European Art - Research Assistant

Detroit Institute of Arts; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Institute of Arts seeks a Research Assistant in the European Art department to conduct object and provenance research for the exhibition Caravaggio’s Models. The role involves updating files and databases, contacting scholars and museums, and supporting the curator with the exhibition catalogue and related materials.

Requires a Bachelor’s in art history (Master’s/PhD preferred) and at least three years in a museum, university, or gallery setting; reading knowledge of Italian (French

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in art history or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Three years of museum, university, or art gallery experience required.
• Specialization in seventeenth-century Italian art preferred.

Responsibilities

• Research and compile scholarship on paintings in the exhibition checklist.
• Update files, documents, and databases pertaining to these works.
• Contact scholars, collectors, and museums for information as necessary.
• Support curator on development and production of the exhibition catalogue and related materials.
• Apply DIA values to interactions to support a culture of belonging among stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Archival research

Provenance research

Reading Italian

Reading French

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in art history

Master’s degree or PhD preferred

Tools

The Museum System (TMS)

Office 365

Microsoft Teams & remote work platforms

Job description

JOB TITLE: Research Assistant

DEPARTMENT: European Art

REPORTS TO: Department Head, European Art

CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Temporary

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY: Partial

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the department head the research assistant will conduct object and provenance research for the upcoming exhibition Caravaggio’s Models.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Research and compile scholarship on paintings in the exhibition checklist.
• Update files, documents, and databases pertaining to these works.
• Contact scholars, collectors, and museums for information as necessary.
• Support curator as assigned on development and production of the exhibition catalogue and in the execution of other written materials pertaining to the exhibition.
• Apply DIA values to interactions to support a culture of belonging among internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in art history or related field required. Master’s degree or Ph.D. in related field preferred. Specialization in seventeenth-century Italian art preferred. Three (3) years of museum, university, or art gallery experience is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Previous experience with archival, object-based, and provenance research.
• Demonstrated skills to prioritize and complete multiple tasks tomeet deadlines and goals.
• Demonstrated ability to work with attention to detail and produce accurate results.
• Ability to provide information, ideas, and instructions clearly, effectively, and professionally through talking or writing.
• Reading knowledge of Italian required. In addition, reading knowledge of French is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated collaboration skills to work across departments and divisions internally and with diverse stakeholders externally.
• Experience with collections database software, The Museum System (TMS) preferred.
• Ability to work occasional weekend and evening hours for special events.
• Must be proficient in the latest version of Office 365.
• Must have proficiency in the use of remote work technology such as scheduling with, connecting to, and using digital collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams.
• Must be able to establish and maintain professional, productive, and courteous interactions that promote positive teamwork. This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Upon receiving notice, reasonable accommodation may be made, if possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange accurate information using various methods including in-person, telephone, and email.