedback on marketing and communications related to departmental collection. Encourages access to museum resources and collection for historians, scholars, universities, art professionals, and other peers; and responds to external inquiries from scholars, curators, and peers as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer; must be able to remain in a stationary position 90% of the time.
• 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

• Advanced degree in art history or equivalent experience required
• Experience working in museums, galleries, and/or other curatorial capacities required; minimum of two to three years of experience required
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google suites required; ability to learn museum-specific collection database
• Knowledge of foreign languages as appropriate to areas of specialty
• The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
  • a broad art historical foundation;
  • a record of scholarly achievement in areas of specialty;
  • expertise, experience, and interest in pursuing a distinct area or areas relevant to expanding areas of the collection;
  • a willingness to embrace the museum’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution;
  • an open-minded and collaborative approach to working and communicating with all colleagues across the museum;
  • and outstanding communication skills that demonstrate both scholarly ability and interest in public engagement.

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.