Curatorial Research Assistant: 19th-Century Art (Hybrid)

Philaculture; Pennsylvania; Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Barnes Foundation invites applications for a Curatorial Research Assistant to support research, loans, and publication efforts related to the permanent collection and upcoming exhibitions. The role emphasizes nineteenth-century European art, with duties ranging from archival research to coordinating with conservation, education, and registration teams.

The position operates in a hybrid setting between the Philadelphia campus and a remote work arrangement, requiring strong organizational

Qualifications

• Master's degree in art history with a focus on nineteenth-century European art.
• Familiarity with cultural organizations or institutions.
• Excellent verbal, written communication, and computer skills; proficient in Microsoft Office and able to learn new applications.
• Experience with collections management databases, especially TMS.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, able to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Clearances: Criminal Background-National.

Responsibilities

• Performs research on the collection and potential loans for temporary exhibitions, including artists, objects, periods, provenance, styles, locations of works, and photographic sources of works in the collection, consulting primary and secondary sources at the Barnes Foundation library and archives as well as through web-based databases and external libraries and archives.
• Supports the administration of temporary exhibitions and collection care initiatives, including coordinating and corresponding with both internal and external colleagues; maintaining checklists and relevant documents and files; conducting original research; assisting with installation needs; and creating and compiling materials, such as tour training documents and presentations, for internal distribution and the department archive.
• Participates in curatorial research projects as assigned
• Updates catalogue records for objects and exhibitions in The Museum System (TMS) and the paper files and for publication on the Barnes Foundation website, in coordination with Registration
• Works collaboratively with and serves as a liaison to internal departments including Adult Education, Advancement, Archives and Library, Brand, Conservation, Engagement, Exhibitions, Guest and Protection Services, Impact and Evaluation, Operations, and Research and Interpretation
• Co-coordinates collections and provenance email accounts and drafts correspondence related to inquiries from staff, scholars, and the general public; consults other members of the collection department as needed
• Assists with the development and management of content for interpretive materials to be launched online and in print
• Organizes project-related meetings, prepares agendas and materials, takes and distributes minutes, and coordinates necessary follow-ups
• In coordination with Conservation and Registration, serves as a point of contact for visits to the galleries, including supervising contractors, photographers, and press and welcoming guests, as needed
• Performs other duties as requested

Skills

Research skills

Communication

Organization

Multitasking

Education

Master's in Art History (19th c. European art focus)

Tools

Microsoft Office

TMS (The Museum System)

Job description

The Barnes Foundation invites applications for a Curatorial Research Assistant to support research, loans, and publication efforts related to the permanent collection and upcoming exhibitions. The role emphasizes nineteenth-century European art, with duties ranging from archival research to coordinating with conservation, education, and registration teams.

The position operates in a hybrid setting between the Philadelphia campus and a remote work arrangement, requiring strong organizational