The Boston Athenaeum seeks to hire an assistant for an upcoming exhibition on artist Allan Rohan Crite (1910-2007), scheduled to open in October 2025. The exhibition will draw on the Athenaeum's extensive holdings of the artist's work, including a wide range of paintings, watercolors, drawings, prints, illustrated books, and archival material. The exhibition assistant position requires work primarily on site at the Athenaeum with some remote work possible. Working an average of 10 hours per week for twelve months, the exhibition assistant will work closely with the curatorial and education teams. The exact schedule will be agreed upon prior to the start date. The successful applicant will be asked to begin their role as soon as possible. This position is funded through a generous grant from the Terra Foundation for American Art.The Athenaeum seeks candidates whose expertise and experience will further its goals around matters of representation and inclusion. Candidates who bring perspectives informed by critical race, diaspora studies, or similar fields of interdisciplinary inquiry to the interpretation of art and visual culture are especially encouraged to apply. The Boston Athenaeum's Allan Rohan Crite exhibition will run simultaneously with a related exhibition at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (ISGM). While the exhibition assistant's main duties will pertain to the Boston Athenaeum's exhibition, there will be some meetings with ISGM colleagues and other local partners.RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist the Director of Education in the creation of resources and interactives related to Crite and his work.
- Assist with curatorial research, which may include archival research, compiling bibliographies, submitting research inquiries, or other related tasks.
- Provide administrative support and assist with scheduling logistics between curatorial team and collaborators, including advisory committee and community partners.
- Assist curatorial team in writing, revising, and proofreading labels and other didactics.
- Attend relevant meetings, take notes, and assist with the organization of project files.
- Assist the Exhibitions Manager as needed regarding installation logistics.
- Work with the curatorial team, Director of Education, and advisory committee to refine interpretive plan.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum requirements: Graduate-level coursework or a Master's degree in Art History, History, African American Studies, American Studies, Museum Studies, Public History, or related field. Current graduate students are encouraged to apply. Undergraduates with relevant experience and with academic standing as a junior or senior in one of these fields will also be considered.
- Commitment to fostering diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in the workplace and in cultural institutions broadly, including but not limited to the presentation and interpretation of art and special collections.
- Familiarity with archival research and library systems.
- Familiarity with art historical research methodologies, relevant databases, and resources.
- Knowledge of best practices for handling artwork and artifacts is a plus.
- Must be able to work independently and collaboratively in a professional environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent time management skills.
Compensation: $19/hourABOUT THE BOSTON ATHENAEUMFounded in 1807, the Boston Athenaeum is a member-supported library, museum, and cultural center that has long played a vital role in the intellectual and social life of Boston. Our mission is to engage all who seek knowledge by making accessible the institution's collections and spaces, thereby inspiring reflection, discourse, and creative expression. Our vision is to spark conversations of critical importance, foster an engaged, diverse membership, and cultivate our dynamic collections for research and enjoyment. We create meaningful experiences through exhibitions, first-hand study, programming, conservation, and digitization; support new scholarship through research fellowships and academic collaborations; and provide opportunities for artists, authors, and scholars to share their work in an interdisciplinary forum.TO APPLY: Must submit a cover letter and resume with the names and contact information for three references to be consideredThe Boston Athenaeum is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome candidates who will increase our diversity; we encourage candidates of color and all diverse candidates to apply and are committed to hiring individuals who value a diverse and inclusive work environment. The Boston Athenaeum is also committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the HR Generalist Nora Conley at ...@bostonathenaeum.org or 617-###-####