Assistant Curator

Primary Function: The Assistant Curator will be a key member of the Barnes Foundation’s Curatorial team, working closely with colleagues in and across departments to advance the Barnes’s mission. The Assistant Curator will help to develop and deliver artist commissions, exhibitions, public installations, and collection-related content including interpretive materials for use in-gallery and on social media; contributions to Barnes Foundation catalogues; and talks and lectures (in person and online). The candidate’s research and communication skills will connect the foundation with current and prospective visitors. 

With a deep knowledge of the contemporary art field, the candidate will conduct research in support of curatorial priorities and initiatives and will have the opportunity to produce projects around timely topics and themes. The Assistant Curator will additionally help colleagues advance their work on the permanent collection. In service of the Barnes’s commitment to art education for all, the Assistant Curator will integrate curatorial content into the foundation’s broader activities, most specifically in service of new and ongoing educational initiatives. 

Job Qualifications 

• Minimum of Master’s degree in art history or related field; PhD recommended 
• Minimum of 3 years of related professional experience in a cultural or educational institution or organization 
• Demonstrated expertise in the field of contemporary art
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and research skills, suitable for both scholarly publications and public-facing engagement
• Strong organizational and computer skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines and facility with digital tools and platforms
• Knowledge of best practices and procedures for collections management and care in cultural institutions 
• Working knowledge of a second language preferred

Clearances: Criminal Background-National

Physical Activities to Perform Essential Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Moving:

• Approximately 80%+ of time is spent seated while working at a desk. 
• Ability to occasionally transport up to 25 lbs. of files, equipment, or supplies. 
• Ability to move to access files, equipment, or supplies.

Vision Requirements:

• This position requires extended time on the computer.

Communication Requirements: 

• Clearly communicate in person, by phone, and by video conference. 
• Communicate with others in conversational and written English.

Working Conditions: 

• Position operates in hybrid work setting comprised of the Barnes’s Philadelphia campus and remote work setting indicated by the employee at their documented home address.
• Position requires extended time on the computer.

Job Responsibilities:

• Contributes to the development, management, and promotion of loan exhibitions and new commissions, working with colleagues across the foundation, including Brand, Conservation, and Exhibitions, as well as external curators and contractors as appropriate 
• Manages all aspects of assigned and approved exhibitions and projects, including general administration, correspondence, checklist and content development, file maintenance, and research; collaborates on budgets and contracts, installation planning and execution, and production timelines 
• Conducts original research and writing for printed and/or digital publications, including Barnes Foundation catalogues, brochures, exhibition didactics, interpretative texts, content for Barnes Focus (the foundation’s online touring tool), and social media 
• Takes interest in the permanent collection, contributing to curatorial and wider institutional efforts toward ongoing research and content development
• In support of the Adult Education and Research and Interpretation departments, provides lectures, classes, tours, and other presentations for various audiences including the Barnes staff and volunteers, visitors, members, patrons, and the scholarly community
• Shares content and ideas with colleagues in Engagement in support of their efforts to build diverse audiences for the Barnes on campus and beyond 
• Collaborates with Advancement staff to identify appropriate funding opportunities, cultivate potential individual and corporate prospects, steward the Barnes’s strong donor base, and assist with grant applications
• Engages with internal and external colleagues as necessary to support various curatorial initiatives
• Keeps up to date on current curatorial and scholarly activity in the field as well as on contemporary artistic practices 
• Performs other duties as requested

Organization-Wide Competencies:

1. Accountability: 

a. Prepares for work assignments and meetings, 

b. Conducts thorough fact-finding, decision-making and/or follow through, 

c. Admits mistakes and errors and informs others when one is not able to meet a commitment. 

2. Job Quality: 

a. Dependably demonstrates job knowledge necessary for the position,

b. Produces timely, accurate, high quality work output, 

c. Prioritizes work responsibilities effectively and produces work quantity expected for the role. 

3. Service: 

a. Identifies problems and collaborate with others to devise and create effective solutions. 

b. Interacts and communicates with fellow employees in a manner that promotes a harmonious and cooperative working environment in accordance with our Core Values. 

c. Facilitates open communication and keeps an open mind about new ideas. 

4. Leadership: 

a. Sets a good example for others, 

b. Demonstrates ethical decision-making and communication, 

c. Makes decisions. Uses a solution-oriented, collaborative approach. 

5. Collaboration: 

a. Seeks win-win outcomes in decision-making, 

b. Shows a proactive, inclusive, helpful, and respectful attitude to colleagues, guests, and others, 

c. Takes initiative to contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives.