Woodruff Arts Center employees play an integral role in creating and supporting great art and education initiatives at the nation’s third largest arts center. Comprised of three Art Partners—Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and High Museum of Art—there’s a role for everyone at The Woodruff.

Reports to: Curator, Modern and Contemporary Art

FLSA: United States of America (Exempt)

Employment Status: Regular/Full time

POSITION SUMMARY:

The High Museum of Art is seeking a collaborative Assistant Curator for the department of Modern and Contemporary Art. Working with and reporting to the Wieland Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art will contribute to all aspects of the Museum’s curatorial program for modern and contemporary art. These efforts include assisting with tasks related to acquisitions, exhibitions, publications, and public programs. The department’s collection encompasses art from 1945 to the present, including more than 3,000 works in diverse media, across geographic locations, and cultures.

The collection includes outstanding examples of work by prominent artists from the mid-twentieth century and those who have expanded and challenged the canon of contemporary art, including emerging artists who suggest new directions for the future. The Assistant Curator will demonstrate a commitment to diversity, reflecting the High’s core values of growth, inclusivity, collaboration and connectivity, and will help to shape the museum’s identity as a forum for new narratives in contemporary art that embrace the complexity of experiences today.

Starting Salary: $59,000

REPONSIBLITIES:            

With direction from the Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Assistant Curator will help identify, research, and solicit support for acquisitions, working with colleagues in registration, conservation, installation, and development. Related tasks include cataloguing and data entry, budgeting and fund oversight, and collections care and conservation. Recognizing an area of recent growth, the Assistant Curator will also work with staff on the documentation, housing, and care of Time-Based Media.

The Assistant Curator will be expected to generate scholarship and to propose and organize original exhibitions and publications (including digital formats such the Museum’s LiNK forum), working closely with Education staff on the development of exhibition didactics and public programs. The Assistant Curator will also manage traveling exhibitions as assigned.  Further tasks include regular participation in docent training, conducting collection tours, presentations and talks, updating exhibition related documents, making and coordinating studio visits, and helping to foster and manage relationships with lenders, colleagues, artists, and patrons.

As a primary liaison for the department, the Assistant Curator will help develop and lead programs for the affinity group, Friends of Modern and Contemporary Art, and work contribute to building relationships in ATL’s metro-area stakeholder communities.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

• TMS data entry and management on an ongoing basis.
• Maintain correspondence with artists, galleries, donors, and others.
• Collaborate with colleagues in Accounting to track expenses and fund balances.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in Development on fundraising initiatives.
• Gather/edit information related to grant applications.
• Occasionally assist in organization and management of exhibition-related events.
• Supervise departmental interns.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• MA in Art, Art History, or a related degree required, expertise in post-1960 art is critical. Experience in Time-Based Media is desirable.
• Three or more years curatorial or museum experience required.
• Well-organized self-starter who is detail oriented and demonstrates excellent planning and implementation skills, as well as excellent time-management, problem-prevention and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional research and written communication skills required, along with the ability to function in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Ability to work independently, proactively, and enthusiastically with internal departments and external parties.
• Comprehensive verbal and written communication skills in English; second language (e.g. Spanish, Korean, German, or French) desirable.
• Familiarity with TMS, Trello, Excel, and Microsoft Office Suite highly desired.
• Exhibits sound judgment and diplomacy. Maintains discretion and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated commitment to HMA’s mission, vision, and inclusion initiatives, as well as an ability to represent the museum with a high level of integrity and professionalism in keeping with national standards for curatorial ethics.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Some standing, walking, bending, frequent use of hands, stooping and light lifting (at least 20 pounds) is needed
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Those interested may apply via the following link:

https://woodruffcenter.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/woodruffcenter/job/Assistant-Curator--Contemporary-Art_2024-0038