Curatorial Assistant

The Phillips Collection; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 47,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Life insurance

Retirement plan

PTO

AAM membership

Capital Bikeshare

Flexible spending accounts

Voluntary programs

Job summary

The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC is seeking a Curatorial Assistant to provide essential administrative, research, and project support to the Chief Curator and to contribute to the work of the Curatorial Department.

You will assist with exhibitions, installations, and publications, conduct research, organize bibliographies, prepare materials, and communicate with dealers, galleries, and artists while helping to advance the museum’s mission and programs.

Qualifications

• BA in Art History or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 1–2 years of prior museum experience.
• Superior research and analytical skills.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Keen attention to detail, accuracy, and problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across the institution.
• Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; French desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the research, planning, organization, and implementation of exhibitions and installations.
• Research, draft, edit, and proofread interpretive materials, wall texts, and publications.
• Create and maintain exhibition checklists and graphics, including Virtual Gallery work.
• Support reports, presentations, articles, lectures, and preparations for publications.
• Coordinate meetings and notes; assist with acquisitions program and communications with dealers, galleries, artists.
• Answer inquiries, conduct gallery tours, and participate in public programs.

Skills

Superior research skills

Analytical skills

Excellent oral communication

Excellent written communication

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Independent work

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

French (desirable)

Education

BA in Art History or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Curatorial Assistant

Washington, DC, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1361

Salary Range: $47,000.00 To $50,000.00 Annually

POSITION OBJECTIVE:

The Curatorial Assistant provides essential administrative, research, and project support to the Chief Curator and contributes to the work of the Curatorial Department. The individual supports exhibitions and installations, art historical research, publications, acquisitions, arts committee activities, and other special projects that advance the Museum’s mission as a welcoming home for all where the vision and spirit of artists thrive in intimate settings.

This full-time position includes full benefit eligibility: medical, dental, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, LTD (long-term disability), retirement, PTO (paid time off), AAM membership, Capital Bikeshare, voluntary programs, and more.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Exhibitions, Installations , and Publications

• Assist with the research, planning, organization, and implementation of exhibitions and installations organized by the Chief Curator.
• Conduct, scan, organize, and track research and bibliographies using online databases and in-person visits to local libraries and archives.
• Research, draft, edit, and proofread interpretive materials, including image files, wall texts, extended object labels, blog posts, and website/app content.
• Assist in creating and maintaining exhibition checklists, layouts, and graphics, including work on the Virtual Gallery platform.
• Support the preparation of reports, presentations, articles, lectures, and publications.

Departmental Coordination and Meetings

• Assist in planning and facilitating departmental and interdepartmental meetings, including acquisitions and loans meetings, arts committee board meetings, and team meetings.
• Take and circulate clear, accurate meeting notes.
• Support the acquisitions program through tracking, artist and object research, creation of collection files, writing object justifications for board books, preparing PowerPoint presentations, and communicating with dealers, galleries, collectors, and artists.

Public and Stakeholder Engagement

• Answer inquiries, conduct gallery tours and talks, and participate in public programs.
• Support the Chief Curator’s efforts to steward relationships with members, donors, patrons, artists, and museum audiences.
• Assist with communications with colleagues, donors, partners, and lenders, including loan correspondence, loan forms, and deeds of gift.
• Help gather, draft, proofread copy for marketing and advancement materials—such as grants, press releases, prospectuses, and member magazine content—to promote the collection, exhibitions, and institutional initiatives.

Administrative and Logistical Support

• Coordinate meetings, travel, and appointments for the Chief Curator.
• Process invoices and payment requisitions.
• Coordinate logistical needs for external visitors (artists, curators, advisors), including arranging travel, lodging, and meals.
• Establish and maintain professional contacts within the local, national, and international arts community while staying current with new scholarship and issues in the field.
• Work collaboratively on curatorial and museum-wide initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA in Art History or a related field required; advanced degree with expertise in modern and contemporary art preferred.
• One to two years of prior museum experience.
• Superior research and analytical skills.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Keen attention to detail, accuracy, and problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively across all levels of the institution.
• Ability to work effectively with staff, arts professionals, artists, and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, coordinate multiple complex projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Strong sense of accountability for achieving strategic priorities and goals.
• Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in French desirable.

The requisition for this job closes September 8, 2026. After that interviews will commence with the fitting applicants.

The Phillips Collection is an equal opportunity employer and administers all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, veteran status, personal appearance, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Employment at The Phillips Collection is at-will. At-will means that you may terminate your employment at any time for any reason with or without notice and that The Phillips may terminate your employment at any time for any reason.