ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Curatorial Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Miamioh

Curatorial Assistant/Fellow

Oxford, OH

Job Title Curatorial Assistant/Fellow Department Art Museum Worker Type Temporary (Fixed Term) Pay Type Period Activity Pay Benefit Eligible Yes Summary The Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCuratorial JobsCuratorial Assistant Jobs

Curatorial Assistant information

See salary details

$7

$21

$32

How much do curatorial assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for curatorial assistant in the United States is $21.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $24.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Curatorial Assistants?

Curatorial Assistants are professionals who support curators in museums, galleries, or cultural institutions with the planning, organization, and management of collections and exhibitions. Their duties often include researching objects, handling administrative tasks, cataloguing items, assisting with exhibit installation, and communicating with artists or lenders. They play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of curatorial projects and help facilitate public engagement with art and historical artifacts.

What are some typical challenges Curatorial Assistants face when supporting exhibition planning?

Curatorial Assistants often encounter challenges like managing tight deadlines, coordinating with multiple departments, and ensuring the accuracy of cataloging and documentation. Balancing administrative duties with research tasks can be demanding, especially during periods of exhibition preparation. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are crucial, as Curatorial Assistants frequently collaborate with registrars, conservators, and external lenders to ensure the smooth execution of exhibitions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Curatorial Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Curatorial Assistant, you generally need a background in art history, museum studies, or a related field, often supported by a bachelor's degree. Familiarity with collection management software, digital cataloging systems, and basic research tools is typically required. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for excelling in this role. These competencies ensure accurate collections care, seamless exhibition planning, and effective collaboration with curators and other museum staff.

What Is a Curatorial Assistant?

Curatorial assistants assist the curators with the daily operations of a museum, art gallery, or historical site. They perform a number of different functions, depending on the type of facility in which they work. Museum curatorial assistants may set up and tear down exhibits, straighten up visitor areas, and distribute educational materials to patrons. In an art gallery, they may be responsible for organizing the viewing presentations and schedule for featured artists. Historical buildings utilize curatorial assistants to authenticate artifacts found at the site.

What is the difference between Curatorial Assistant vs Collections Assistant?

AspectCuratorial AssistantCollections Assistant
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in art history, museum studies, or related fieldBachelor's degree often in museum studies, art, or related field
Work EnvironmentMuseums, galleries, cultural institutions, assisting curatorsMuseums, archives, or collections management departments
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in museums and art institutionsIn museums, galleries, and cultural organizations
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in curatorial teamsUnderstanding roles in collections management

The main difference is that a Curatorial Assistant supports curators with research, exhibition planning, and educational programs, while a Collections Assistant focuses on cataloging, preserving, and managing collections. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work in museum environments, but their specific responsibilities differ based on whether they support curatorial activities or collections management.

More about Curatorial Assistant jobs
What cities are hiring for Curatorial Assistant jobs? Cities with the most Curatorial Assistant job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Curatorial jobs? The most popular types of Curatorial jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Curatorial Assistant jobs? The top employers for Curatorial Assistant jobs are:
What states have the most Curatorial Assistant jobs? States with the most job openings for Curatorial Assistant jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Curatorial Assistant jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Curatorial Assistant jobs are:
Curatorial Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Curatorial Assistant job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,709 per year, or $22 per hour.
Curatorial Assistant

Curatorial Assistant

Whitney Museum of American Art

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$31 - $32/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

The Whitney Museum is looking for a full-time Curatorial Assistant, reporting jointly to the Steven and Ann Ames Curator of Drawings and Prints and the Sondra Gilman Curator of Photography. The Curatorial Assistant will assist the curators withscholarly projects as well as a variety of administrative tasks. Excellent research and writing skills are essential, as well as a deep knowledge of 20th- and 21st-centuryart history.
Applications must be received by July 10 2026.
Responsibilities
  • Assistance in planning, research, organization and installation of exhibitions
  • Assistance with catalogues and other publications, both print and digital
  • Research on artists for curatorial projects and acquisitions; writing didactic labels, press releases and other copy
  • Serving as liaison with Curators' contacts, including artists, donors and gallerists; acquisition of works for the Whitney's permanent collection, including coordination with Conservation, Registration and Documentation departments
  • TMS data entry
  • Other tasks as needed to support the work of the Curatorial Department.

Requirements
  • B.A. required
  • Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in 20th- and 21st-centuryart history and contemporary art
  • 2 years museum, gallery, or other relevant experience
  • Excellent clerical and organizational skills, including experience with TMS, Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Excellent writing, research, and communication skills, with attention to detail and accuracy
  • Ability to handle several projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
  • Knowledge of exhibition preparation procedures is helpful

Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work thoughtfully, quickly, thoroughly, and collegially, and respect the day-to-day process as much as the end result.
Compensation & Benefits:
  • Compensation rate $31-$32 per hour
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(B) elections
  • Generous PTO benefits
  • Commuter benefits - parking and mass transit
  • Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally
  • Pet insurance and discounted membership for Citibike
  • This position will be covered by UAW Local 2110
About the Whitney
The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney's mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.
EEO Statement
The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, pregnancy, partnership status, caregiver status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, predisposition, or carrier status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

Apply