Research Assistant – Joan Mitchell Catalogue Raisonné

Artinfoland; New York (NY); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with Employer contribution

Generous PTO, Sick time, and Floating/

Commuter benefits (parking and mass to

Job summary

The Joan Mitchell Foundation in New York, NY seeks a Research Assistant to support ongoing work on the Joan Mitchell Catalogue Raisonné project. The role focuses on data entry, archival sourcing, and administrative tasks while collaborating with the JMCR team to prepare material for publication.

The position offers growth opportunities for someone with an academic background in 20th-century art history and strong research experience, with the chance to examine Mitchell paintings and contribute

Qualifications

• B.A. required in Art History with coursework or a declared focus on 20th-century Modernism; M.A. preferred.
• 1–3 years of work experience in a museum, gallery, archive, catalogue raisonné, or academic research environment.
• Proficiency in FileMaker Pro, Google Suite, Excel, PowerPoint, and Photoshop.
• Reading proficiency in French strongly preferred, to parse and extract metadata from French exhibition checklists and correspondence.
• Attention to detail, patience for repetitive data-heavy tasks, and a positive collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Data Entry — regularly update and verify artwork records in FileMaker in line with JMCR Style Guidelines.
• Research — conduct targeted searches in museum libraries, online databases, and digital archives to locate citations and verify findings.
• Digital Image Management — organize and tag exam photographs in FileMaker Pro.
• Outreach to Auction Houses — prepare bi-annual letter campaigns to encourage submissions and track provenance.
• Administrative Support — assist with correspondence, travel planning, updating spreadsheets, calendars, and filing.
• Research Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing — coordinate with Legacy Team and report findings in meetings.

Skills

French reading

Attention to detail

Administrative mindset

Education

B.A. in Art History (M.A. preferred)

Tools

FileMaker Pro

Google Suite

Excel

PowerPoint

Photoshop

Job description

The Joan Mitchell Foundation was established following Joan Mitchell's death in 1992, under a mandate in her will to "aid and assist" working artists while stewarding her artistic legacy. Since its founding, the Foundation has developed a range of programs supporting living artists, including grants and the Joan Mitchell Center, a residency facility in New Orleans. In February 2015, the Foundation established the Joan Mitchell Catalogue Raisonné as an independent research project (structured as a limited liability company) dedicated to documenting the complete body of Mitchell's paintings on canvas for an eventual scholarly publication. The project is based at the Foundation's New York office and maintains a small dedicated research team, including a Project Manager and Researchers based in New York and Paris, who conduct painting examinations, archival research, and photography coordination on Mitchell's works held in public and private collections worldwide. The Foundation does not authenticate artwork or issue opinions on authenticity as part of the Catalogue Raisonné's work.

Title & Description

The Joan Mitchell Catalogue Raisonné (JMCR) is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Research Assistant to support ongoing research related to Joan Mitchell's paintings, as the project moves from its research phase toward preparing material for an initial publication. Working in collaboration with the Project Manager and the JMCR research team, the Research Assistant will be responsible for outreach to institutions and private individuals, sourcing and retrieving archival and other secondary source materials, maintaining digital and paper filing systems, data entry in FileMaker, and monitoring the JMCR's email account. The role also provides administrative support related to the examination, photography, and cataloguing of paintings.

The position is heavily focused on data entry, fact-checking, and administrative support, and requires great attention to detail. The Research Assistant will also have opportunities to see and examine Mitchell's paintings in person. Training will be provided, and the Foundation describes the role as one with room for growth, suited to a candidate with an academic background in 20th-century art history and scholarly and/or professional research experience who is ready to learn on the job. The role requires both independent work and collaboration within the JMCR team and the wider Foundation.

The Role Overview

• Position Type: Full-time, Non-exempt

Position & Tasks

• Data Entry — Regularly and accurately update and verify artwork records in FileMaker, using information from submission forms and other documentation, in accordance with JMCR Style Guidelines and the Chicago Manual of Style
• Research
  • Initiate and accomplish targeted searches in museum libraries, online auction databases, and digital archives to locate missing citations and/or verify research findings
  • Assist with documenting and cross-referencing information from various sources, including archives, libraries, online databases, and JMF/JMCR internal files
  • Monitor Google Alerts and other news aggregators for information about Joan Mitchell and track/report findings for the JMCR team
• Digital Image Management
  • Organize research images, including uploading and tagging exam photographs in FileMaker Pro
• Outreach to Auction Houses
  • Prepare bi-annual letter campaigns for auction houses, in collaboration with the JMCR team, to encourage submissions and track provenance
• Administrative Support
  • Assist the research team pre- and post-painting examinations, including correspondence with registrars, collection managers, and private collectors
  • Process and file exam notes and tag photographs in FileMaker
  • Assist with travel planning
  • Provide additional administrative support, including updating spreadsheets and calendars, filing, scanning, photocopying, and sending/receiving packages as necessary
• Research Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing
  • Collaborate with the Legacy Team to strategize and coordinate research, documentation, and communication; report relevant findings in group meetings
• B.A. required in Art History with coursework or a declared focus on 20th-century Modernism; M.A. preferred
• 1-3 years of work experience in a museum, gallery, archive, catalogue raisonné, or academic research environment
• Proficiency in FileMaker Pro, Google Suite, Excel, PowerPoint, and Photoshop
• Reading proficiency in French strongly preferred, to parse and extract metadata from French exhibition checklists and correspondence
• Familiarity with auction house and gallery records
• Attention to detail, patience for repetitive data-heavy tasks, and a positive collaborative mindset
• Awareness, comfort, and ability handling sensitive and confidential information
• Excellent writing, organizational, and communication skills
• High level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness, with a strong work ethic
• Commitment to the Joan Mitchell Foundation's mission, vision, purpose, and core values
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally and establish and maintain collegial relationships with peer artist-endowed foundations, scholars, auction houses, galleries, artists, and other arts professionals
• Physical requirements: largely sedentary role requiring the ability to sit, stand, lift up to 20 pounds, speak, and hear, sometimes for extended periods
• Ability to use a computer and general office equipment
• No geographic or nationality restriction stated in the source
• Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) with Employer contribution
• Generous PTO, Sick time, and Floating Holidays
• Commuter benefits (parking and mass transit)
• MetLife Auto and Home Insurance
• Legal Insurance
• Behavioral Health Employee Assistance Program
• Training provided, with stated room for growth in the role

Application Fee

None

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 19 September 2026

Location

New York, NY, United States

• Selected candidates will meet with prospective peers, leaders, and stakeholders as part of the interview process
• All offers of employment are subject to successful completion of reference and background checks
• By submitting a resume, applicants affirm that their submission is true and accurate and that they understand the Foundation's recruiting process and benefits offered
• The Joan Mitchell Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and states it does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, or any other factor prohibited by law
• The Foundation encourages candidates to apply even if they do not meet 100% of the listed qualifications
• Reasonable accommodations are available in all aspects of the employment process; requests can be submitted to [e-mail]
• This job description is not intended as a contract for a specific period of employment; employment is at will
• The Foundation conducts regular compensation analysis aligned with its equitable compensation philosophy; the stated salary range is a guideline that may vary based on candidate experience, licensing, qualifications, and other factors