Research Associate, Modern & Contemporary Art

The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking a dedicated and motivated Research Associate to support the Modern and Contemporary Art Department. This role will contribute to curatorial research, writing, and content production related to the museum’s collection, exhibitions, gallery rotations, and reinstallations.

About the Position:

The Research Associate will work closely with the Gary C. and Frances Comer Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art and other museum staff. Responsibilities include conducting art historical and art market research, investigating provenance, producing acquisition justifications, and assisting with the museum’s database updates. The role involves ensuring accuracy in object information, both in gallery presentations and online, and responding to research inquiries from scholars, peers, and the public. The Research Associate will also support curatorial projects, including exhibitions, loans, and acquisitions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research Support: Provide curatorial research for the museum’s collection, exhibitions, and potential acquisitions, focusing on provenance, ownership, and exhibition histories.
• Content Creation: Produce interpretive content, acquisition justifications, and exhibition-related materials, ensuring the accuracy of gallery and online information.
• Database Management: Update museum object records with research findings and assist with metadata tagging.
• Public Engagement: Participate in public outreach through gallery tours, lectures, and scholarly symposia related to modern and contemporary art.
• Exhibition Support: Assist in the development and implementation of exhibitions, gallery rotations, and reinstallations.

Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree in Art History with a focus on early 20th-century modern art.
• Experience: 1-2 years of curatorial research experience in early 20th-century modern art, preferably in a museum setting.
• Languages: Reading proficiency in German or French is required, with additional language skills as appropriate to areas of specialty.
• Skills: Strong organizational, research, writing, and project management skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google suites, and museum collection database systems.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of working at a desk, using office equipment, and occasionally handling art.

For more information and to apply, visit: The Art Institute of Chicago