Whitney Museum
of American Art

Curatorial Assistant

Full Time Entry Level New York, NY Curatorial
The Whitney Museum is looking for a full-time Curatorial Assistant, reporting jointly to the Steven and Ann Ames Curator of Drawings and Prints and the Sondra Gilman Curator of Photography. The Curatorial Assistant will assist the curators with scholarly projects as well as a variety of administrative tasks. Excellent research and writing skills are essential, as well as a deep knowledge of 20th- and 21st-century art history.

Applications must be received by July 10 2026.

Responsibilities

  • Assistance in planning, research, organization and installation of exhibitions 

  • Assistance with catalogues and other publications, both print and digital 

  • Research on artists for curatorial projects and acquisitions; writing didactic labels, press releases and other copy 

  • Serving as liaison with Curators’ contacts, including artists, donors and gallerists; acquisition of works for the Whitney’s permanent collection, including coordination with Conservation, Registration and Documentation departments 

  • TMS data entry 

  • Other tasks as needed to support the work of the Curatorial Department. 

 
Requirements

  • B.A. required 

  • Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in 20th- and 21st-century art history and contemporary art 

  • 2 years museum, gallery, or other relevant experience 

  • Excellent clerical and organizational skills, including experience with TMS, Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint 

  • Excellent writing, research, and communication skills, with attention to detail and accuracy 

  • Ability to handle several projects simultaneously and meet deadlines. 

  • Knowledge of exhibition preparation procedures is helpful 

Demonstrated ability to take initiative, work thoughtfully, quickly, thoroughly, and collegially, and respect the day-to-day process as much as the end result. 

Compensation & Benefits: 

  • Compensation rate $31-$32 per hour
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(B) elections
  • Generous PTO benefits
  • Commuter benefits - parking and mass transit
  • Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally
  • Pet insurance and discounted membership for Citibike
  • This position will be covered by UAW Local 2110
About the Whitney

The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today. 

EEO Statement

The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, pregnancy, partnership status, caregiver status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, predisposition, or carrier status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, or any other factor prohibited by law.  The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

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