Exhibition Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Overview
For more than 125 years, The New York Public Library (NYPL) has been an essential provider of books, information, ideas, and education. With collections numbering more than 56 million items and serving more than 16 million patrons in person each year and millions more online, NYPL's reach is both local and global. Our mission is to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen our communities.

At our world-class research centers- including the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Library at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the Library for the Performing Arts, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture- expert staff facilitate the work of our diverse communities, offering inspiring reading rooms, programs, exhibitions, fellowships, and a dynamic range of research services. Their work is supported by dedicated staff on the Collections and Research Services teams. We are proud to be the most public and widely used research library in the world.

The New York Public Library has presented exhibitions since 1911. Today, the Public Programs and Exhibitions (PPERL) team develops, organizes, and executes all exhibitions and displays within the galleries and public spaces of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Library for the Performing Arts. Exhibitions reflect the breadth of NYPL's extraordinary holdings of over 46 million items and also serve as an important platform for providing the public access to Library collections. Under the supervision of the Director of Exhibitions, the temporary Curatorial Associate will be responsible for managing the development and production of projects opening in 2027-28. The role is temporary from October 2026 through June 2027.

Responsibilities

• Manage general exhibition project management by creating project timelines and communicating deadlines to relevant stakeholders for Spring and Fall 2027 exhibitions
• Facilitate exhibitions and guide content development from initial research and proposal through narrative refinement, object selection, and text editing
• Support the Design Interpretation team in the development of graphics, audio/visual components, digital and interactive elements, and design
• Oversee development and revisions of exhibition object checklist and associated documentation, including permissions coordination
• Manage distribution of important project materials and assets
• Manage development, revision, approval, of text and other graphic elements
• Work with curators to determine appropriate content and style for all text and citation formats
• Establish implementation schedules for all exhibitions, communicate milestones for timely completion, and regularly check adherence to deadlines
• Strive to anticipate issues and solve problems as they arise
• Contribute to exhibition-related marketing, press, and web materials, including management of exhibition websites, online exhibitions, and audio guides
• Assist with coordination of loan requests with Registrars
• Perform other related duties as required

Required Education & Certifications

Master's degree in museum studies, art history, arts administration, literature, or a related field

Required Experience

• 3+ years administrative or project management experience in a not-for-profit setting, preferably in a museum or research library environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of exhibition development and implementation
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively and professionally under pressure while sustaining a high level of attention to detail

Required Skills

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with all levels of staff
• Successfully demonstrated ability to work well under minimal supervision and within stringent deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with curators, editors, preparators, conservators, registrars, exhibition and graphic designers, and publicists
• Ability to assemble and distribute information to various stakeholders in a concise and proactive manner
• Ability to draft and edit written communications for a public audience
• Experience managing project deadlines for multiple projects simultaneously
• Proficiency with Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe Acrobat
• Comfort reading architectural and design drawings

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Core Values
All team members are expected and encouraged to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Curious in all aspects of your work
• Office setting
• Public library setting
• Some work in special collections areas

Physical Duties

• Moderate lifting may be required (up to 25 lbs)
• May require travel within NYC

Pre-PlacementPhysical Required?

No

Union/Non Union
Non-Union

FLSA Status

Exempt

Schedule

• Monday through Friday, 35 hours per week, 9am-5pm
• Work is fully onsite

This job description represents the types and levels of responsibilities that will be required of the position and shall not be construed as a declaration of all of the specific duties and responsibilities for the role. Job duties may change if Library priorities change. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description as needed.

The New York Public LibrarySalary Statement

At the Library, we believe that pay transparency and pay equity are important to ensuring we source the best candidates and keep the best employees. When making a determination as to the appropriate salary for a candidate, we consider a variety of factors such, including, but not limited to, the position requirements, the skills, prior experience, and educational background required or preferred for the job, the scope and impact of the role within the organization, internal peer equity, and the candidate’s specific training, experience, education level, and skills. No single factor is conclusive; the Library reserves the right to consider any and all relevant factors and make a decision consistent with its policies.

Union Salaries are determined by collective bargaining agreement(s).

The New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information for the people of New York and beyond. With 92 locations- including research and branch libraries- throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island, the Library offers free materials, computer access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org.