ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Curatorial Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

BANDANA

Curatorial Assistant

Manhattan, NY

$25.25/hr

Curatorial Assistant Whitney Museum Greenwich Village, 99 Gansevoort St Base pay starts at $25.25/hr. The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude ...

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 ...

Miami University

Curatorial Assistant/Fellow

Oxford, OH · On-site

Curatorial Assistant/Fellow The Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM) at Miami University seeks a Curatorial Assistant /Fellow to assist the Curator of Exhibitions and museum team members in ...

Harvard University

Curatorial Assistant II

Boston, MA · On-site

The Curatorial Assistant conducts curatorial tasks in the Herbarium of Cultivated Plants, inventories plants in the living collections, and supports other plant records and curatorial initiatives ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCuratorial Assistant Jobs

Curatorial Assistant information

See salary details

$7

$21

$32

How much do curatorial assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 20, 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 does a curatorial assistant do?

A curatorial assistant supports museum or gallery curators by helping with research, cataloging collections, preparing exhibitions, and managing administrative tasks. They often use collections management software and need strong organizational skills to assist in the care and display of artworks or artifacts.

How much do assistant curators get paid?

Assistant curators typically earn between $30,000 and $50,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the size of the institution. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with specialized skills or advanced degrees can earn higher salaries. Benefits often include professional development opportunities and access to museum collections.

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.

How to become a curator with no experience?

To become a curator with no experience, start by gaining relevant education such as a degree in art history, museum studies, or a related field. Volunteer or intern at museums or galleries to build practical skills and network within the industry, and develop knowledge of collections management, research, and exhibit planning.

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 skills should a curatorial assistant have?

A curatorial assistant should have strong research and organizational skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of art history or relevant collections. Proficiency with collection management software and good communication abilities are also important for coordinating exhibitions and supporting curatorial staff.

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
Curatorial Assistant

Curatorial Assistant

BANDANA

Manhattan, NY

$25.25/hr

Other

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Curatorial Assistant

Whitney Museum

Greenwich Village, 99 Gansevoort St

Base pay starts at $25.25/hr.

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.

Job description

A full-time Curatorial Assistant position is available. The incumbent will work with the Director of Curatorial Affairs and the Curatorial Department Manager to assist with scholarly projects as well as a variety of project-related administrative tasks across the Curatorial department. Excellent research and writing skills are essential, as well as a deep knowledge of 20th- and 21st-century art history.

Responsibilities include: - 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 artists, donors, and gallerists - TMS data entry - Support for acquisitions for the Whitney's permanent collection, including coordination with Conservation, Registration, and Documentation departments - Overall administrative support - Other tasks as needed to support the work of the Curatorial department

Qualifications

Job requirements: Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in 20th- and 21st-century art and art history, with a particular interest in art from the second half of the 20th century; 1-2 years of gallery, museum or relevant experience; excellent 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. Some knowledge of exhibition preparation procedures is useful. The incumbent has demonstrated the capacity to take initiative, work thoughtfully, quickly, thoroughly, and collegially, and respect the day-to-day process as much as the end result.

Apply