Curatorial Assistant, Berman Museum of Art

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.

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.

• 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.