Curatorial Assistant (Part-time) - Institute for Contemporary Art - VCU ICA

The Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA) at VCU seeks a motivated and detail-oriented Part-Time Curatorial Assistant to provide essential support to its curatorial team. This position offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with the research, planning, and execution of contemporary art exhibitions, as well as a range of curatorial initiatives beyond the gallery space. The role is ideal for individuals with a solid grounding in contemporary art practices, an interest in curatorial work, and practical experience supporting the production and installation of artworks.

The ICA’s exhibition program is one of its most vital public-facing platforms, and the Curatorial Assistant will play an integral role in ensuring the conceptual and logistical success of these projects. Working closely with artists, curators, and internal and external collaborators, the Curatorial Assistant will help develop and realize exhibitions that reflect the ICA’s commitment to innovation.

This position reports directly to the Curator and supports ICA’s Assistant Curator and Head of Exhibitions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide artist, exhibition, and program research support for members of the curatorial team; gather and organize resources and research materials related to the development of artwork and exhibitions. Develop research briefs/summaries and bibliographies for curatorial review.
• Provide material and logistical research assistance to the ICA’s exhibitions team, including support for site specific installations, new commissions, and loans.
• Monitor timelines and due dates in Asana and provide other general administrative assistance to the Curator, Assistant Curator, and guest curators in order to support timely and efficient departmental workflows and processes.
• Organize receipts and other curatorial expense documents to facilitate departmental and programmatic budget management.
• Complete departmental reimbursements and manage travel requests and itineraries for research and other curatorial travel.
• Coordinate internal ICA and external stakeholder communications for the curatorial team: schedule meetings, take notes, and support the timely completion of action items and follow-ups.
• Schedule, participate in, and help document studio visits, artist meetings, and exhibition planning sessions. Organize notes and transfer outcomes and documentation to the appropriate workflow and platforms.
• Organize and maintain curatorial records, including checklists, image databases, research files, correspondence, and contracts.
• Monitor due dates and provide research and administrative assistance to facilitate the preparation of interpretive materials, such as wall texts, gallery guides, and didactic content, in collaboration with curatorial and communications teams.
• Support workflows of incoming and outgoing exhibition proposals
• Assist in managing relationships with artists, curators, and collaborators for traveling exhibitions.
• Assist in managing the relationship between ICA and partnering Institutions related to workplace exchange programs, residence programs, and exhibition programs.
• Understand and navigate university processes related to museum operations, ensuring compliance with VCU and ICA policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Monitor due dates and provide research and administrative assistance to facilitate the submission of grant applications and reports.
  

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Art History, Fine Arts, Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies, Arts Administration or related field or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of one year to three years experience in a gallery, artist studio, museum or exhibition production setting.
• Knowledge of and passion for contemporary art and current artistic practices.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Professionalism and comfort working with artists, curators, and a wide range of collaborators.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in in Art History, Fine Art, Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies, Arts Administration
• Proficiency in Google Workspace; Asana; Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and image database systems a plus.

This position offers a hybrid work structure, with time divided between on-site work at the ICA in Richmond, VA, and remote work from another location.

While being present at the ICA (601 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220) is required during key periods, zoom participation is required for all scheduled meetings or planning sessions when working off-site. The successful candidate must have reliable internet access and be comfortable working collaboratively in a virtual environment.