JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:                           Curatorial Assistant                  

DEPARTMENT:              IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA)

FLSA STATUS:              Hourly

REPORTS TO:               Chief Curator

SUPERVISES:                No

Position is Grant Funded with the funding scheduled to end as of: March 1, 2028.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Curatorial Assistant reports to the museum’s Chief Curator and supports the museum’s ambitous exhibitions program. S/he/they is/are responsible for a variety of curatorial and administrative tasks, including exhibition research; assisting with planning, organizing and developing exhibitions; managing contacts and correspondence; assisting with the coordination of catalogs, didactic materials, and exhibition documentation; and writing and editing exhibition-related copy. Occasionally s/he/they assist(s) with exhibition installation and registration activities. In addition, the Curatorial Assistant may have the opportunity to generate original exhibitions. Complies with IAIA’s vision, mission, and core values.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS

• Conducts curatorial research for contemporary Native art exhibitions and publications.
• Works with artists, collectors, museums, and MoCNA staff to facilitate art loans and assists with writing loan agreements and other art loan related documents.
• Obtains permissions and copyright clearance for images and maintains accurate credit lines.
• Assists with the maintenance of accurate exhibition checklists, image files, lenders, and other exhibition details.
• Helps create, coordinate, and edit exhibition descriptions and didactic materials such as wall text, labels, and newsletter and website content.
• Helps to enusure accuracty of information on all MoCNA publications, in print and online.
• Provides general curatorial support for the Chief Curator; exhibition team; and guest curators.
• Working with the Exhibition Coordinator/Preparator, provides logistical and administrative support in coordinating exhibitions, including traveling exhibitions; and occasionally helps with exhibition design and installation tasks.
• Assists with photo documentation of exhibitions and individual artworks.
• Assists with managing exhibitions budget and exhibition-related grant budgets.
• Assists with gathering and writing exhibition-related information pertinent to grant applications, final reports, and other institutional needs.
• Provides tours of the exhibitions to individuals, dignitaries, donors, members, schools, etc.
• Participates in, and assists with, staff training on exhibitions, as required.
• Assists with coordination of logisitical needs for artist or curator visits.
• Assists with distribution of publications and creating mailing lists.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Graduate degree in a related field. Some museum or gallery experience and publication record. Some experience working within a Native American cultural and higher education context.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of issues and concerns in contemporary Native American arts, culture, and education.
• Some curation background in the area of contemporary art/contemporary Native Art.
• Background in the development of written exhibition didactic/educational materials and catalogue texts.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Highly developed writing and copy editing skills.
• Experience in social media and internet applications and general office computer applications.
• Strong oral communication skills and confidence in public speaking.
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with staff, trustees, artists, arts professionals, and the public.
• ·       Must possess skills in establishing priorities, coordinating multiple complex projects simultanesoulsy and meeting deadlines, while paying attention to detail.
• ·       Ability to work without supervision, to complete projects independently (as assigned).
• Work effectively and efficiently in a highly collaborative work environment.
• Adhere to appropriate standards of conduct and ethics, including but not limited to: confidentiality; integrity and honesty; compliance with directives, including all IAIA policies/procedures; exhibit ability to adapt to changing work environments; cooperate, collaborate and work respectfully with others; participate in pro-active problem solving; regularly attend to job duties and participate in meetings as required; and refrain from engaging in any behavior that is not professional and/or appropriate in a professional work environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to view, read, and/or interpret a wide range of basic to complex information related to contemporary Native Arts, museum curation and exhibitions, effectively/efficiently.
• Ability to use, with proficiency and without assistance, a wide range of computer applications, in order to complete essential functions.
• Ability to move and/or maneuver items weighing up to 15 lbs.
• This job description does not list all the duties of this position. 
• Management has the right to revise this job description at any time, with or without notice.
• Performance evaluation will include assessment of job performance and results as described herein.
• Must have a clean driving record, in order to be insurable to use an IAIA vehicle.
• Management has the right to revise this job description at any time, with or without notice.
• The job description is not a contract for employment.
• Salary range: $21.25/hour