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Curatorial Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

American Museum

Curatorial Associate

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$93K - $98K/yr

Curatorial Associate The American Museum of Natural History is one of the world's preeminent ... Experience with geoscience research and/or geoscience collections. Experience and/or training in ...

Unf

Assistant Curator

Jacksonville, FL

$42K/yr

Department MOCA, Curatorial Compensation $42,000.00 Annual General Description The Assistant ... Research and Writing * Draft and edit exhibition texts, including labels, didactics, proposals, and ...

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Curatorial Research information

What is the difference between Curatorial Research vs Curator?

AspectCuratorial ResearchCurator
CredentialsRelevant degrees in art history, museum studies, or related fieldsSimilar credentials, often with additional experience in curation
Work EnvironmentResearch-focused, often in museums, galleries, or academic settingsExhibitions, collections management, public engagement in museums or galleries
Primary ResponsibilitiesConducting research, analyzing artworks, developing exhibition conceptsSelecting artworks, designing exhibitions, overseeing installation and public programs

While both roles require art history knowledge and research skills, Curatorial Research primarily focuses on investigating and analyzing artworks and themes, whereas Curators are responsible for the overall development and management of exhibitions and collections. The roles often overlap but differ in scope and daily activities.

What is curatorial research?

Curatorial research involves investigating, analyzing, and interpreting artworks, historical objects, or cultural artifacts to support exhibitions, collections, and museum programming. Professionals in this field gather information from various sources, such as archives, libraries, and interviews, to provide context and deeper understanding of the items they study. Their work informs the development of exhibitions, publications, and educational materials, ensuring accuracy and relevance for diverse audiences. Curatorial researchers often collaborate with artists, scholars, and other museum staff to create engaging and meaningful experiences for the public.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in curatorial research, and how can they be addressed?

Curatorial research professionals often face challenges such as limited access to rare or fragile materials, balancing multiple exhibition deadlines, and ensuring the accuracy of historical contexts. Working collaboratively with conservation teams, librarians, and subject matter experts helps address these issues. Additionally, staying organized and using digital research tools can streamline workflows and allow for more effective collaboration across departments, ultimately supporting the creation of informative and engaging exhibitions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Curatorial Research, and why are they important?

To thrive in Curatorial Research, a strong background in art history or related fields, research expertise, and often an advanced degree (such as an MA or PhD) are essential. Familiarity with collections management systems, digital archives, and cataloguing tools is typically required. Exceptional analytical skills, attention to detail, and clear written and verbal communication help curators present research and collaborate with museum staff and the public. These competencies ensure high-quality scholarship, accurate documentation, and engaging exhibitions that support institutional goals.
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Curatorial Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Curatorial Research job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, and 99% Full Time. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.
Kiki Pohlad '13 Curatorial Assistant

Kiki Pohlad '13 Curatorial Assistant

Skidmore College

Saratoga Springs, NY • On-site

$24.73 - $25.83/hr

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Skidmore College rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

242nd of 539 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Job Description
The Curatorial Assistant (CA) will assist the Associate Curator, Malloy Curator, and Dayton Director in research, administrative, and editorial tasks for exhibitions and accompanying publications. The CA will also help facilitate access to the museum collection; give public, private, and class-based tours of the museum and exhibitions; respond to external requests for images and research on the museum collection; and supervise student interns. The CA has the opportunity to propose and execute exhibitions and programs that they author. Because of the broad scope of the museum's exhibitions and goals, the successful candidate will have a wide range of interests, the ability to learn quickly, an innate aptitude for flexibility, the ability to juggle multiple tasks on projects with both near and distant deadlines, and a positive solutions-oriented approach.
  • Assists in all aspects of department administration, providing critical support to the Associate Curator, Malloy Curator, and Dayton Director on all exhibitions, publications, and other projects. This work necessitates a high level of organization at broad project levels as well as detail-oriented attention to project logistics and communications and a dedication to ensuring the department meets internally and externally set deadlines.
  • Organizes and maintains exhibition checklists. Works closely with individual curators to keep all images and artwork captions up-to-date and communicates changes to relevant departments.
  • Communicates about curatorial projects across departments, including but not limited to collaborating with registrars on loan requests and followups; brainstorming with engagement team about programming; offering ideas, images, and writing for social media and other publicity; providing information and feedback to designer. Communicates with external book designers and other freelancers about individual projects.
  • Writes and/or edits exhibition and publication texts under the supervision of the organizing curator. Requires research skills, in-depth knowledge of contemporary art and art history, excellent writing skills, and experience in proofreading or other editing texts. Knowledge of Chicago Manual of Style required.
  • Organize exhibition images. This work includes liaising with outside photographers, ensuring all exhibitions are photographed in a timely fashion, working with supervising curators to review and approve images, communicating with Tang Museum colleagues about using and locating approved images.
  • Manage exhibition catalogs and other publications. Work with individual curators to ensure that publications stay on track by liaising with photo editors, designers, writers, outside editors, and printers. Edit or proofread texts that come from a variety of sources including newly commissioned interviews and essays, existing gallery texts, reviews, historic material, and so on; secure hi-res images and copyright permissions as needed.
  • Offer support to the Associate Curator on cataloging and digitization needs by researching the collection, completing data-entry tasks, and updating approved revisions to cataloging data in the collections management system, EmbARK. Experience with a collection management system preferred, though training is provided for the right candidate.
  • Correspond and engage with museum colleagues and scholars external to the Tang. This work might include responding to requests: to publish images by ensuring such use is acceptable, providing captions and hi-res images; to borrow Tang collection artwork on loan; for research on the Tang collection or past exhibitions. Responsibly represents the curatorial department, the museum, and the museum mission both on and off campus by giving public and private tours to campus and external groups, attending art fairs and conferences, and assisting in hosting responsibilities for visiting artists and scholars.
  • The CA is invited to propose their own authored exhibitions, programs, or other projects; if approved, this work includes executing the project from initial conception/proposal through to realization, managing all logistical details, collaborating with key artists, and communicating across museum departments.
  • Supervise 3-5 student interns. Assign projects and deadlines, provide training as needed, and review and offer feedback to interns on all tasks.

Education: The successful candidate will also have a Bachelor's Degree, in addition to museum and/or prior work experience.
Required documents needed to apply:
  • On-line application
  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • List of Three References

Pay Range: $24.73 - $25.83 per hour ($45,000-$47,000 annually) for this 35 hours per week, 12 months per year position commensurate with experience.
EEO STATEMENT
Skidmore College is committed to being an inclusive campus community and, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, dating violence, or stalking, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Employment at Skidmore College is contingent upon an acceptable background check result.
CREATIVE THOUGHT MATTERS.

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