The Princeton University Art Museum is seeking a Collection Research Specialist in Latin American Art, a one-year term position to research and catalogue works of art in the Princeton University’s collection of Latin American Art to create future opportunities for scholarship and teaching. The Collections Research Specialist will conduct a broad review of the collection, primarily focusing on twentieth-century works on paper and photographs, and complete deep object research, including object studies and comparison, provenance research, condition reporting, and review of style, culture, materials, and technique. The Collections Research Specialist will catalogue all findings in the Museum’s collections information system, which provides data for publication on the Museum’s website.
Responsibilities:
Reporting to Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, the Specialist will work closely with Museum curatorial, education, and information and technology staff, in consultation with faculty who may make use of these collections for teaching. Prioritization of research efforts will be determined with input from Museum colleagues, the Museum Director, and, potentially, a small working group of faculty. The Specialist will also help identify and engage subject area experts to work at Princeton and remotely in order to complete research on discrete objects within the collection.
- Review the Museum’s collection of approximately 250 works, in consultation with curatorial and education staff and prioritize areas of the collection for both primary and in-depth research, as well as examine additional campus holdings in order to develop integrated collections discovery information.
- Perform object research on culture and style, place, object use and context, materials, and provenance.
- Enter compiled research as new or revised data in The Museum System (TMS) in adherence with established standards and guidelines. Organize, compile, and digitize source documents as needed.
- Coordinate work of visiting subject area experts, based on needs of the collection and strengths in the field.
Qualifications:
- A doctorate in art history, anthropology, or another relevant discipline with a specialization in Latin American Art—especially from the twentieth century—is preferred; a master’s degree with clear evidence of advanced research skills and object handling experience is required.
- Two to four years demonstrated experience in object-based study of Latin American art is required, preferably in a museum setting.
- Research or published writing that establishes expertise in Latin American Art is required.
- Collection management experience and art handling skills are preferred.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills are required.
- A high degree of organization, self-motivation, and great attention to detail are critical.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff members and visiting experts are necessary.
- The final candidate for this one year term position will be required to successfully pass a background check.
With a collecting history that extends back to 1755, the Princeton University Art Museum is one of the leading university art museums in the country, with collections that have grown to include more than 100,000 works ranging from ancient to contemporary art and spanning the globe. Its collections of Chinese painting, the art of the ancient Americas, and photography are widely regarded as being among the world’s finest.
A private institution serving the public good, the Museum is committed to serving the University, local and regional communities, and beyond through a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions, new scholarship, and innovative programming. By collaborating with experts across many disciplines, fostering sustained study of original works of art, and uniting scholarship with broad accessibility, the Museum contributes to the development of critical thinking and visual literacy at Princeton University and enhances the civic fabric of our nation.
The Museum also serves as a gateway to the University for more than 200,000 visitors from around the world each year. Intimate in scale yet expansive in scope, it offers a respite from the rush of daily life, a revitalizing experience of extraordinary works of art and an opportunity to delve deeply into the study of art and culture. The Museum is located at the heart of the Princeton campus, a short walk from the shops and restaurants of Nassau Street, and is free and open to the public.
To learn more about the Princeton University Art Museum, visit artmuseum.princeton.edu.
To apply, please go to Collections Research Specialist Latin American Art and post to requisition # 2018-8830.
Princeton University is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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