Curatorial Assistant, Artists-in-Residence and Performance

Crystal Bridges Museum Of American; Bentonville (AR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas seeks a Curatorial Assistant for Artists-in-Residence and Performance. The role supports residency and performance programs, coordinating housing, travel, and on-site needs while assisting with research, content development, and staff training.

You will draft program notes, wall texts, and catalogue entries, and help with internal/external share-outs, budgets, and contracts. A collaborative, discreet, organized professional is ideal.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in art history or related discipline and 1–2 years in a museum or similar setting.
• Knowledge of visual arts is required.
• Knowledge of performance across music, theatre, dance and time-based media is required.
• Experience working with artists is required.
• Proven ability in project coordination and meeting deadlines in fast-paced environments.
• Familiarity with TMS, EMS, Workday and Asana or ability to learn them.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• High ethics, confidentiality and discretion are essential.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key contact for artists in residency programs from invitation to residency completion.
• Coordinate housing, transportation, and on-site needs for residencies.
• Support research, content development, and program notes for residencies and performances.
• Draft marketing copy, wall texts, and catalogue entries under supervision.
• Lead tours and brief staff on program details; support budgets with partnering departments.
• Organize contracts, meetings, agendas, and minutes; archive project files.
• Assist with event production and cross-department collaboration.

Skills

Project coordination

Communication

Teamwork

Discretion

Education

BA in Art History or related

Tools

TMS

EMS

Workday

Asana

Job description

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization.Job Description:Job Title: Curatorial Assistant, Artists-in-Residence and PerformanceReports to: Curator, Artists-in-Residence and PerformanceFLSA Classification: Non-ExemptLocation: Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site)Date Reviewed: 10/26/26About Crystal Bridges & The MomentaryCrystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission. In June 2026, Crystal Bridges’ 114,000 square foot expansion opened to the public, allowing the museum to expand access for all.The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.About The PositionThe Curatorial Assistant, Artists-in-Residence and Performance is an integral member of the Curatorial team who contributes to the programmatic vision through curatorial and administrative support for Artists-in-Residence and Performance programs. The Curatorial Assistant supports an active team in the research, planning, and implementation of Artists-in-Residence and Performance activities across Crystal Bridges and the Momentary, including but not limited to Artist-in-Residency visitors and programs, exhibitions, festivals, artist talks, and special projects.Through curatorial research, producing, project coordination, administration, planning, and hosting, the Curatorial Assistant will be in regular communication with artists and their representatives, external contractors, and community partners. This position requires being knowledgeable of programs under the purview of the Artists-in-Residence and Performance programs and supporting connections between idea generation, audience experience, artist relations, and execution.A strong collaborative spirit, the ability to work independently, and interest in and experience with artist relations and performance are required.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesArtists-in-Residence and Performance SupportServe as a key point of contact for artists connected with residency programs, supporting the process from invitation through residency completion.Coordinate arrangements for artist residencies, including housing, transportation, community connections, and in-studio/on-site needs in collaboration with internal teams and departments.Implement the daily operations of residency programs.Schedule site visits, tours, and studio visits for teams and visitors.Support research and content development for ongoing projects and programs of artist residencies, commissions, presentations, and performances.Support writing, including program notes, program descriptions, marketing copy, wall texts, content guides for internal use, and catalogue entries.Deliver artist-led, public-facing opportunities under the supervision of the Curator.Support the design, development, and presentation of internal and external share-outs.Support development, maintenance, and monitoring of budgets in collaboration with partnering departments.Lead venue tours and brief staff and volunteers on program details.Provide organizational support for projects, including scheduling meetings, booking meeting rooms, preparing agendas, and distributing notes focused on next steps.Support review and execution of contracts.Coordinate Artists-in-Residence and Performance interns and volunteers.Support organizing, maintaining, and archiving project files and documentation.Support project management activities, working closely with the Curator, internal departments, and outside vendors.Support the Curatorial team in the continued growth and improvement of the developing program.Additional ResponsibilitiesWork closely with other members of the Curatorial team, as well as team members in Operations, Guest Experience, Brand Strategy and Communications, Learning & Engagement, and Special Events.Perform duties in a consistently professional, approachable, and proactive manner and organize and balance multiple tasks, including administrative tasks that are complex in nature and require considerable discretion and confidentiality.Work across multiple, overlapping timelines to ensure external and interdepartmental communications are clear, timely, and documented.Answer inquiries in a prompt and professional manner and ensure interdepartmental communications are clear, timely, helpful, and documented.Provide suggestions for improving processes and keeping projects on time and within budget.Keep the supervisor informed of issues or changes in project scope.Help foster team creativity, collegiality, timeliness, and mutual respect to create experiences that engage and delight guests.Generate and contribute solutions as challenges arise.Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support evolving organizational needs.Qualifications and RequirementsEducation and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in art history or a related discipline required, plus 1–2 years of experience in a museum, cultural organization, gallery, or other relevant professional setting; curatorial experience preferred.Knowledge of visual arts required.Knowledge of performance, including music, theater, dance, performance art, and time-based media required.Experience working with artists required.Proven experience and success in project coordination and meeting deadlines within fast-paced working environments.Experience with, or ability to learn, specialized software systems including TMS, EMS, Workday, and Asana.Ability to work independently as well as within a team.Ability to maintain the highest ethics in all aspects of curatorial endeavors and the highest levels of confidentiality and discretion.Preferred Training and TraitsAbility to obtain a passport for international travel.Highly organized and detail-oriented.Professional and approachable, with excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.Ability to work independently and facilitate teams of diverse personalities.Willingness to work weekends and evenings and adjust hours as required.Experience working with living artists and their representatives.Proficient in Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project, and OneNote.Demonstrated knowledge of current practices in producing events, supporting residencies, or equivalent experience.Physical Demands and Work EnvironmentThe physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Physical Demands: Occasionally, while performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to travel independently, regionally and in communities served. In the work environment described below, the position requires working at a desk and utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time and good eye/hand coordination. Vision abilities required by the job include close and distant vision. The person in this position will require the capability to move and be present onsite for extended periods of time during all phases of bump in, tech, rehearsal, presentation and bump out, and be able to navigate through the different Museum buildings and on the trails and grounds. When working in public spaces and performing arts venues, physical stamina is needed to lift and carry supplies, and at times assist with other presentation-related elements. Unimpaired hearing is required for this job.Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, performance venues, museum spaces, and outdoors. When not in the office, the employee will be spending extensive amounts of time in the Museum buildings, grounds, and performance spaces. The noise level in the Museum work environment is usually low to moderate. Outdoor work will include walking the museum’s trails in a variety of weather conditions, and occasionally at night.Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, the employee must provide proper identification verifying eligibility to work in the United States.