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Art Museum Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Smithsonian Institution

Museum Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site +1

$85K - $111K/yr

SAAM shares the stories of our nation through American art and craft to inspire reflection, spark dialogue, and build connections. Learn more about this agency Duties Help The Museum Specialist (Art ...

Milwaukee Art Museum

Setup Technician

Milwaukee, WI

$15.61/hr

Set up and tear down of events taking place at Milwaukee Art Museum. Flexible availability is a plus with a high demand during 2nd shift hours, 2pm - 1am. Duties & Responsibilities: * Responsible for ...

21c Museum Hotels

Art Handler

Louisville, KY

We combine a multi-venue contemporary art museum, boutique hotel, and chef-driven restaurant to create a unique and welcoming opportunity. Join our Flock! The Art Handler is responsible for all ...

Tacoma Art Museum

Major Gifts Officer

Tacoma, WA

$77K - $100K/yr

Summary of Position Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) seeks a dedicated Major Gifts Officer to join our Development team to help the Museum become the most community-centered art museum in the Northwest, and ...

Vanderbilt University

Museum Registrar

Nashville, TN · On-site

East Asian art; twentieth-century photography; and modern and contemporary art, broadly defined. The museum presents exhibitions of all types of art from antiquity to the contemporary. Its mission is ...

Tacoma Art Museum

Major Gifts Officer

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$68K - $78K/yr

Summary of Position Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) seeks a dedicated Major Gifts Officer to join our Development team to help the Museum become the most community-centered art museum in the Northwest, and ...

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$27K

$69.6K

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How much do art museum jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for art museum in the United States is $69,553.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,000.00 and $99,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an art museum curator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Art Museum Curator, you need expertise in art history, collection management, and exhibit design, typically supported by a master's degree in art history or museum studies. Familiarity with collection management software, digital archiving tools, and conservation techniques is essential. Strong communication, organizational skills, and creative problem-solving help in engaging audiences and collaborating with artists and stakeholders. These capabilities ensure meaningful exhibitions, effective stewardship of collections, and a rich visitor experience.

What is the difference between Art Museum vs Art Gallery?

AspectArt MuseumArt Gallery
CredentialsTypically requires art history or museum studies degreesOften requires art or design background, less formal education
Work EnvironmentIndoor, climate-controlled, public spaces with exhibitsIndoor, often more commercial or private spaces, may include sales
Employer & IndustryPublic or private institutions dedicated to preservation and educationCommercial or private spaces focused on sales and exhibitions
Common Search & ComparisonPeople compare art museums and art galleries to understand differences in purpose and experience

While both art museums and art galleries showcase artworks, art museums focus on preservation, education, and public access, often requiring specialized degrees. Art galleries primarily serve as commercial spaces for selling and exhibiting art, with less emphasis on preservation. Understanding these differences helps visitors and professionals choose the right environment for their interests or careers.

What are some common challenges faced by staff working in an art museum, and how can they be effectively managed?

Working in an art museum often involves balancing the preservation of valuable artworks with providing an engaging visitor experience. Staff may face challenges such as maintaining security, handling delicate pieces, and managing large crowds during special exhibitions. Effective communication with team members, regular training on conservation practices, and using visitor flow strategies can help address these challenges. Collaborative problem-solving and a strong focus on both guest service and collection care are key to a successful work environment.

What are jobs in an art museum?

Art museum jobs involve the curation, care, acquisition, and display of artwork and the general operation of a museum or gallery. There are many different career options in this field. For example, you could work a curator, a career in which your duties involve managing gallery operations and the display of artwork. As an archivist, you manage and catalog the art collection from each period. You can also install artwork and make exhibit repairs and improvements as a technician. After you gain experience in the art world, you can move up to a museum director position and oversee the entire museum.

More about Art Museum jobs

What cities are hiring for Art Museum jobs?

Cities with the most Art Museum job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Art Museum jobs?

The most popular types of Art Museum jobs are:

What states have the most Art Museum jobs?

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Art Museum jobs near you
Infographic showing various Art Museum job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,553 per year, or $33.4 per hour.

Patty Gerstenblith Legal Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law

Field Museum

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 hours ago

Job description

Position: Patty Gerstenblith Legal Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law
FLSA Status: Exempt
Department: Office of VP and General Counsel
Our Mission: Since the 1893 World Columbian Exposition, the Field Museum of Natural History has aimed to connect people to the natural environment and human history.
Join our team and enjoy a benefits package that truly supports your well-being and lifestyle:
  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, dental, vision plans, and even pet insurance.
  • Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan to help you plan for the future.
  • Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure you have time to recharge and spend with loved ones.
  • Exclusive Perks: Enjoy great employee discounts and complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.

