Curatorial Assistant, Berman Museum of Art

June 21, 2023
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Job Description

Summary and Scope of Position:

The Berman Museum Curatorial Assistant (CA) assists the Berman Museum Creative
Director, Executive Director, and guest curators in all aspects of exhibition organization and planning, including research, administrative,
and editorial tasks for exhibitions, publications, and exhibition-related programming. The CA acts as lead organizer/curator of Annual
Student Exhibition and 1-2 small-scale permanent collection exhibitions per year; gives public, private, and class-based tours of the museum
and exhibitions; helps supervise student interns; and helps facilitate access to the museum collection. The position requires a high level
of organization at broad project levels as well as detail-oriented attention to project logistics and communications and a dedication to
ensuring that internal and external deadlines are met. The successful candidate will have the ability to learn quickly, an innate aptitude
for flexibility, the ability to juggle multiple tasks with long- and short-term deadlines, and a positive solutions-oriented approach.

Specific Responsibilities:

Exhibitions

  • Conducts curatorial research for
    exhibitions and publications. 
  • Works with artists, collectors, and Collections Manager to facilitate loans. 
  • Obtains permissions and copyright clearance for images and maintains accurate credit lines. 
  • Assists with the maintenance
    of accurate exhibition checklists, image files, lenders, and other exhibition details. 
  • Helps create and/or edit exhibition
    descriptions and didactic materials such as wall text, labels, and newsletter and website content. 
  • Helps to ensure accuracy
    of information on all publications, in print and online. 
  • Provides general curatorial support for the Creative Director,
    Collections Manager, Executive Director, and guest curators. 
  • Working with the Collections Manager, provides logistical and
    administrative support in coordinating exhibitions, including traveling exhibitions. 
  • Assists with photo/video documentation
    of exhibitions and individual works. 
  • Participates in and assists with staff training on exhibitions, as required. 
  • Organizes Annual Student Exhibition and 1-2 small-scale permanent collection exhibitions per year.
  • Guides Ursinus students and
    student interns who work at the Berman with exhibition related assignments as necessary.

Communications

  • Occasionally works with Ursinus College Communications staff to prepare and edit materials to promote, publicize, and interpret
    exhibitions and related public programs. 
  • Assists with gathering and writing exhibition-related information pertinent to grant
    applications, final reports, and other institutional needs. 

Programming

  • Works with the
    Executive Director, Creative Director, and Operations Manager to plan and coordinate public programs related to exhibitions.
  • Assists with coordination of logistical needs for artist/curator visits including arranging honoraria, travel, lodging, meals, and any
    event-related logistics. 
  • Assists with hosting visiting artists/curators, including itineraries, transportation, and
    entertainment. 
  • Works with Operations Manager to coordinate and lead tours and programming for educators/students from local
    school districts. 

Administrative

  • Assists Collections Manager with updating and
    maintaining exhibitions, loans, and collections records. 
  • Assists Collections Manager with cataloging and digitization needs
    by researching the collection, completing data-entry tasks, and updating approved revisions to records in the collections management system,
    Artwork Archive. 
  • Assists Berman Executive Director with details regarding AAM re-accreditation and self-assessments.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s required, Master’s preferred. Degree can be in any field as
    long as the candidate has a demonstrated desire to work in the arts.
  • At least two years of gallery or museum experience is
    required.
  • Experience with the care and handling of artworks, including condition reporting and packing procedures. 
  • Experience with a collection management system preferred.
  • Excellent organization skills and impeccable attention to
    detail. 
  • Ability to work as part of a team and independently, remaining calm under pressure, and to manage multiple competing
    priorities and deadlines. 
  • Excellent communication and accuracy in written communication.
  • Good negotiation skills and
    the ability to handle sensitive situations with diplomacy.
  • Outstanding communication, interpersonal, writing and organization
    skills.
  • Ability to work with many constituents at all levels, act independently and professionally as part of the larger team, and
    manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Must be proficient with Microsoft Office programs—Word, Excel, PowerPoint and
    Outlook. Familiarity with Photoshop is preferred. 

Work Environment:

  • Ability to sit for
    long periods at personal computer performing related functions.
  • Availability and flexibility to travel as needed.
  • Ability
    to work evenings and/or weekends as necessary.
  • Ability to lift at least 25 lbs. 

Departmental
Accountabilities
:

  • Works collaboratively with colleagues and students in the Berman Museum and throughout the College.
    Participates in Berman Museum meetings and other key College staff meetings.
  • Provides support to museum leadership for prioritized
    projects as needed. Helps educate Ursinus faculty and staff about the Berman Museum and its mission and goals. 

Application:

Interested candidates should apply online. Once you create an applicant account, you will be
prompted to upload your cover letter, resume, and a list with contact information for three references to the applicant database. 

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