Curatorial Assistant

MISSION

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.

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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Salary Grade 5

 

OUR VALUES

• All staff members are expected to embrace the museum’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution and to adhere to the museum’s shared values.
• Our museum reflects and deepens our collective humanity; the arts are integral to an inspired and just society.
• We respect and acknowledge each of our colleagues’ contributions and expertise across all roles within our organization.
• We share in the responsibility to create an antiracist culture built on equity, inclusion, and justice for all, acknowledging that these efforts are intersectional and ongoing.
• We encourage and advance a culture of hospitality, empathy, and gratitude for each visitor, supporter, and member of our staff.
• We embrace innovation and foster change with a progressive understanding of—and obligation to reconsider—our past.
• We sustain an open and dynamic civic platform, inviting and advancing the diverse perspectives of our city, staff, visitors, and supporters. 

 

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

Formally established in 1921, the department of Arts of Asia holds one of the largest Asian art collections in North America, consisting of nearly 30,000 objects that span five millennia and represent all artistic traditions of the entire continent.  Distinguished artworks include Hindu and Buddhist sculpture; Chinese jades, bronzes, ceramics, and paintings; Japanese screens and woodblock prints— one of the finest assemblages in the world; Korean celadon; and Indian and Persian miniature paintings. The department employs five full time curators, a collection manager, a specialist, a technician, and an administrative coordinator, as well as training fellows, interns, and volunteers.

 

 ABOUT THE POSITION

Under the direction of the Collection Manager, the Curatorial Assistant supports the organization of departmental exhibitions, collection rotations, gallery reinstallations, and projects; provides administrative, curatorial, collection, and research support for the department; and conducts art historical and art market research about and related to works in the permanent collection, loans, and acquisitions. The curatorial assistant composes website content, updates museum database records for publication to the website, and provides occasional administrative assistance to the department.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Researches ownership, publication, and exhibition histories for the permanent collections, loans, acquisitions, and deaccessions
• Assists in departmental efforts to maintain object, artist, dealer, donor records and files
• Aids in documenting and updating object records for online publishing
• Handles inquiries (mail, telephone or e-mail) about collections, exhibitions, appraisals, selling or donating works of art to the museum
• Helps create, coordinate, and edit gallery descriptions and didactic materials such as wall texts and labels
• Manages the imaging process for objects needing new photography
• Supports the preparation of materials for advisory committee meetings
• Supports the processing of incoming and outgoing loans for the department
• Assists with visitors and education programs
• Works with the Collection Manager on gallery projects as assigned
• Assists curators with special projects as needed

 

 PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer; must be able to remain in a stationary position 90% of the time.
• Occasionally m