Curatorial Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Clark Art Institute is pleased to announce the Lunde Fellow. This two-year fellowship is funded by the Asbjorn Lunde Foundation and offers exceptional scholarly and professional training to an emerging early modern European painting and sculpture curator. The focal point of the fellowship will be organizing and contributing materials for an ambitious scholarly catalogue of the Clark's collection of fifteenth- through eighteenth-century paintings and sculpture, which includes the recently gifted Aso O. Tavitian Collection. Publication of the Clark's early modern painting and sculpture collection will meet the Clark's mission to advance and extend the public understanding of art by: making a fully documented catalogue of this significant collection available to the field of art scholarship; researching the collecting practices of Sterling and Francine Clark, as well as other collectors contemporary to their time; and creating a body of research that, in addition to publication, will be repurposed for multiple uses by scholarly and general audiences in various formats and contexts, including for the new Aso O. Tavitian Wing, opening in 2028.

The fellow will research each object's provenance, exhibition history, and bibliography, while coordinating the technical examination of the collection by conservators, in hopes of gathering new research on artists' techniques, materials, and processes. The resulting research will alsobe made accessible to all through the Clark's online collections portal. The Lunde Fellow will be a fully integrated member of the curatorial team and will gain unparalleled experience and mentorship in preparation for a career as a curator of early modern art.

Anticipated September 2026 start date.

Major Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Work closely with curatorial, registration, and publications staff on the organization of a major publication
• Conduct in-depth research on fifteenth- through eighteenth-century paintings and sculpture in the Clark's collection in addition to ongoing research on the Tavitian Collection

• Assess curatorial object files and build new files as needed
• Organize bibliographies, exhibition history, and provenance within object files
• Assist Aso O. Tavitian Curator of Early Modern European Painting and Sculpture with identifying potential catalogue entry writers
• Work with Tavitian Curator and Clark Publications Manager to establish the timeline, framework, and other details for publication
• Identify objects that need to be photographed and coordinate/schedule new photography
• Review existing conservation documents for each painting and plan for a conservation assessment
• Work with Head of Registration to coordinate technical examination of objects at the Williamstown + Atlanta Art Conservation Center
• Assist with preparation of materials for additional grant and other funding proposals and reports for this project
• As time permits, undertake additional object research for the catalogue

• Present public lecture on research (if desired).
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training, and Skills

• PhD or ABD in Art History required
• Demonstrated interest and prior accomplishment in the field of early modern European paintings and sculpture, through academic study and/or museum experience
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• French, Italian, and/or German language proficiency preferred
• Resourcefulness, strong initiative, adaptability, and creativity
• Strong organizational skills
• Interest in and enthusiasm for museum work, with preference given to applicants intending to pursue a curatorial career

Work Experience

• Minimum of six months of relevant experience preferred

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands:
  • Ability to sit at a desk/workstation and use a computer for prolonged periods of time.
  • Ability to stand for up to four hours.
  • Ability to physically move and handle artwork, which requires being able to lift up to 30 pounds occasionally.

• Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment and museum spaces. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Some travel, including internationally, is required.