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Associate Curator Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

RH

Associate Gallery Leader

Chicago, IL · On-site

$39K - $46K/yr

We are moving the brand beyond curating and selling products to conceptualizing and selling spaces ... The Associate Gallery Leader will be responsible for leadership across all facets of the business.

AbbVie

Associate, Study Management III

North Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$32.25 - $44/hr

The Study Management Associate III works as an independent, contributing member of a cross ... curation and filing. o Ensure inspection readiness and participate in related activities. Risk ...

AbbVie

Associate, Study Management III

North Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$32.25 - $44/hr

The Study Management Associate III works as an independent, contributing member of a cross ... curation and filing. o Ensure inspection readiness and participate in related activities. Risk ...

New

Flexihire Talent

Stock Associate - Armitage

Chicago, IL

$19 - $21/hr

Our dream is a modern neighborhood market that blends thoughtful curation, real hospitality, and ... Stock Associate --> Receiving Lead --> Assistant Store Manager Benefits * Chicago Paid Leave: 40 ...

Flexihire Talent

Stock Associate - Diversey

Chicago, IL

$19 - $21/hr

Our dream is a modern neighborhood market that blends thoughtful curation, real hospitality, and ... Stock Associate --> Receiving Lead --> Assistant Store Manager Benefits * Chicago Paid Leave: 40 ...

Flexihire Talent

Sales Associate - Diversey

Chicago, IL

$17 - $19/hr

Our dream is a modern neighborhood market that blends thoughtful curation, real hospitality, and ... Sales Associate --> Shift Lead --> Assistant Store Manager Benefits * Chicago Paid Leave: 40 hours ...

Flexihire Talent

Sales Associate - Armitage

Chicago, IL

$17 - $19/hr

Our dream is a modern neighborhood market that blends thoughtful curation, real hospitality, and ... Sales Associate --> Shift Lead --> Assistant Store Manager Benefits * Chicago Paid Leave: 40 hours ...

La-Z-Boy

Joybird Design Sales Associate

Deer Park, IL

$50K - $80K/yr

Design Sales Associate - Joybird Location: Deer Park, IL Compensation: Base + Unlimited Commission ... Curating luxury looks while earning commissions with no ceiling. What You'll Get: * Unlimited ...

Joybird

Joybird Design Sales Associate

Deer Park, IL

$18/hr

Design Sales Associate - Joybird Location: Deer Park, IL Compensation: Base + Unlimited Commission ... Curating luxury looks while earning commissions with no ceiling. What You'll Get: * Unlimited ...

La-Z-Boy

Joybird Design Sales Associate

Deer Park, IL · On-site

$50K - $80K/yr

Design Sales Associate - Joybird Location: Deer Park, IL Compensation: Base + Unlimited Commission ... Curating luxury looks while earning commissions with no ceiling. What You'll Get: * Unlimited ...

Invenergy LLC

Associate, Land Development

Chicago, IL · On-site

$80K - $93K/yr

Position Overview As an Associate, Land Development you will work with the Land Development team to ... Takes lead role in curative tracking process including leading developer/land agent calls and ...

Invenergy

Associate, Land Development

Chicago, IL

$80K - $93K/yr

Position Overview As an Associate, Land Development you will work with the Land Development team to ... Takes lead role in curative tracking process including leading developer/land agent calls and ...

Invenergy LLC

Associate, Land Development

Chicago, IL

$80K - $93K/yr

Position Overview As an Associate, Land Development you will work with the Land Development team to ... Takes lead role in curative tracking process including leading developer/land agent calls and ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsAssociate Curator JobsAssociate Curator Jobs in Chicago, IL

Associate Curator information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$18

$29

$36

How much do associate curator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate curator in Chicago, IL is $29.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.02 and $32.45 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate curator?

Associate Curators are museum or gallery professionals responsible for assisting in the development, organization, and management of collections and exhibitions. They work closely with senior curators to research, acquire, and interpret objects or artworks, and may also help design and implement educational programs. Their role often involves cataloging items, preparing materials for display, and collaborating with other departments to enhance the visitor experience. Associate Curators are typically early- to mid-career professionals who contribute to both the scholarly and practical aspects of a museum or gallery’s mission.

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

To thrive as an Associate Curator, you need a solid background in art history or a related field, often supported by a master's degree and prior museum experience. Familiarity with collection management systems, exhibition planning software, and research databases is typically required. Strong organizational, communication, and collaboration skills help you coordinate exhibitions and engage diverse audiences. These competencies ensure effective stewardship of collections, successful programming, and enhanced visitor experiences.

What are some typical challenges faced by an associate curator when developing new exhibitions?

