Curatorial Assistant

Glenstone Museum; Potomac (MD); On-site; USD 49,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) matching

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Glenstone Museum in Potomac, MD seeks a Curatorial Assistant to support the curatorial team through research, planning, and execution of exhibitions and related publications.

The role involves coordinating with Visitor Experience, publishers, artists, and staff to advance Glenstone’s scholarly initiatives while providing administrative support and formal communication with lenders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or related field.
• 1–3 years professional experience in a modern/contemporary art museum, gallery, or academic setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a team environment.
• Exemplary writing and public presentation skills.
• Strong cultural competence, interpersonal communication, planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent administrative skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide exhibition support from research and development through realization, including research related to artworks in the collection.
• Perform independent object research and craft original writing for exhibitions and wall labels.
• Communicate with artists and their representatives to plan and execute installations, including checklists, budgets, and instructions.
• Prepare and circulate formal correspondence to lenders, artists, essayists, and vendors.
• Provide tours and support programming and events, including public talks.
• Support publication production by proofreading texts and coordinating edits with design.

Skills

Writing

Public speaking

Organizational skills

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or related field

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

InDesign

Illustrator

Job description

An Introduction to Glenstone Museum

Founded with the mission to seamlessly integrate art, architecture, and nature, Glenstone is a world-class contemporary art museum in Potomac, Maryland. Opened in 2006 and expanded in 2018, the museum welcomes visitors to a unique experience of indoor and outdoor spaces enveloped by 300 acres of organically maintained meadow and woodlands. Admission is always free.

Position

Curatorial Assistant

Reports To

Associate Curator

Salary Range

$49,000 - $64,000 per year

Position Overview

Reporting to the Associate Curator, the Curatorial Assistant will assist the curatorial team with a variety of projects related to Glenstone’s exhibition program. Primary duties include leading and assisting with the research, organization, planning, and execution of exhibitions and installations; aiding with the development of museum publications and programs, both print and digital; conducting research on artists for special projects; and leading coordination with the Visitor Experience department to execute Glenstone’s internal training program. Specific projects will require independent coordination and oversight. This position will contribute to a range of scholarly projects and exhibition-related initiatives while providing administrative support that helps advance departmental goals and priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide exhibition support from research and development through realization, including research relevant to the understanding, history, use, loan, display, and care of artworks in the collection.
• Perform independent object research and craft original writing related to exhibitions, including curatorial statements, fact sheets, wall labels, didactics, web text, and more.
• Communicate directly with artists and their representatives to plan and execute installations, including preparing associated checklists, budgets, and instructions.
• Prepare and circulate formal correspondence to lenders, artists, essayists, and other key vendors.
• Provide tours of the museum and grounds to members of the public and support programming and event production, including giving public talks.
• Support publication production by reviewing editorial changes, proofreading interim and final texts, color correcting, and ensuring edits are accurately incorporated and relayed to design.
• Manage publication rights and reproduction requests and tracking, layout and photography coordination, and vendor supervision on-site at the museum.
• Provide the Visitor Experience team with information on relevant artists and artworks, support refresher sessions, and digitize research relevant to works on view. In addition, coordinate staff training dates.
• Prepare PowerPoints and lead staff training on artists, artwork and content on view, including preparing material to be hosted on Glenstone’s internal training program.
• Support the Communications team by reviewing and approving copy for web, social, and other media.
• Manage vendors including photographers, printers, designers, copyeditors, publishers, and distributors.
• Create full and small-scale maquettes as required for exhibition planning.
• Assist with day-to-day financial operations such as processing invoices, reimbursables and other operational needs.
• Address inquiries from the public and scholars as assigned.
• Coordinate department meetings through Microsoft Outlook, prepare minutes, and manage food service when applicable.
• Assist with preparation of presentation materials for internal and external engagements.
• Coordinate mailings and provide administrative support for departmental activities as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Desired Attributes & Characteristics

The ideal candidate will possess strong art historical knowledge with a focus on post-war and contemporary art and artists, exceptional organizational skills, a heightened sense of discretion, and the ability to work quickly under tight deadlines. Strong writing skills and a keen eye for detail are critical for success in this role. The candidate must have the ability to multitask, balance competing deadlines, and exhibit patience and flexibility in the face of evolving goals and deliverables. A passion for contemporary art and an embrace of the spirit of teamwork will be critical.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or similar.
• 1-3 years professional experience working in a modern and contemporary art museum, gallery, or academic setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work well in a team environment.
• Exemplary writing and public presentation skills.
• Strong cultural competence, interpersonal communication, planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent administrative skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience researching and writing on modern and contemporary art.
• Demonstrated experience assisting with or coordinating the production of art publications, with a focus on editorial work.
• Experience supporting project management in a team setting, particularly working on the delivery of several projects concurrently.
• Experience working with living artists and artists’ estates.
• Familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style.
• Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and related programs.

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time position. Glenstone offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and provides a total benefits package that helps you manage your health, protect your income, and prepare for the future. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; life, long-term disability and AD&D insurance, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA); a 401(k)-retirement account with a matching contribution; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); and tuition reimbursement.

Glenstone is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.