Assistant Curator

awe; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Art Bridges Foundation is seeking an Assistant Curator in Bentonville, Arkansas (onsite). The role supports research, development, and stewardship of collection-based sharing projects, developing interpretive content and facilitating placements with partner museums.

Collaboration across departments strengthens exhibitions and access to American art. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong research, communication, organization, and collaborative skills, with the ability to manage multiple

Qualifications

• Strong research, communication, organization, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work both independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Manage, solicit, and support the placement of works from the collection with partner museums.
• Conduct scholarly and object-based research to support the collection, loans, exhibitions, and publications.
• Contribute curatorial expertise to collection development and acquisitions.

Skills

Research skills

Communication skills

Organization skills

Collaboration skills

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Curator

Reports to: Curator

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Location: Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site)

Date Reviewed: 08/27/2026

About Art Bridges

Art Bridges Foundation is the vision of philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton. Since 2017, Art Bridges has created and supported projects that bring outstanding works of American art out of storage and into communities. Art Bridges partners with a growing network of over 200 museums of all sizes and locations on nearly 900 projects-impacting more than 5.3 million people across 49 states and Puerto Rico-to provide financial and strategic support for exhibition development, loans from the Art Bridges Collection and Partner Loan Network, and programs designed to educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local audiences. The Art Bridges Collection represents an expanding vision of American art from the 19th century to present day and encompasses multiple media and voices. For more information, visit artbridgesfoundation.org.

About the Position

The Assistant Curator supports the research, development, and stewardship of collection-based art sharing projects and curatorial initiatives. This role conducts scholarly and object-based research, develops curatorial and interpretive content, supports collection development and acquisitions, and contributes to the placement of works from the collection with partner museums in alignment with established curatorial priorities.

Working collaboratively across departments and with external stakeholders, the Assistant Curator contributes curatorial expertise to projects and initiatives that advance art-sharing, expand access to American art, and support partner museums. The role builds and maintains effective relationships with museum partners, artists, scholars, and other stakeholders while contributing to the research, interpretation, and activation of a growing collection of American art.

Success in this role requires strong research, communication, organization, and collaboration skills, along with demonstrated knowledge of American art and curatorial practice. The role also requires sound judgment, attention to detail, diplomacy, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while working both independently and collaboratively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Collection and Curatorial Initiatives

• Manage, solicit, and support the placement of works from the collection with new and existing partner museums in coordination with appropriate internal teams.
• Conduct scholarly and object-based research to support the collection, collection loans, acquisitions, exhibitions, publications, and other curatorial initiatives.
• Contribute curatorial expertise, research, and support to collection development, acquisitions, interpr