New

Curatorial Assistant

New York Historical Society
life insurance, paid time off, 403(b), retirement plan
United States, New York, New York
170 Central Park West (Show on map)
Aug 07, 2025
JOB TITLE: Curatorial Assistant DEPARTMENT: Museum - Curatorial REPORTS TO: Vice President & Chief Curator ABOUT THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL New York's first museum, The New York Historical is a leading cultural institution documenting over 400 years of American history through a peerless collection of art, documents, and artifacts. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment. The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We are home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the Center for Women's History, the Reiss Family Graduate Institute for Constitutional History, the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Center for Teaching Democracy, the DiMenna Children's History Museum, and the future American LGBTQ+ Museum. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States' democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better. JOB SUMMARY The Curatorial Assistant supports the activities of the Museum Department, including exhibitions, acquisitions, and collection projects. Under the supervision of the Vice President & Chief Curator, they support the work of curators involved in exhibition planning, research, and publications. Tasks will include maintaining and updating exhibition checklists, handling photography orders and permissions for exhibitions and publications, responding to collection inquiries, and performing exhibitions and collections-related administrative tasks and research. This position works a minimum of three days per week on-site at The New York Historical; additional in-person work may be required for exhibition installations, tours, events, interviews, and other reasons. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES Maintain and update exhibition checklists; Edit and proofread all exhibition text, graphic files, publications, press releases, etc. for the Chief Curator's review; Work with the Rights Clearance Specialist to request images and permissions from outside sources; Manage image files for upcoming exhibitions and/or publications; Order installation photography; Provide administrative support for exhibitions and other department projects; Provide administrative support for the organization of Board Exhibitions Committee and Collections Committee meetings; Draft loan letters; Respond to collection- and exhibition-related inquiries from the general public; Research and curatorial coordination projects as assigned; Curate installations as assigned; Support exhibition curation/coordination as assigned; Draft acquisition proposals, as requested; Support curatorial staff with proofreading, editing, filing (physical and digital), and the creation of PowerPoint presentations, as needed; Undertake special projects and additional duties as assigned. REQUIREMENTS B.A. in History, Art History, or a related field; Knowledge of American art history, specifically the fine arts; Two years of museum employment or related internship experience; Superior writing and editing skills; Highly organized and detail-oriented, with ability to multi-task and juggle projects in a dynamic and fast-paced environment; Proficiency Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Suite programs; Experience with museum collection databases such as TMS a plus. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee with or without accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This is largely a sedentary role using a computer; however, some filing is required. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets, and bend or stoop as necessary. The employee will walk and stand throughout the day. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS The expected salary for this position is $52,000 per year. The New York Historical provides a generous benefits package for eligible employees to support their health and wellbeing, which includes: Paid time off, including vacation, sick and personal days, and holidays observed by the Museum; Medical, dental, vision and life insurance; Short and long-term disability coverage options; 403(b) retirement plan with eligibility for employer contributions following one year of full-time service; Flexible spending accounts for health-related expenses, dependent care, and parking and transit expenses; Employee Assistance Program for all employees and their families; 20% discount at the NYHistory Store, Cafe Clara and Clara restaurant, located within the Museum; Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions across the city. The New York Historical is an Equal Opportunity Employer.