Curatorial Assistant, Textile Arts and Fashion

POSITION PURPOSE:

The curatorial assistant assists the curator(s) and fellow in all areas of their duties including, but not limited to, acquisitions, loans, exhibitions (rotations and installations), collections records, research, sponsored programming and public lectures, support group functions, departmental accounting, scheduling, and general inquiries.

The curatorial assistant interfaces and coordinates with all departments across the museum. In effort to manage and organize on-going departmental and curatorial operations, this position serves as the department representative when appropriate and in the absence of the curator.

This position reports to the Director and Curator of Textile Arts and Fashion.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare, process, and maintain all records and paperwork for the permanent collection related to acquisition, deaccession, loans, and research in paper object files, collection database, and online collection.
• Conduct research on potential and new acquisitions, permanent collection works, artists, and other topics as requested.
• Assist with the organization of department exhibition and with coordination of traveling exhibits.
• Create and manage checklist information for exhibitions and gallery rotations.
• Develop and maintain gallery labels; support curator and/or interpretive specialist in development of interpretive texts for exhibition installation and rotations; conduct research when requested.
• Assist with the creation and coordination of departmental publications and presentations, press materials, and written information pertaining to departmental projects; conduct research when requested.
• Manage and coordinate special events and Textile Arts and Fashion programming including lectures, symposia, exhibition events, scholar visits, and departmental fundraisers.
• Route rights and reproductions permissions to responsible parties and follow up on photo requests as well as secure rights and reproduction permissions from artists or institutions for permanent collection and publications purposes.
• Maintain departmental files, including budget and working files.
• Maintain organization of department office.
• Maintain departmental correspondence.
• Order publications, subscriptions and departmental supplies.
• When requested, coordinates interns and support staff.
• Assist with departments support groups (Friends of Textile Arts and Fashion and Collectors' Group), and help to coordinate events.
• Respond to all phone inquiries to the department and direct calls to appropriate people.
• Assist with grant writing and fundraising activities.
• Respond to questions from the public regarding the collection, directly, or on behalf of the curator.
• Consistent usage of the Racial Equity Lens in day-to-day operations.
• Yearly goal setting to support Racial Equity Roadmap initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• MA in costume and textile arts, anthropology, art history, or a closely related field preferred, BA considered.
• Prior curatorial or collections experience in a museum, archive, or library is desirable.
• Strong organizational, writing, editing, research, record-keeping, accounting, and administrative skills; experience with interdepartmental planning and coordination.
• Computer skills including MS Word, Excel, Photoshop, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, and Microsoft Publisher. Knowledge of museum databases and data entry skills required.
• High level of attention to detail, ensuring correct documentation at all levels, with ability to cross-check and verify documentation from sources within and outside the Denver Art Museum.
• Knowledge of museum procedures for receiving shipments, processing acquisitions, cataloguing art objects, deaccessioning, payment of invoices, etc.
• Ability to work without immediate supervision and review of work-product.
• Ability to track status of multiple projects and to see projects to conclusion.
• Ability to efficiently learn museum procedures for receiving shipments, processing acquisitions, deaccessioning, cataloguing art objects, and payment of invoices, etc.
• Familiarity with museum procedures for art handling.
• Computer skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Adobe Acrobat, ARGUS, Microsoft Publisher and other collection databases.
• Knowledge in either textile or costume history.
• Knowledge of a foreign language related to the department's holdings desirable.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

• Sitting, working with hands, working with fingers, talking, hearing, vision.
• Occasional extended periods on feet in storage or gallery.
• Some lifting and moving, climbing ladders.
• Subject to many interruptions, multitasking with personnel, telephone, and email.
• Subject to irregular hours with occasional weekend and evening work.
• Mental demands: written and oral comprehension, critical thinking, spatial orientation, memorization, mathematical reasoning.

Position type: This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME-CWU. All nonsupervisory roles are either represented or non-represented. Represented means the role is unionized and covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with AFSCME-CWU. Non-represented means the role is not unionized.

Pay: The hiring hourly range for the position is $21.40-$27.30 based on experience.

Benefits: A comprehensive medical/dental/vision plan, that can be extended to domestic partner, spouse, and children. DAM 100% paid Life Insurance, and Short/Long Term Disability. Generous sick and vacation paid time off and one personal day. Ten paid holidays. 403(b) Retirement Plan with immediate eligibility to contribute and those who meet the requirements will qualify for the 3% non-elective contribution and 2% match program. A free RTD Eco Pass. Free Telehealth and Employee Assistance Program. Access to Headspace. Two weeks Paid Parental Leave. A free DAM Family Membership. This position is based at the Denver Art Museum, which only has pay to park options, all employees are eligible to receive a free RTD Eco Pass.

NOTE: The DAM prioritizes adaptability and a human-centered work environment. We are happy to consider accommodations to the position. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. We know there is no such thing as a "perfect" candidate - Nor do we look for the right "fit" with us, we look for the add! We believe in cultivating an environment where there is diversity of perspectives, in hopes that we can all thrive in an inclusive environment.

We know that searching for a job can be stressful so we would like to give you an overview of the process to manage expectations. This role may require a phone screen, writing sample, interviews with hiring manager and or panel that will be held in-person at the DAM or video. This position will close June 7, 2024, and we plan to contact qualified applicants shortly thereafter. Our desire is to hire a candidate as soon as possible.

DENVER ART MUSEUM:

As an institution, we believe the Denver Art Museum is both a platform for and an amplifier of the voices of people of all races. We acknowledge that Black lives matter and communities of color - Latinx, Indigenous, Black, and others - have been underrepresented in art museums over decades, both internally and externally. We are committed to elevating all voices, artworks and perspectives and strive to support racial equity inside and out.

We prohibit discrimination against any person or organization based on age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, political service or affiliation, genetic information, or disability, as well as any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

We strive to provide a professional and positive work environment for our employees. The Museum expressly prohibits any form of employee harassment on the basis of age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, political service or affiliation, genetic information, disability or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. Actions based on these or any legally protected characteristic will not be tolerated.

We encourage the freedom of gender expression and/or gender presentation. As an institution, we do not create barriers that may prevent any employee from expressing behaviors, mannerisms, interests, and appearances that represent their authentic personality or culture. Qualified candidates are expected to exemplify the DAM's internal values, which include being dynamic, respectful, inclusive, creative, and curious. The ability to maintain effective and positive working relationships with visitors, employees, volunteers, representatives of public and private entities, policy making bodies, and contractors is critical to the success of this position.