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Curatorial Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

SAIC

History Program Specialist

Springfield, VA

Focus on artifact section, storage, and curation requirements while assisting the Historian in ... The ability to assist with multiple tasks and prioritize assignments effectively in a fast-paced ...

SAIC

History Program Specialist

Springfield, VA · On-site

Focus on artifact section, storage, and curation requirements while assisting the Historian in ... The ability to assist with multiple tasks and prioritize assignments effectively in a fast-paced ...

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Curatorial Assistant information

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$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.

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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.
Senior GEOINT History Program Specialist 122-021 with Security Clearance

Senior GEOINT History Program Specialist 122-021 with Security Clearance

IC-CAP

Springfield, VA • On-site

Contractor

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

The Senior GEOINT History Program Specialist, takes direction from the NGA Historian and is responsible for the management and execution of the historical program, from research and writing to curation and operations. This individual leads the support to operate and maintain the material culture aspects of NGA's history, to operate and maintain the archives and all associated material residing in the Historical Research Center, and to preserve and communicate NGA's history to NGA's employees and public affairs mission both internally externally. Duties include content development and execution, Historical Research Center management, museum management, and archiving and curation.

As the senior level historian, provide oversight of history services within the contract to include AP Style copy editing. Duties may Include: * Content Development & Execution: Research, develop, and, execute a high volume of historical content illustrating NGA's history for both internal and external audiences. Products include articles, brochures, social media posts, podcast production, website content, museum exhibits, and museum tour guides.

* Historical Research Center Management: Focus on artifact section, storage, and curation requirements while assisting the NGA Historian in refining internal charge out and external loan procedures for artifacts. This also includes archival management, artifact curation, and preservation. Key duties include processing, inventorying, and organizing all archival records and historical artifacts, ensuring their proper care and accessibility.

Locate new materials and advise government customers on acquisition, preservation, and display possibilities. Help identify items for deaccession and work the process for proper removal. * NGA Museum Management: Work with other museums on loans, exhibits, artifact solicitation, and advise in acquisition decisions.

This also includes researching, developing, and producing historical displays, posters, exhibits, museum experiences, conducting guided museum tours and any museum specific communications about NGA history program. * Internal Collaboration & Oversight: Provide copy editing and quality assurance for all history program products. Support the NGA Historian on inventorying and accountability procedures for historical artifacts in NGA custody to include measurement metrics and assisting in history program audits.

Required Education, Experience and Skills: * Education: A minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in History, Geography, Library Science, Museum Studies, Museum Science, or a related field. * Experience: A minimum of 8 years of hands-on experience in the career field of history, geography, library science, museum studies, or museum science role. * In lieu of a bachelor's degree , the candidate must have an additional 8+ years of direct museum practice, artifact preservation, curation, or history-related positions.

* Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication abilities with an eagerness to draft, edit, and proofread materials. * Attention to Detail: A high degree of accuracy and thoroughness when completing tasks such as inventorying and entering records metadata, or recording the origins and significance of archival materials. * Organizational Skills: The ability to assist with multiple tasks and prioritize assignments effectively in a fast-paced support role.

Organize archival records and apply the proper classification systems to facilitate access to archival materials. * Interpersonal Skills: The ability to build effective working relationships with internal colleagues and community partners. * Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while also functioning as a collaborative and reliable team member.

* Written and Verbal Communication: Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible language. * Project Coordination: Experience managing smaller projects from start to finish, including coordinating with multiple stakeholders to meet deadlines. Security Clearance: * Active TS/SCI clearance and the willingness to sit for a CI polygraph, if needed IC-CAP provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status.

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