Curatorial Research Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA

The Curatorial Assistant provides essential administrative, research, and project support to the Chief Curator and contributes to the work of the Curatorial Department. The individual supports exhibitions and installations, art historical research, publications, acquisitions, arts committee activities, and other special projects that advance the Museum's mission as a welcoming home for all where the vision and spirit of artists thrive in intimate settings.

This full-time position includes full benefit eligibility: medical, dental, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, LTD (long-term disability), retirement, PTO (paid time off), AAM membership, Capital Bikeshare, voluntary programs, and more.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Exhibitions, Installations, and Publications

• Assist with the research, planning, organization, and implementation of exhibitions and installations organized by the Chief Curator.
• Conduct, scan, organize, and track research and bibliographies using online databases and in-person visits to local libraries and archives.
• Research, draft, edit, and proofread interpretive materials, including image files, wall texts, extended object labels, blog posts, and website/app content.
• Assist in creating and maintaining exhibition checklists, layouts, and graphics, including work on the Virtual Gallery platform.
• Support the preparation of reports, presentations, articles, lectures, and publications.

Departmental Coordination and Meetings

• Assist in planning and facilitating departmental and interdepartmental meetings, including acquisitions and loans meetings, arts committee board meetings, and team meetings.
• Take and circulate clear, accurate meeting notes.
• Support the acquisitions program through tracking, artist and object research, creation of collection files, writing object justifications for board books, preparing PowerPoint presentations, and communicating with dealers, galleries, collectors, and artists.

Public and Stakeholder Engagement

• Answer inquiries, conduct gallery tours and talks, and participate in public programs.
• Support the Chief Curator's efforts to steward relationships with members, donors, patrons, artists, and museum audiences.
• Assist with communications with colleagues, donors, partners, and lenders, including loan correspondence, loan forms, and deeds of gift.
• Help gather, draft, proofread copy for marketing and advancement materials—such as grants, press releases, prospectuses, and member magazine content—to promote the collection, exhibitions, and institutional initiatives.

Administrative and Logistical Support

• Coordinate meetings, travel, and appointments for the Chief Curator.
• Process invoices and payment requisitions.
• Coordinate logistical needs for external visitors (artists, curators, advisors), including arranging travel, lodging, and meals.
• Establish and maintain professional contacts within the local, national, and international arts community while staying current with new scholarship and issues in the field.
• Work collaboratively on curatorial and museum-wide initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• BA in Art History or a related field required; advanced degree with expertise in modern and contemporary art preferred.
• One to two years of prior museum experience.
• Superior research and analytical skills.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Keen attention to detail, accuracy, and problem-solving.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively across all levels of the institution.
• Ability to work effectively with staff, arts professionals, artists, and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, coordinate multiple complex projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
• Strong sense of accountability for achieving strategic priorities and goals.
• Working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in French desirable.