The Patty Gerstenblith Fellowship in Art, Museum, and Cultural Heritage Law is a two-year position for early-career attorneys (a one-year term may be considered upon request). The Fellow will gain first-hand experience in the legal questions and practical concerns related to repatriation, acquisitions, provenance, research, and exhibition of scientific specimens and items of cultural heritage, as well as the broad range of other legal concerns facing not-for-profits, providing the Fellow with experiences applicable to counseling museums and other cultural organizations. The Fellowship will provide professional development opportunities, including conference attendance and an opportunity to complete a relevant professional certification.
The Legal Fellow reports to the General Counsel and serves as part of the Museum's in-house legal team. The Office of General Counsel protects the legal interests of the Museum, providing advice and counsel to senior management and other staff members in all departments of the Museum on a variety of matters, including but, not limited to, non-profit governance, collections management practices, labor and employment, compliance, risk management, contracts, intellectual property, charitable contributions, and cultural property.
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Provides legal support and assistance to the Museum Repatriation Center regarding NAGPRA compliance and related legal issues.
  • Assists the Collections Center with provenance research and analysis of collections items and potential acquisitions, compliance with cultural property laws and other import/export requirements.
  • Assists in identifying legal risks to the Museum and recommends appropriate risk mitigation strategies.
  • Drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts, transactional agreements, and other legal documents in a variety of areas.
  • Works closely with Museum staff to ensure that projects, procedures, contracts, and other documents meet the Museum's needs and protect the Museum's interests.
  • Assists in designing, drafting, and reviewing Museum policies and procedures; provides guidance on best practices.
  • Monitors compliance with applicable laws and regulations and recommends policy and contract changes, as necessary.
  • Keeps informed of emerging legal issues which may affect the Museum and provides advice and counsel on such.
  • Provides other legal assistance as required.

Education and Experience:
  • Juris Doctorate (JD) from an ABA accredited institution.
  • Candidate must be in their first five years of practice.
  • Licensed to practice law in Illinois or eligible for and achieve admission or waive in to the Illinois Bar within a reasonable timeframe; must maintain law license for duration of employment.
  • Candidates awaiting bar exam results are welcome to apply.
  • Experience or demonstrated interest in working with museums, cultural organizations, not-for-profits, or institutions of higher education preferred.

Skills and Competencies:
  • Excellent legal, analytical, drafting, and written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate at all levels within the organization.
  • Experience in reviewing and drafting a variety of transactional agreements and legal documents.
  • Ability to prioritize, meet multiple, concurrent deadlines, and oversee a variety of projects to successful conclusion, working both independently and as part of a group.
  • Ability to develop and sustain collaborative, collegial relationships with varied internal clients and external constituencies.
  • Sound and practical business judgement and common sense; high standards for integrity.
  • Ability and willingness to gain expertise and perform work in unfamiliar areas of the law.

Applications must include the following:
  • Resume
  • Cover letter
  • A personal statement (not to exceed 500 words) describing your interest in art, museum, and cultural heritage law and how this Fellowship will support your career goals
  • Three professional or academic references

Supervision Received:
Receives supervision by the General Counsel
Supervision Exercised:
The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities
Work Hours:
35 hours/week
Term:
Two years; a one-year term may be considered upon request.
Hybrid Eligibility:
Eligible
Location:
1400 S. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. Chicago, IL 60605
Union Representation: This position is union exempt
Pay Range: $65,000 - 80,000/annually
PLEASE READ: *When you apply for multiple positions, please make sure to delete your previous resume and cover letter and upload the latest version of your resume and cover letter that is relevant to the job you are applying for, every time you apply. This will help our hiring managers access the correct documents. Please note that removing the resume and cover letter will not delete any previously submitted resumes and cover letters.
The Field Museum is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, embracing diversity, and fostering mutual respect. We value the unique perspectives each team member brings, which empowers our ability to innovate and overcome challenges.
At the Field Museum, we are dedicated to making our career website and recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you encounter any difficulty when using or accessing our online application, or if you need a reasonable accommodation for completing your application, participating in interviews, or any other part of the selection process, please reach out to us at recruitment@fieldmuseum.org.

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