Job Description:

Position Title: Curatorial Assistant, Curatorial Affairs

Position Type: Full-time

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Division: Art & Education – Curatorial & Art Management Division

Department: Curatorial

Reports to: Manager, Curatorial Affairs

Compensation Range: $16.15 – $20.19/hourly

About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary:

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission.

The Momentary is a new contemporary art space that opened to the public on February 22, 2020, in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. A satellite to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary presents visual, performing, and culinary arts. The mission of the Momentary is to champion contemporary art’s role in everyday life and explore the unfolding story of contemporary American arts in an international context by actively commissioning and exhibiting outstanding works that explore new ideas and inspire action.

Position Summary:

The Curatorial Assistant, Curatorial Affairs is responsible for providing administrative and curatorial support to the Manager, Curatorial Affairs on activities, projects, and initiatives from the office of the Chief Curator. The ideal Curatorial Assistant, Curatorial Affairs is organized, detail- and service-oriented, able to take initiative, and exercise a high level of discretion. This role requires a collaborative team player with the ability to balance multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, manage project development and planning, and liaise with and respond effectively to internal and external collaborators and colleagues. A passion for arts administration in museums and an interest in American art history are a plus.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Provide high-level administrative support to the office of the Chief Curator by managing informational, administrative, and organizational matters, including research, compilation, and organization of information
• Perform general administrative duties such as filing, copying, and data entry
• Assist with calendar management including the scheduling meetings and reserving meeting spaces
• Assist with organizing and tracking projects and ongoing work
• Support museum donor cultivation/stewardship and colleague visits through communications management and facilitation of visits (including itinerary development)
• Help manage correspondence arriving to the office of the Chief Curator regarding offers, queries, and communications with external parties including art dealers, collectors, artists and individuals via email, mail and phone
• Help with contacting and liaising with artists in the collection
• Contribute to varied curatorial functions, including conducting and compiling artist, object, and image research as directed and preparing presentations for internal and external use
• Coordinate travel plans, including transportation and accommodations
• Assist with preparation and processing of Chief Curator’s business expense reports
• Assist with organization and execution of departmental and divisional meetings and events

Additional Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a professional relationship with staff, guests, volunteers, and all stakeholders of the museum
• Develop strong work relationships with other support staff and provide assistance and support as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Skills:

Education, Training, and Traits:

• B.A. in Art History, Arts Administration, Museum Studies, History, American Studies, or related discipline
• Working knowledge of generally accepted office management practices or specialized training
• Demonstrated skill in organization and rigorous attention to detail
• Exemplary written, verbal, and listening communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and professionally
• Ability to meet deadlines and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Demonstrated research skills
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Adaptable to change
• Ability to maintain the highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of curatorial endeavors, and to understand and maintain the highest levels of confidentiality
• Excellent customer relations skills (in person, via email, and on the telephone)
• Positive attitude and collaborative spirit
• Proficiency in using standard office equipment including copiers and telephone, as well as Microsoft 365 applications including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams; ability to train on effective use of additional software and databases as needed (e.g., The Museum System, Asana)

Equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience will satisfy the minimum requirements.

Work Experience:

• Experience working as an Administrative Assistant or Curatorial Assistant preferred
• Experience in a museum, cultural organization, or gallery setting preferred

Licenses and Certification:

• Valid Driver’s License

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: In the work environment described above, position requires utilizing a computer and a telephone for prolonged periods of time, bending and stretching for filing, standing and sitting with the ability to move around galleries, the classrooms, and throughout the museum. The position requires verbal and written conversation with others. Visual acuity to review written materials is required for this job.
• Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, museum spaces, and in communities served. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.