POSITION DESCRIPTION

Artists-in-Residence Curator

Department: Research & Reference Services
Title: Artists-in-Residence Curator
Status: Part-time (Exempt)

Work Schedule:  30 hours per week (some nights and weekends required)

Travel: 30%

Salary: $37,000 annually

The Amistad Research Center (ARC), in partnership with the Rivers Institute of Contemporary Thought and Art (Rivers), is seeking to hire a part-time Artists-in-Residence Curator (Curator) to support artist archival research residencies at ARC and the development of new work that circulates material history. The salary for this position is $37,000 annually and includes benefits. There is a 90-day probationary period for the first quarter of employment. This is a two-year project position funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

About the collaborating institutions:                     

ARC is committed to collecting, preserving and providing open access to original materials that reference the social and cultural importance of America's ethnic and racial history, the African diaspora, human relations and civil rights. ARC is an independent community-based archive housed on the campus of Tulane University, located at 6823 St. Charles Avenue in the Audubon neighborhood of New Orleans’ Uptown district. Rivers recognizes art as forms of thought shaped by geographic, social, political, environmental and economic histories. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, both institutions are  rooted in the American South and global in scope. Their collaborative goal is to create a model of groundbreaking research and creative production in the Southeast, one of the most historically under-resourced regions in the United States.

Summary

Under the supervision of the Head of Research Services, the Curator will serve as a liaison between ARC and Rivers and serve as the assistant to five artists during the tenure of their residencies. This is a professional position with the following primary responsibilities and qualifications:

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide virtual and in-person reference services to artists-in-residence and project staff
• Assist in the development of digital content, additions and updates on ARC’s and Rivers’ websites
• Assist with social media and newsletter preparation, as well as publicity efforts
• Participate in the planning, development, creation and management of digital initiatives
• Assist the head of reference services and reference archivist in instruction on the use of Amistad Research Center and its collections
• Assist in preparation of grant proposal/reporting and participate in fundraising activities

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in museum studies or a related discipline in the humanities or social sciences, and at least one year of related experience
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong knowledge of American racial and ethnic history and broad knowledge in the humanities, as demonstrated through academic degrees, training or experience
• Familiarity with digital imaging technology
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of customer service
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and to working with multicultural populations

Work Environment and Physical Conditions

• The physical requirements and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job, or may be encountered while performing the essential functions of this job.
• The employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, via the telephone, through email and other electronic means; and handle various types of media and equipment.
• The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 40 pounds (35% or more of the workday is standing).
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions to the extent Amistad may do so without undue hardship. 

EOE: ARC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.  ARC is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at ARC are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race; color; religion or belief; national, social or ethnic origin; sex (including pregnancy); age; physical, mental or sensory disability; sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression; marital, civil union or domestic partnership status; past or present military service; family medical history or genetic information; family or parental status or any other status protected by laws or regulations. ARC does not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Notice: The preceding job description indicates the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees to do this job. 

To apply: Interested candidates should send letter of interest, resume, one writing sample and three professional references to ARC at info@amistadresearchcenter.org by Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Please type in subject line:  Artists-in-Residency Curator. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted; no phone calls please.

 For more information please visit: http://www.amistadresearchcenter.org