JOB SUMMARY

The Assistant Curator is responsible for advancing the Walker’s mission by assisting with, conceptualizing, and organizing exhibitions of contemporary art and periodic publications that present the work of both international and national artists. The Assistant Curator also plays an integral role in the acquisitions process, researching, recommending, and coordinating communications related to works for acquisition, and assisting the team in the facilitation and organization of acquisitions meetings and follow-ups. In addition to developing programs for the Visual Arts department, the Assistant Curator periodically works collaboratively with colleagues from the Performing Arts, Moving Image, and Design departments to advance projects that cross programmatic platforms and/or take advantage of the wider campus, including the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The Assistant Curator also participates in cross-departmental initiatives and other working groups. The Assistant Curator presents lectures and tours for donors and the general public, occasionally also participates in public programs, and generates interpretive materials. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide curatorial support and collaboration for large loan- and collection-based exhibitions. 
• Periodically conceive, organize, implement loan- and collection-based exhibitions as lead curator, working with colleagues across departments on preparing checklists, securing loans, generating floorplans and interpretive materials, maintaining budget, and collaborating with colleagues on securing exhibition tours. 
• Periodically serve as coordinating curator for exhibitions borrowed by the Walker from other institutions, collaborating with outside curators and Walker staff to develop additional programming as required.
• Generate exhibition and collections-related interpretive materials, working closely with Design/Editorial department and department of Public Engagement, Learning, and Impact.  
• Support curatorial work on exhibition publications, with periodic responsibility for generating catalogues or catalogue content. 
• Generate content for the Walker’s online publishing platforms.
• Liaise with other programming departments, including Moving Image, Performing Arts, Design, and Public Engagement, Learning, and Impact to develop cross-disciplinary projects and residencies. 
• Research and recommend permanent collection acquisitions, and participate in Visual Arts Acquisitions brainstorm meetings, retreats, and Acquisition Committee meetings of the Board of Trustees; provide support to Curator for the permanent collection acquisitions process, including correspondence with artists, donors, and galleries, accessions/deaccessions research, and installation of art works for committee meetings.
• Lead tours for the general public and donors, and participate in/lead Educator training sessions as required.
• Participate in staff working groups and periodic cross-departmental initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Development staff in writing grants and participating in other fundraising initiatives. 
• Foster and maintain good communications and working relationships with local/national/international artists, donors, and collectors; and local/national/international colleagues, including museums, galleries, academics, dealers, and others.
• Participate in regular engagement with Minnesota arts organizations and community partners.

REQUIREMENTS

• 2+ years of active curatorial experience leading to the development of singular exhibitions and a thorough knowledge of standard curatorial practices, collection management policies and 20th/21st century art history with an emphasis in multidisciplinary contemporary art, the contemporary art market, galleries, and museums. 
• Must have a demonstrated commitment to independent and innovative scholarship through research, exhibitions, and publications. 
• Must possess excellent interpersonal skills to deal effectively with artists, collectors, dealers, students, faculty, volunteers, community members, and colleagues. 
• Ability to organize, conceptualize, and effectively prioritize a variety of projects simultaneously is essential. 
• Excellent oral and written communications skills required, including proficiency writing for both a scholarly and general audience.
• A solid knowledge of international developments in contemporary art with particular emphasis on emerging artists is required, as is a willingness to travel internationally.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of an advanced degree, preferably in art history, curatorial studies, museum studies or other related discipline. 
• Fluency (written and oral) in additional languages/. 
• An international curatorial perspective, along with an enthusiasm for connecting to local artists and arts organizations.

POSITION SPECIFICS

• Full-time (35 hours), Salary Exempt, $50,000-55,000 annually
• Excellent benefits package, Walker membership and museum discount, and the opportunity to work alongside talented individuals and support remarkable artists, events and programming.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to perform computer work for a large portion of the day
• Must be able to physically navigate through international travel
• May be required to occasionally lift 15-20 pounds

The Walker is committed to being an inclusive workplace. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities and audiences we serve. We are dedicated to fair and inclusive employment practices for all individuals.

The Walker Art Center requires all employees to comply with our COVID vaccination policy, which requires staff to be fully vaccinated or test every 6 days. The Walker Art Center is an equal opportunity employer and will consider request for reasonable accommodations based on disability or sincerely-held religious beliefs possible without undue hardship