Curatorial Assistant, Art of the Americas

Description

Areas of Support: United States Art, Canadian Art, Latin American Art, Indigenous American Art, and Decorative Arts & Design

Reports to: The Pauline Gill Sullivan Curator of American Art

Level: Individual Contributor

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time, Hourly

Benefits: Full Museum benefits

Schedule: M-F, 9-5

Salary: $21/hour

DMA Mission: The Dallas Museum of Art is a space of wonder and discovery where art comes alive.

The DMA will:

• Place art and our diverse communities at the center around which all activities radiate.
• Pursue excellence in collecting and programming, present works of art across cultures and time, and be a driving force in contemporary art.
• Strengthen our position as a prominent, innovative institution, expanding the meaning and possibilities of learning and creativity.

Scope of Position:

As one of three curatorial assistants across the Curatorial Division, the Curatorial Assistant provides professional administrative and research support to the following positions:

• The Pauline Gill Sullivan Curator of American Art
• The Ellen and Harry S. Parker III Associate Curator of Indigenous American Art
• The Margot B. Perot Senior Curator of Decorative Arts & Design
• Interim Chief Conservator
• Paintings Conservator

The Curatorial Assistant will also serve as the interdepartmental coordinator managing the logistics and organizational needs for each Curator as directed. They will liaise with staff throughout the museum to ensure the smooth integration of communications and task management across departments and divisions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Compose, transcribe, copy, and format correspondence, exhibition checklists, and spreadsheets
• Manage administration of outgoing and incoming loans program and related gallery work
• Organize and maintain schedules, contacts, and files for each curator and conservator 
• Prepare PowerPoint presentations for all curators for the purposes of, but not limited to, docent training, proposals for new exhibitions, and new acquisitions
• Assist in planning special events, facilitate patron visits including processing invitations, guest lists, and RSVPs
• Maintain and order office supplies
• Handle incoming and outgoing telephone calls, email inquiries, and voicemail messages professionally and accurately
• Receive and screen office visitors, and accompany them within the Museum when required
• Serve as liaison to all museum departments on behalf of each curator and conservator, when required
• Update and improve object records in permanent collection database and for the museum website
• Assist in research on the permanent collection, and for exhibitions, publications, provenance, and acquisitions  
• Coordinate with office of Exhibitions and Interpretation, Education, Marketing and Communications, and Development regarding relevant curatorial projects
• Procure research materials on behalf of curators and outside scholars upon request 
• Maintain and archive files (electronic and hard copy) according to museum standards for each curator
• Assist curatorial volunteers and interns with their assigned projects as required
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education, Experience, and Certification:

• B. A. in Art History or a related discipline, with a demonstrated interest in art produced in the Americas, required; M.A. in Art History with a focus on at least one of the assigned collection areas, preferred
• Basic fluency in Spanish (reading, spoken, written), preferred 
• Two years administrative work experience in a museum environment
• Experience writing and editing a variety of texts, including exhibition texts and labels
• Experience working with TMS (The Museum System)
• Experience conducting object- and primary-source based research, specifically bibliography, provenance, and exhibition history research

Key Qualifications:

• General administrative and project management skills
• Ability to perform highly detail-oriented work with accuracy and strong organizational skills
• Ability to multi-task at a fast pace as well as handle and prioritize multiple requests from the curators and conservators
• Excellent computer skills, including the most recent versions of Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to interact with su