Associate Curators often navigate challenges such as balancing scholarly research with audience engagement, managing tight deadlines, and coordinating with multiple departments like education, marketing, and installation teams. They must ensure that the exhibition aligns with the institution's mission and collection strengths while also appealing to a diverse audience. Additionally, Associate Curators regularly collaborate with artists, lenders, and conservators, which requires strong communication and organizational skills.

What is the difference between Associate Curator vs Collections Manager?

AspectAssociate CuratorCollections Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in art, history, or related field; experience in curationBachelor's degree; experience in collections management, preservation, or related field
Work EnvironmentMuseums, galleries, cultural institutionsMuseums, archives, cultural institutions
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in museums and galleries for curatorial rolesUsed in museums and cultural institutions for managing collections
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for roles involving curation and collection oversightCompared with curatorial roles for collection management responsibilities

The Associate Curator primarily focuses on developing exhibitions, researching collections, and assisting with curation. The Collections Manager handles the preservation, cataloging, and physical management of collections. While both roles work closely within museums, the Associate Curator emphasizes research and exhibition planning, whereas the Collections Manager concentrates on collection care and logistics.

Do I need a degree to be an associate curator?

An associate curator typically benefits from a bachelor's degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field, though requirements can vary by employer. Relevant experience, internships, and knowledge of collections management are also important for this role.

Is an associate curator higher than an assistant curator?

Yes, an associate curator is generally higher than an assistant curator. The associate curator typically has more experience, responsibilities, and authority in managing collections and exhibitions, while the assistant curator supports these tasks and often is earlier in their career. Career progression usually moves from assistant to associate to senior or chief curator roles.

What are the most commonly searched types of Curator jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Curator jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Curator jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Associate Curator jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Curator jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Curator jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Associate Curator jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Associate Curator job openings:

Associate Curator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Curator job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,563 per year, or $29.6 per hour.

Associate Gallery Leader

RH

Chicago, IL • On-site

$39K - $46K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Restoration Hardware rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 50 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

18th of 63 rated furniture retailers

Job description

RH at its core is about taste, and we believe the idea of scaling taste is large and far reaching.

The RH brand attracts the best designers, artisans, manufacturers and talent in our industry, scaling and rendering their work more valuable across our integrated platform, enabling us to curate the most compelling collection of luxury home furnishings in the world. We are moving the brand beyond curating and selling products to conceptualizing and selling spaces by building an ecosystem of products, places, services and spaces that elevates and establishes the RH brand as a global thought leader, taste and place maker.

At RH we believe deeply that the "right" people are our greatest asset. We value people with high energy, who possess the ability to energize others. People who are smart, creative and have a point of view. People who see the answer in every problem, versus those who see the problem in every answer. People who are driven, determined and won't take "no" for an answer. We value team players, people who are more concerned with what's right, rather than who's right.

The Associate Gallery Leader will be responsible for leadership across all facets of the business. This leader is expected to deliver first-class service, creating a luxury experience for our Associates by removing obstacles, providing support, and ensuring that teams feel empowered to "do the right thing".  They will have a passion for luxury design and lead a cross-functional team focused on strategy and execution.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Live Our Vision, Values and Beliefs every day
  • Represent the RH brand through polished communication, personal appearance and professionalism
  • Display a passion for luxury design and educate teams on our product assortment and the RH point of view
  • Boldly coach, lead and develop teams to promote a positive and dynamic environment
  • Continuously drive results through team engagement, empowerment and accountability 
  • Attract the right talent at all levels for our ever-changing business
  • Embrace change and deliver top results with a positive attitude no matter what the obstacle
  • Recognize and respond appropriately to complex priorities and address all human resources concerns quickly, in partnership with the People Team

OUR REQUIREMENTS

  • 7+ years of leadership experience in high-end furniture, design showrooms, or luxury retail 
  • Superior organization and leadership skills
  • Exceptional analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills
  • Proven ability to motivate, influence and inspire yourself and others 
  • Commitment to Quality with exceptional attention to detail 
  • Strategic and mental agility
  • Results-driven
  • Gains insights from mistakes, seeks constructive feedback from colleagues and supervisors to improve results
  • Possess the passion and ability to master and execute the RH design aesthetic
  • Proficiency with Mac Operating System, Microsoft Office and Google Applications

OUR PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to lift and mobilize small to medium items up to 25 lbs. while utilizing appropriate equipment and techniques
  • Ability to maneuver effectively around Gallery floor, stock room and office
  • Position entails prolonged standing, twisting, stooping, kneeling, squatting, bending and climbing
RH is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, or any other status protected by federal or state law or local ordinance.

At RH, we are committed to promoting pay equity. Rate of pay is determined based on each individual's experience, qualifications, and the geographic location of the role.

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