Curatorial Assistant (Contemporary Design) | Department of Architecture and Design

The Museum of Modern Art is currently accepting applications for a Curatorial Assistant in the Department of Architecture and Design. The Curatorial Assistant provides support to senior curatorial staff for upcoming contemporary design exhibitions, collection-based rotation displays of contemporary design, and acquisitions to the collection. Works with colleagues across the Museum and with external colleagues to provide preparatory assistance and logistical support that ensures that exhibitions, collection care, programs, department operations and other daily functions are smoothly executed.

Responsibilities:

• Assists senior curatorial staff in all areas of their responsibilities, including administrative work related to curatorial functions, e.g., taking detailed minutes of meetings, preparing presentations, drafting interoffice and extra-institutional communications, scheduling meetings, etc. Supports research and preparation for exhibitions, collection-based rotations, publications, acquisitions, online content, collections records, bibliographic and biographical records and files, departmental committee meetings, loans, and general curatorial inquiries.
• Assists with preparation of exhibitions and collection-based rotations, including scholarly research and writing. Assists with arranging loans; catalog preparation; preparation of exhibition checklists in the Collection Exhibition Manager System (CEMS) and related platforms; and coordinating and scheduling prep work to be done within the Museum and without in areas such as interpretive materials, conservation, photography, matting, framing, construction, lighting, etc. Assists with the preparation and installation of wall labels, publication texts images rights and other materials as assigned.
• Communicates closely with living designers and collaborators to support the selection, contextualization and display of objects and drawings, as well as other mediums of design representation.
• Conducts daily inspection of works on view in the collection galleries and in temporary exhibitions and assists in necessary follow-up arrangements. Answers inquiries and conducts some gallery tours as necessary for visitors, etc.
• Answers related inquiries from the public and scholars with regard to works in the collection.
• Works with curatorial interns and other titles as assigned.
• Keeps informed of current artistic and exhibition activities related to local, national and international designers by visiting galleries and museums, reading publications, conducting design studio visits, etc., and conveys perspectives and observations to the senior staff.
• Performs any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in art history, design history, or design, or a comparable academic field and relevant work experience and competence within the area of departmental interest. 
• In-depth knowledge of contemporary design on a local, national, and global scale required. A keen interest in the different methods of display of contemporary design and a curiosity to develop new narrative and thematic models of display is strongly encouraged.
• Flexibility and enthusiasm for teamwork, an overall desire to learn, as well as openness to feedback and mentoring from colleagues.
• Excellent research, writing, and organizational skills, as well as ability to effectively communicate interpersonally across multiple departments, constituencies and audiences.
• Exceptional attention to detail, professionalism and discretion in handling sensitive situations and matters.
• Ability to prioritize across a fast-paced work environment and manage more than one project at a time while completing assignments on deadline.
• Facility with critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Working knowledge of standard office technology, procedures and equipment.
• Reading knowledge and verbal fluency in one language other than English.

Reports to: Chief Curator, Architecture and Design and Department Manager 

To apply, please visit MoMA Jobs. Applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter. Applications without cover letters will not be considered.

Application deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a deadline of Sunday April 13, 2025. After which the job posting will be closed.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement: Equal Employment Opportunity has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental principle at the Museum, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, unemployment status, familial status, domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking victim status, caregiver status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, or any other protected category as established by applicable law, including the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).

This is a unionized position at MoMA with covered employees represented by Local 2110, UAW, AFL-CIO.

04/13/2025