The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.

Overview

The Art Institute of Chicago is hiring an assistant curator in Photography and Media. This dynamic department maintains a robust exhibition schedule and cares for one of the premier collections of its kind in a museum of fine art. Applicants should have at least three years of museum or equivalent curatorial experience, as well as advanced training in art historical research.

Applicants with expertise in early to mid-20th century European and North American photography, as well as earlier photography, are especially encouraged to apply. These are areas of core strength within a collections and acquisitions program that addresses photography and media worldwide from the 19th century through the present.

More information about the department and the position is provided below. Finalists will be provided a detailed description of responsibilities associated with this position.

Photography and Media

The Art Institute has exhibited photographs at least annually since 1900, and since around 1950 the museum has collected photographs as well as maintained one or more galleries devoted to their display. The museum's libraries have collected photographs and photo-illustrated printed matter since the 1930s, while film and video have been exhibited and collected since the 1960s.

The Department of Photography and Media acquires hundreds of works yearly in photography, film and video, and print or digital media; it maintains a collection of some 25,000 objects, along with three distinct exhibition areas and a study room open to students and the public. Thousands of further photography and media works reside in related curatorial departments as well as the library collections.

Photography and Media has three full-time curatorial positions and one adjunct position. On average the department mounts three shows and two rotations of the permanent collection each year. A collection manager, administrative coordinator, and specialist complete the permanent departmental team. Photography and Media Conservation, physically adjacent to the curatorial department, is a close partner in developing exhibition and collection strategies.

BASIC FUNCTION: The assistant curator supports the department in caring for, researching, producing content on, interpreting, and displaying the permanent collection of the department. The assistant curator furthers the chair’s strategic vision; helps to enhance the visibility and reputation of the museum and develop community interest in the departmental collection; and supports the museum in its commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable institution.

With support from the chair, the assistant curator proposes exhibitions and gallery rotations; performs art historical research, writing, and interpretation; produces and publishes content; conceives of, organizes, and develops interpretive materials; and liaises with colleagues in the museum to develop compelling narratives, programs, and content for broad audience engagement.

The assistant curator engages in a collaborative role with Conservation and Science and Collections and Loans to review treatments and foster best practices for maintaining the areas of specialty within the collection. All of these efforts are supported by the assistant curator’s participation, under guidance from Philanthropy and the chair, to cultivate relationships with donors, collectors, and committee members.

• Advanced degree in art history or equivalent experience preferred
• Experience working in museums, galleries, and/or other curatorial capacities required; minimum of three years of experience preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google suites required; ability to learn museumspecific collection database
• Knowledge of foreign languages as appropriate to areas of specialty
• The ideal candidate should demonstrate
  • a broad art historical foundation;
  • expertise, experience, and interest in pursuing a distinct area or areas relevant to expanding areas of the collection;
  • initial scholarship in areas of specialty;
  • a willingness to embrace the museum’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution;
  • an open-minded and collaborative approach to working and communicating with all colleagues across the museum;
  • outstanding communication skills that demonstrate both scholarly ability and interest in public engagement;
  • and experience in working with collectors and donors.

We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Generous paid time off
• Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
• Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
• Great employee discounts
• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

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Vaccination Expectation

Becoming vaccinated against COVID-19 is the most important contribution we as individuals can make to ensure our own safety and the safety of our museum and school community. All employees must complete an attestation and provide proof of their vaccination status, or request a medical or religious exemption within the first week of employment.

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu.