Current Opportunities

Barnett & Annalee Newman Curator of Contemporary Art

Department:   Curatorial

Reports to:   Susan & Elihu Rose Chief Curator & Deputy Director
FSLA Status:   Exempt
Schedule:  Full-time


The Jewish Museum:
Founded in 1904 and located on New York City’s Museum Mile, the Jewish Museum is a museum at the intersection of art and Jewish culture for people of all backgrounds. The Museum maintains a unique collection of nearly 30,000 works of art, ceremonial objects, and media reflecting the global Jewish experience over more than 4,000 years. The Museum applies a contemporary lens to its exhibitions, which range from ancient to contemporary art.


The Position:
The Jewish Museum seeks a vibrant curator with a strong network of artistic relationships, an inspiring creative vision in the contemporary field, and a collaborative mindset to become its next Barnett and Annalee Newman Curator of Contemporary Art.  A vital part of the curatorial team and reporting to the Chief Curator, the Curator will produce and  steer timely exhibitions that explore the intersection of Jewish identity and contemporary art practice, infuse a deeper commitment to diversity, equity, access and inclusion (DEAI) into the Museum’s programs, and provide a sounding board for colleagues working with artists across the Museum. The active pursuit of contemporary acquisitions, commissions, and special projects are key facets of the job. In addition, this individual will bring energy and insight into the process of connecting today’s pressing issues and themes with the Museum’s commitment to the values, diversity and history of Jewish culture. 

This recently-endowed position offers an opportunity to build upon the Museum’s historic role in producing innovative exhibitions, publications and programs in contemporary art for  New York audiences and beyond. A sound steward and overseer of the Newman Collection (see collection description below), the Curator will be responsible for the ongoing care, display and research of this distinguished aspect of the Museum’s holdings.  The Curator will also serve as an active and visible member of the local, national, and international arts community and an outward-facing presence in the art world. Finally, the Curator will bring a spirit of openness and collaboration to their work at the Museum, and an embrace of the interdisciplinary scope of its exhibitions, which also includes fashion, design and architecture. The Museum welcomes candidates who will embrace the full creative, scholarly, and curatorial potential of this position as integral to its mission and future.


Responsibilities Include:
Exhibitions
• Research, plan and originate exhibitions and publications aligning with interest and expertise in contemporary field
• Help guide the overall direction of the Museum's contemporary efforts, including exhibitions and acquisitions
• Work with peers across departments to enhance the diversity of artists supported, collected, and exhibited at the Museum
• Participate as an active team member in curatorial dialogue and discussion on artists, ideas, issues, and plans shaping the Museum’s contemporary program
• Create a “contemporary think tank” to meet monthly about developing ideas and projects
• Spearhead and oversee “Lobby Projects” for site-specific installations on first floor entryway of the  Museum
• Advance visibility, scholarship and interest in the Newman Collection with a regular rotation of installations highlighting its objects
• Coordinate and install assigned exhibitions traveling to the Museum from other institutions
• Oversee budgets on contemporary exhibitions and Newman Collection, including conservation needs, installations and rotations of relevant objects

Acquisitions and Commissions
• Work to enhance the diversity of artists and cultures represented in the collection, with an increased focus on historically underrepresented artists, including Jewish artists of color
• Oversee a program of artist projects and commissions, including initiatives that engage artists with the collection of the Museum
• Collaborate with the Judaica Curator to identify and shepherd new commissions
• Identify singular spaces within the Museum for experimentation and/or small-scale presentations

Programs and Online Initiatives
• Work with the Deputy Director, Education & Programs to develop, produce, and assess exhibition-related programming, educational materials, and didactics
• Brainstorm and partner on the creation of digital content related to contemporary programming, including gallery walkthroughs, social media posts and artists’ engagements
• Identify possibilities for non-exhibition related programming as a means to create community and ongoing dialogue
• Participate in engagement efforts as speaker, lecturer, presenter and interviewer

Development and Audience Development
• Work closely with the Development team to raise funds for and awareness around contemporary exhibitions and programs
• Actively collaborate on all exhibition-related grants in the contemporary area
• Collaborate with the Audience Development department to prepare exhibition-related materials for public relations and marketing efforts
• Provide information regarding exhibitions and programs for website and social media content
• Contribute to Museum publications and communication efforts as requested

Supervisory & Departmental Duties
• Mentor, coach and supervise two members of the curatorial team
• Serve as a liaison to the Board Exhibition Committee (BEC) and participate as needed in programs for other support groups such as Collectors Circle

Required Qualifications:
Education & Experience
• A rising star of tremendous potential with a minimum of 5 years of curatorial experience
• An advanced degree in art history
• A track record of significant exhibitions and publications, along with a wide knowledge of and enthusiasm for contemporary art

Skills:
• Strong interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work well with colleagues, other employees, donors, and lenders
• Deeply committed to promoting the diversification of artists and to considering  acquisitions and programs through a DEAI lens
• Demonstrated ability to work closely with artists to realize exhibitions and projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly organized working style and ability to juggle a variety of deadlines and commitments

About the Collection:
The Barnett and Annalee Newman Foundation makes awards to practicing, professional artists in recognition of their artistic achievement.

The gift is a collection of art by more than 40 artists who received the Barnett and Annalee Newman Award, given annually since 2004 to artists who exemplified Newman’s values and his spirit of artistic independence and individuality. Artists include Lynda Benglis, Mark Bradford, Tony Cragg, Rebecca Horn, Joan Jonas, Kerry James Marshall, Julie Mehretu, Larry Poons, Nancy Rubins, Richard Serra, Sarah Sze, Philip Taaffe, Terry Winters, and Jack Youngerman, among others.
Send Resume with Cover Letter To:

Associate Director, Human Resources
The Jewish Museum
1109 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10128
Email: jobs@thejm.org


The Jewish Museum encourages individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort.  The Jewish Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristics prohibited by applicable law.

Salary Range: 
80-100K

About This Job

  • The Jewish Museum
  • New York, NY
  • Category: Professional
  • Salary Range: 80-100K
  • Posted: April 27, 2021