Jane P. Watkins Assistant Curator of Photography

(Full-time)
Responsibilities: 

The Morgan Library & Museum invites applications for the position of Jane P. Watkins Assistant Curator in the Department of Photography. The primary responsibility of this position is the care, development, display, interpretation, presentation, and publication of photographs at the Morgan. In consultation with the department head, the Assistant Curator is responsible for organizing in-house and loan exhibitions featuring photographs and/or related material. The Assistant Curator should be able to conduct research on a wide, idiosyncratic, and growing range of photographic materials, contribute to discussions of proposed acquisitions that broaden the collection’s reach, and participate in exhibitions and projects involving other fields and media.

The assistant curator will lecture on the collection as required and will participate in the planning and content of public presentations and symposia, scholars’ days, and other programs organized by the department. Participation in the administrative tasks associated with the functioning and growth of the curatorial department is required; this will include responding to scholarly and public inquiries related to the collection, collaborating with colleagues in other departments and sister institutions to execute projects, and attending meetings or serving on committees as necessary. The position reports to the Richard L. Menschel Curator and Department Head in Photography.

The Morgan strongly encourages applicants with a demonstrated commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and gender equity in programming, outreach, hiring, and collection development.

Qualifications: 
  • Candidates should hold or be in the final stage of work on a PhD degree in the History of Art with a topic focused on photography, or have equivalent training and experience, with a minimum of 2–3 years’ experience in museum work and/or the academic field of history of photography required. Curatorial experience in photography is strongly preferred.
  • Broad knowledge of photography and its history is required; a specialized focus on one or more social, cultural, geographic, or functional facets of the medium is desired, especially historically underemphasized or undefined areas of the field. Essential qualities include broad fluency in and curiosity about cultural history and the liberal arts.
  • Familiarity with loan exhibitions including but not limited to identifying loans, writing catalog entries, design and installation, preparation of didactic materials, and media relations.
  • Proven record of independent scholarly research and publications of a very high standard.
  • Excellent writing skills, with attention to communicating to non-specialized readers. Intellectual rigor and creativity and an interest in making scholarship accessible to a broad audience.
  • Willingness to establish connections with, and expand knowledge of, private collections, and to participate in activities associated with the department’s visiting committee and other supporters.
  • Research-level fluency in at least one foreign language.
  • Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, including demonstrated ability to work successfully in a collegial environment.
  • Computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with museum database systems such as TMS is highly desirable.
  • Ability to work for extended periods standing or at a computer workstation and to safely handle storage boxes of matted photographs.
  • Travel as required for research and when serving as a courier for loans.
Compensation: 

Annual salary $70,000. Excellent benefits.

To apply: 

Interested applicants should e-mail a cover letter, CV, and names of references to: photojob@themorgan.org

Application Deadline: November 1, 2024

The Morgan Library & Museum receives many applications and inquiries for employment. Unfortunately, we are not able to respond to all of them. Due to the high volume of applicants, we can contact only those candidates whose skills and background best fit our needs.

Important to note:

Vaccination Requirement
To ensure the overall health and safety of the Morgan Library & Museum campus, all staff of the Morgan are required to be vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19, absent qualifying exemptions for medical, religious, or other reasons in accordance with applicable laws.

EEO Statement
The Morgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. The Morgan provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, sexual and reproductive health decisions or decision making (of covered persons or their dependents), disability, height, weight, marital status, familial status, domestic partnership status, caregiver status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, pre-employment arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.