ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Curatorial Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

The Phillips Collection

Curatorial Intern

Washington, DC · On-site

$17 - $22.75/hr

Responsibilities * Assist with day-to-day curatorial and/or museum administration operations. * Assist with planning and research for special exhibitions and installations. * Assist with planning for ...

Howard University

Research Assistant

Washington, DC · On-site

$24/hr

Duties and Responsibilities: * Assist with data collection, curation, preprocessing, and integration from diverse biomedical and clinical sources. * Conduct exploratory data analysis , data ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCuratorial Assistant JobsCuratorial Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA

Curatorial Assistant information

See Reston, VA salary details

$7

$22

$34

How much do curatorial assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for curatorial assistant in Reston, VA is $22.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.27 and $25.77 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 are popular job titles related to Curatorial Assistant jobs in Reston, VA? For Curatorial Assistant jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Curatorial Assistant jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Curatorial Assistant jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Curatorial Assistant jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Curatorial Assistant job openings:
Curatorial Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Curatorial Assistant job openings in Reston, VA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 4% Full Time, 90% Part Time, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,554 per year, or $22.9 per hour.
Curatorial Intern

Curatorial Intern

The Phillips Collection

Washington, DC • On-site

$17 - $22.75/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Internship Opportunity At The Phillips Collection

The Phillips Collection's internship program is open to full-time junior and senior undergraduate students, full-time graduate students, and recent graduates. The purpose of the internship program is to offer students and recent graduates meaningful work, educational experiences, and real-life practice in their fields of academic study and/or interest.

Duration: Internships tend to run ten to fifteen continuous weeks at 12-20 hours per week. Internship length and schedule may vary depending on the needs of the department. This internship will run from September 7-December 11, 2026. This intern will work directly under the Curator of Global Contemporary Art. This is a hybrid position, with interns expected to work at least two days onsite.

Academic Credit: Depending on the nature of the internship and approval of the student's college or university, academic credit may be granted for internships. Student applicants should consult their academic advisor for additional information.

Please submit a résumé, letter of interest, letter of recommendation, complete transcripts, and a writing sample with citations of up to 500 words.

Responsibilities

  • Assist with day-to-day curatorial and/or museum administration operations.
  • Assist with planning and research for special exhibitions and installations.
  • Assist with planning for publications, including requests for rights and images, compiling materials, and proofreading.
  • Conduct and gather primary and secondary research at area libraries and archives, scan and print research, and compile bibliographies.
  • Complete data entry.
  • Gather digital images and prepare PowerPoints.
  • Organize curatorial planning and research physical and digital files.
  • Take meeting notes and draft correspondence.
  • Performing other duties as assigned.
  • Assisting at evening events such as Phillips after 5 and other community events as needed.

Qualifications

  • Open to junior and senior undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates.
  • Ability to travel around Washington, D.C.
  • Knowledge of Latin American/Latinx art history preferred.
  • Proficiency in Spanish preferred.
  • Background in art history or museum studies with a focus on art history.
  • Knowledge of American and European 20th century art desired.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Strong research skills, including primary research in libraries and archives and online database research.
  • Exceptional organizational and detail-oriented abilities.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Previous experience in an art museum setting desirable but not required.

Employment at The Phillips Collection is "at-will." The Phillips Collection is an equal opportunity employer and administers all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, veteran status, personal appearance, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Apply