Position Summary
MoPOP seeks an enthusiastic Curatorial Assistant to join the museum’s curatorial team. The Curatorial Assistant is a role that is responsible for supporting the Curatorial Department. The employee works on curatorial research and exhibition and content development in tandem or independently from other MoPOP Curatorial team members. They assist with project management and departmental coordination, as well as field outside requests around exhibitions and the permanent collection.
Essential Job Duties (additional duties as assigned)
· Assist with all aspects of research, planning, organization, and realization of exhibitions and permanent collection installations and serve as administrative support in meetings as requested.
· Assists with the maintenance of accurate exhibition checklists, image files, lenders, and other exhibition details.
· Research, write, edit, proofread, and assist in the production of print and multimedia interpretive materials, including images files, wall texts, extended object labels, and website and app content.
· Coordinate meetings, travel, and appointments for Curatorial Department and logistical needs for artist/curator visits, including arranging travel, lodging, meals, and any event-related logistics.
· Assist in acquisitions of artworks, including artist and object research on new proposals, writing of object justifications for board books, preparation of PowerPoint presentations, and communication with dealers, galleries, collectors, and artists, as necessary.
· Work with Curatorial Department to steward relationships with members, donors, patrons, artists, and general museum audiences.
· Answer inquiries, conduct gallery tours, and participate in public programs.
· Assist with gathering and writing exhibition-related information pertinent to grant applications and other institutional needs.
· Work collaboratively on curatorial and museum-wide initiatives, including serving on interdepartmental workgroups.
· Research, develop, and assist in the oversight of media content within the museum.
· Support Curatorial Department in managing effective communications and in the preparation of reports, presentations, articles, lectures, and publications.
· Support our internal culture which inspires and empowers our staff to live our mission to its highest standards.
· Contribute to a consistent customer service standard across all departments.
· Work to ensure customer service is ingrained at the core of the team and is reflected outward to our guests and other staff.
· Commitment to participating in anti-racism work, learning about the ways institutional racism impacts the workplace, and supporting teammates in operationalizing DEIA strategies in the department.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
· At least one (1) year of museum experience with success providing administrative support to leaders and long-term, cross-departmental projects.
· Demonstrated success in writing clearly, succinctly, and creatively with a strong interest in popular culture and preserving its history.
· Foundational knowledge of professional museum standards in curatorial procedures.
· Proven ability to research, distill information, and build upon an already broad base of knowledge using internet, professional journals and publications, and other sources. Excellent computer skills and experience with a museum collections database (The Museum System) preferred.
· Demonstrated attention to detail, with strong organizational skills to manage a continuous workflow with several competing priorities which shift day-to-day.
· Flexibility to handle multiple requests simultaneously and a strong ability to analyze and resolve problems.
· Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with multiple team members in the department and across the organization possessing excellent verbal and written communication skills.
· Sound judgment and problem-solving skills; ability to understand when to escalate questions and issues to appropriate parties.
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated customer service orientation.
