Assistant Curator, Full-Time

The Hudson River Museum seeks a dynamic and imaginative Assistant Curator who
has a broad understanding of American art from the nineteenth century to present
day with particular strength in modern and contemporary art, and who shares our
commitment to scholarship and public engagement. The Assistant Curator reports
to the Chair, Curatorial Department. The Curatorial Department is responsible for
organizing special exhibitions and for the care and curatorial initiatives of the Museum’s
collection, which includes American paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture, decorative
arts, and costumes from the nineteenth century to today, as well as Glenview, the
Museum’s Gilded Age home on the National Register of Historic Places.

The work of the Assistant Curator will foster regional and national recognition of
the collection through scholarship, public speaking, and outreach. The Assistant
Curator will contribute to the development of creative programming and strategies
for visitor engagement related to the collection and play a meaningful role in the
organization of select exhibitions for our collection galleries and the new West Wing
exhibition galleries, which opened in June 2023. The Museum is committed to sharing
a more expansive and inclusive history of American art through a diversity of artists,
perspectives, and narratives reflective of our public. The Assistant Curator will have
interest and knowledge in historically underrepresented artists, work on projects
involving modern and contemporary art, and should also be prepared to integrate
historical American art, decorative art, including those from the HRM’s permanent
collection, and interdisciplinary subjects, in creative ways. The Assistant Curator will
propose art historical narratives and curate installations that reveal the complexity
and diversity of life and cultural practices within the United States.

The Assistant Curator is responsible for proposing and organizing exhibitions,
writing texts for signage and publications, and participating in public programs and
special events. He/She/They also assist, as assigned, with the curation of other
internal projects and incoming traveling exhibitions. The position will also evaluate
and propose acquisitions to the collection, including making studio visits to artists as
necessary and cataloging acquisitions. The Assistant Curator frequently collaborates
with colleagues across Museum departments, and is in dialogue with artists, historians,
patrons, and other arts professionals as tied to the work of the department.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate exhibitions, projects, and installations, collaborating cross-

departmentally within the Museum and with relevant external parties; assist
in the planning and installation of large-scale exhibitions (correspondence,

preparation of presentations, loan forms, checklists).

• Conduct research on, create proposals for, and organize temporary exhibitions

as assigned; write accompanying didactics and publications; and participate
in related learning and engagement programming.

• Contribute original research and writing for the Museum’s publications, social

media, website, “Currents” blog, and other outlets.

• Strong writing and communication skills that accommodate a variety of

audiences depending on situation and need.

• Propose and help facilitate acquisitions to the Museum’s collection and loans

for exhibitions.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with artists, historians, donors,

collectors, gallerists, curators, and others relevant to the Museum’s mission
and work.

• Participate in interdisciplinary public programs, patron events, and exhibition

discussions with Museum constituencies.

• Contribute to grant-writing efforts for select exhibitions and collection initiatives.

• Ability to plan, organize, and implement complex tasks with attention to detail,

meet goals, and work within deadlines and budgets.

• Help to establish and maintain collection and exhibition records and files that

are necessary for the operation of the department.

• Attend approved off-site exhibitions, studio visits with artists, symposia,

and programs.

• Complete administrative tasks related to the department budget, calendar,

exhibition-related workflows, logistics, and schedules.

• Work collaboratively across multiple departments, including Curatorial,

Communications, Development, Director’s Office, Finance, and Education.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required qualifications:

• Strong background in mid-twentieth-century to contemporary art by

American artists.

• Familiarity and willingness to research and interpret historical American art.

• Master’s degree from an accredited university in art history or a related field.

• Creative thinking to envision artistic connections and intersections with all

facets of the Museum.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Familiarity with the use of databases for collections management.

• Experience working in a museum or cultural organization.

• Experience of programming the work of contemporary artists, including

experience in commissioning projects, building collections, curating collection
displays, and working on publications.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong presentation skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and full Google Creative Suite.

• Familiarity with The Museum System (TMS/TMS Collections) and eMuseum.

• Familiarity with basic use of Adobe Photoshop.

This full-time position is on-site with a minimum of 3 days per week at the HRM and
as needed. At time of employment, employees are expected to be located within
commuting distance of the Museum and be able to commute to and from the Museum
in a single day.

The Hudson River Museum requires proof of Covid-19 vaccination for employment.
In order to be eligible, participants must show proof of vaccination and a form of
personal ID.

Salary range: $48,000 – $52,000

Salary is commensurate with experience within the guidelines of a small not-for-profit.
A competitive benefits package is provided, including paid medical, dental, life and
long-term disability insurance, a retirement account, and substantial vacation time.

Benefits:

The Museum provides competitive compensation, and generous benefits and perks
for all eligible employees, including:

• The Museum pays 100% of premiums for medical, dental, and life insurance

• 403(b) retirement plan; free financial-planning services

• Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, personal days

and 13 Museum holidays

• Flexible spending accounts (pre-tax income for eligible health care expenses)

• Discount for staff in Museum Shop

• Access and free admission to numerous museums and cultural institutions

• Standard worker’s compensation, short-term and long-term disability and

unemployment insurance

• Participation in TransitChek Commuter Benefit program

The HRM has a commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. We aim
to encourage diverse thought, experience, and cultural competency at all levels of
the organization, ensuring that everyone at the HRM is motivated to achieve common
goals. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as drivers of staff empowerment,
innovation, and institutional excellence. We believe multiple perspectives and a
healthy respect for differing views strengthen our organization by expanding our
thinking. We embrace the challenge of exploring the complex stories embedded
in our history and artworks as we work towards continued relevance of the Museum
and collection to our public.

Application:

To apply, email cover letter, resume, and two relevant writing samples to
employment@hrm.org. Submissions without a cover letter will not be considered.
Include “Assistant Curator” in the subject line.

Please note that while careful consideration will be given to each submission, the
Museum will only be able to contact those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and
work experience best fit the requirements of the position.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds
often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that
it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given
role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly
encouraged to apply for this role.

About the Hudson River Museum

The Hudson River Museum is a preeminent cultural institution in Westchester County and
the New York Metropolitan area. Situated on the banks of the Hudson River in Yonkers,
New York, the HRM’s mission is to engage, inspire, and connect diverse communities
through the power of the arts, sciences, and history.

The Museum offers engaging experiences for nearly every age and interest, with an
ever-growing collection of American art; dynamic exhibitions that range from notable
nineteenth-century paintings to contemporary art installations; Glenview, an 1877
house on the National Register of Historic Places; a state-of-the-art Planetarium;
an environmental teaching gallery; and an outdoor Amphitheater. The Museum is
dedicated to collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting these multidisciplinary
offerings, which are complemented by an array of public programs that encourage
creative expression, collaboration, and artistic and scientific discovery.

The HRM provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants
for employment without regard to age, creed, actual or perceived race, color, sex,
sexual orientation, self-identified or perceived sex, gender expression, gender identity,
the status of being transgender, national origin, ethnicity, alienage, citizenship status,
family status, lawful seizure of income, marital status, disability, military status, veteran
status, domestic violence victim status, criminal or arrest record, or predisposing
genetic characteristics. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and
conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff,
recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.