Position Summary

The Assistant Curator is responsible for supporting the entire Curatorial team, as well as working independently to create exciting, original exhibitions, both loan-heavy and permanent collection-based, as well as working with Registration and Installations teams to realize those exhibitions. They will work with the Senior Curator and Director to recommend artworks to build the collections by selecting diverse work for acquisitions; research the permanent collections; and work with the Museum Education, Studio Programs, Access, and Marketing staff to develop educational programs in relation to exhibitions and permanent collections and promote exhibitions and programming.

Reporting/Contacts

This position reports to the Senior Curator, works closely with the Associate Curator, and has frequent contact with the Director. Also works directly with peers and managers in Registration, Installations, Education and Interpretation, and External Affairs departments, and frequently collaborates with all museum staff, community partners, and the public.

Essential Functions

• Assist other curators with exhibitions and/or independently develop and realize timely and appropriate exhibitions in accordance with the Des Moines Art Center's mission and the museum's curatorial goals. This includes drafting budgets, managing deadlines, milestones, checklists, preparing and managing loan requests, collaborating with graphic designer on exhibition and catalogue design, correspondence, and deliverables.
• Serve as a point person for exhibitions with external collaborators and internal colleagues to streamline communications and manage deliverables.
• Write and edit all content for exhibition descriptions, curatorial texts (wall intros and object labels), catalogues, gallery guides, training documents, communications, and marketing materials, Work closely with the registration and installation teams on all aspects of artwork installation and exhibition design.
• Collaborate with colleagues across departments to execute all aspects of exhibition production and implementation.
• This position requires the use of a personal cell phone for which the Art Center will reimburse an allowance per pay period.
• Acts in ways that reflect favorably on the Art Center and maintains professional standards in the quality of performance and demonstration of concern for the Art Center's collection, programs, and facilities. Adheres to Des Moines Art Center Code of Ethics, Employee Handbook and other organizational policies.

Other Responsibilities

• Research on artists, the permanent collections, and upcoming exhibitions
• Suggest acquisitions for permanent collections and conduct research on these specific objects.
• In collaboration with Museum Education, develop programming related to exhibitions and permanent collections.
• Give lectures, tours, and other public speaking engagements in regard to exhibitions.
• Works with social media staff as needed to create exhibition and collection related content.
• Attend conferences to monitor current trends and to serve as an ambassador for the Des Moines Art Center

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor's degree in art history, and/or curatorial studies. Master's degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Broad knowledge of the history of art, especially modern and contemporary art, with preference for demonstrated specialty in a sub-field.
• Knowledge of museum procedures and exhibition preparation procedures
• Two or more years' experience in curatorial work, organizing exhibitions and/or working with a museum's collection. Projects should reflect a creative, innovative point of view; account for the most recent methodological developments in the field; engage diverse types of art and artists; and demonstrate a willingness to engage with pressing matters in the present.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability and desire to engage diverse audiences as well as different types of stakeholders, from artists to collectors.
• Must be consistently at work and on time; ensuring work responsibilities are covered when absent and arriving at meetings and appointments on time.
• Displays willingness to make decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process and makes timely decisions.
• Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives and supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Decision Making

• Participate in day-to-day operational decision making under the guidance of Senior Curator

Special Considerations (Work Environment, Schedule, Required Travel, etc.)

• Work is performed largely in an office environment during normal business hours, however, evening and weekend hours may be required for lectures or events
• This position requires a percentage of travel (10%) for the purposes of exhibition research or courier work.
• This position offers a hybrid work schedule working both in the office and remotely.

Physical Factors

• Work is mostly sedentary.

About the Des Moines Art Center

The Des Moines Art Center is a vibrant institution located in the capital city of Iowa. Its historic campus consists of three buildings designed by major architects of the twentieth century-Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei, and Richard Meier-that sit inside beautiful Greenwood Park. The Art Center is also comprised of a celebrated education program that prioritizes access and inclusion, an Art School, and the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park. The Art Center is home to one of the strongest collections of twentieth and twenty-first century art in the region, and actively grows these holdings. It also hosts a series of ground-breaking exhibitions every year. The experimental spirit of the art for which it cares is reflected in the Art Center's creative programming. Over two-hundred and seventy thousand people visit the Art Center every year, many of them school groups. The Art Center is committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are implemented in every facet of its activities.

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