MISSION
The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity.
We Offer a Competitive, Comprehensive Benefits Package
- Generous paid time off
- Paid holidays (up to 14 days)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits
- Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)
- Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program
- Great employee discounts
- Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions
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Salary Grade 7
OUR VALUES
All staff members are expected to embrace the museum’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution and to adhere to the museum’s shared values.
- Our museum reflects and deepens our collective humanity; the arts are integral to an inspired and just society.
- We respect and acknowledge each of our colleagues’ contributions and expertise across all roles within our organization.
- We share in the responsibility to create an antiracist culture built on equity, inclusion, and justice for all, acknowledging that these efforts are intersectional and ongoing.
- We encourage and advance a culture of hospitality, empathy, and gratitude for each visitor, supporter, and member of our staff.
- We embrace innovation and foster change with a progressive understanding of—and obligation to reconsider—our past.
- We sustain an open and dynamic civic platform, inviting and advancing the diverse perspectives of our city, staff, visitors, and supporters.
About The Position
Under the direction of the Janet and Craig Duchossois Curator, the research associate assists with research, writing, and content production focused on an upcoming departmental exhibition, with emphasis on the artist Beatriz González; conducts art historical research; investigates ownership, publication, and exhibition histories for objects in Prints and Drawings; maintains and updates object database records; supports the departmental goals in publishing research about the artists online; and responds to research-related inquiries from scholars, peers, and the public.
Research: Provides curatorial research support for the Janet and Craig Duchossois Curator in departmental collection of works by Beatriz González and other contemporary Latin American artists, acquisitions, and gifts; investigates ownership, publication, and exhibition histories for objects; produces acquisition justifications, interpretive content, and exhibition-related materials as needed; conducts art historical and archival research about and related to objects in the permanent collection, loans, and potential acquisitions; produces and ensures accuracy of information presented in the galleries, online, and in the departmental object files and records; and fields requests and inquiries from scholars, peers, and the public.
Curatorial support: Updates museum database with research findings; as needed, assists with metadata tagging in museum database; participates in the departmental efforts to publish all objects online with comprehensive information. Supports the research for and the preparation of materials by Latin American and other contemporary artists (as needed) for advisory committee meetings. Under the direction of the curator, supports various aspects of developing and implementing the planned exhibition, and related projects as assigned. Helps to maintains checklists for upcoming exhibition as well as organizes related works in P&D vaults. Works with the Publishing Department to ensure all necessary material within P&D has been properly photographed and proofed for publication.
Audience outreach: As needed, gives gallery tours and lectures on the departmental collection(s) and exhibitions; and participates in scholarly symposia and conferences related to collection and exhibition research.
Physical Requirements
- Lifts, carries, and moves objects, including art, weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer; must be able to remain in a stationary position 90% of the time.
- Occasionally moves about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and printer.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and the ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.
- Handles art.
Qualifications
- Minimum 1- 2 years of museum experience in exhibition research, collections research, and expository writing required
- Master’s Degree in Art History with a focus in Latin American contemporary art required
- Fluent reading and writing in Spanish required
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google suites required; ability to learn museum-specific collection database systems
- Familiarity with or specialization in departmental field(s) preferred
- The successful candidate should:
- be highly detail-oriented and organized;
- demonstrate initiative;
- embrace the museum’s commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable institution;
- have an open-minded and collaborative approach to working and communicating with all colleagues across the museum;
- and have strong research, writing, communication, multitasking, project management, and organizational skills.
CLOSING STATEMENT
The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status or citizenship. The Institute complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at
[email protected].
UNION INFO
This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31