Assistant Curator

Brooklyn Public Library; United States; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Benefits-eligible

Job summary

Brooklyn Public Library is hiring an Assistant Curator for the Center for Brooklyn History, a three-year grant-funded role to develop a major multi-floor exhibition opening in 2028. You will help map narratives, draft texts, and research Brooklyn's history, collaborating with expert partners and CBH staff.

The position emphasizes object selection, storytelling, and exhibition marketing, with a hybrid work model requiring on-site presence three days per week and additional events as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in history, public history, collections management, museum studies or related field.
• 3-5 years' experience with history exhibition curation.
• Demonstrated experience writing for public audiences (with samples).
• Strong organizational and task management skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and with a team.
• Record of published/peer-reviewed research preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conceptual and narrative mapping.
• Drafting exhibition text.
• Conducting and summarizing primary- and secondary-source research.
• Assisting and advising throughout the exhibition design process.
• Consulting experts and key stakeholders.
• Object selection, curation, and storytelling.
• Participating in exhibition marketing and communication.
• Maintaining the exhibition object checklist.
• Managing project timeline.
• Coordinating and communicating with internal and external partners to ensure key deliverables are completed on time.
• Working within exhibitions team to maintain and optimize communications and workflow within CBH departments.
• Helping to manage interns/part time consultants working on the exhibition.
• Other management tasks as they arise.

Skills

Organizational skills

Project management

Team collaboration

Public writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

We offer thousands of free programs every day for people from all walks of life—immigrants learning a new language, aspiring entrepreneurs launching their dreams, children discovering the world, people of all ages exploring arts and culture. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the discovery of a good book.

Now's your chance to join the best team in Brooklyn!

The Center for Brooklyn History (CBH) is Brooklyn Public Library's nationally recognized research library and public history institution. Free and open to all, CBH provides visitors with dynamic ways to connect with Brooklyn's story through its historical collections, enlightening programs, educational resources, and wide-ranging exhibitions.

The Center for Brooklyn History seeks to hire a full time, grant funded Assistant Curator role for three years to assist CBH in developing an ambitious and visionary project: a permanent, multi floor exhibition dedicated to the rich and inspiring history of Brooklyn. Scheduled to open in 2028, this exhibition will explore Brooklyn's evolving communities, its role in American history, and its cultural and economic contributions from centuries past to today. A dedicated children's section will offer interactive experiences to engage young visitors and support our educational programs.

As part of the curatorial team for this exhibition, the Assistant Curator will draw from both generations of existing scholarship and engage with cutting edge current research on Brooklyn's growth and development, as well as shine a light on the collection of the Center for Brooklyn History, the largest and most comprehensive source of Brooklyn related materials anywhere in the world.

Responsibilities

• Conceptual and narrative mapping
• Drafting exhibition text
• Conducting and summarizing primary- and secondary-source research
• Assisting and advising throughout the exhibition design process.
• Consulting experts and key stakeholders
• Object selection, curation, and storytelling
• Participating in exhibition marketing and communication

Key project management functions

• Maintaining the exhibition object checklist
• Managing project timeline
• Coordinating and communicating with internal and external partners to ensure key deliverables are completed on time
• Working within exhibitions team to maintain and optimize communications and workflow within CBH departments
• Helping to manage interns/part time consultants working on the exhibition
• Other management tasks as they arise

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field required (history, public history, collections management, museum studies); Master's degree strongly preferred
• 3-5 years' experience with history exhibition curation
• Demonstrated experience writing for public audiences (with samples)
• Strong organizational and task management skills
• Ability to work effectively both independently and with a team
• Demonstrated research engagement with topics, events, and themes in Brooklyn history
• Experience in marketing and communications and/or professional project management experience preferred
• Record of published/peer-reviewed research preferred

Compensation

This is a temporary (2026-2029) full-time, benefits-eligible, non-union position. The salary range for this position is $70-80K. This is a hybrid position with a minimum of 3 days on-site with the availability to be present as needed for additional events on some nights and weekends.

We seek professionals dedicated to providing excellent customer service, developing fruitful partnerships in the community, and implementing programs aligned with our mission and vision. You will be immersed in a motivating and challenging environment where innovation is key to the organization. If you are looking to be a part of a stimulating workplace that is highly regarded by its culturally diverse community, BPL is the place to be.

Brooklyn Public Library is an equal opportunity employer.