Ambassador Nicolas M. Salgo Fund Research Associate

About The Art Institute Of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

The Art Institute’s department of Provenance Research investigates the history of the objects in the museum’s collection. We strive to trace the origins and journeys of objects in order to enrich our understanding of their cultural significance and historical contexts.

The Research Associate will support an initiative to investigate the provenance of objects associated with the Austro-Hungarian Empire and its successor states. Under the guidance of the Executive Director of Provenance Research and Senior Research Associate, the Research Associate will review all collecting areas to identify relevant objects, and will locate any existing provenance documentation in the museum’s database, curatorial files, and archival records.

As part of the cataloguing process, the Research Associate will identify individual objects or groups of objects for further examination and will carry out targeted in-depth provenance research into these objects using relevant archival records in both North America and Europe. The Research Associate will also contribute to the provenance department’s initiatives to share provenance research findings with the museum’s audiences through participation in gallery tours, study days, conferences, and the publication of web articles about their research findings.

• This position is a 1 year full‑time term fixed position.*

• Collection documentation:
  Systematically review all collecting areas to identify objects connected to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and its successor states; evaluate existing provenance documentation in the museum database; locate and review relevant internal curatorial and archival records; update collection database to reflect provenance information; develop and refine provenance statements.
• Provenance research:
  Conduct research into the provenance of select objects associated with the Austro-Hungarian Empire and its successor states; identify and review the relevant scholarly literature on these objects and their previous owners; locate and review relevant archival documentation; produce detailed research reports and update the museum database.
• Public engagement:
  Research and write web articles about the provenance of objects associated with the Austro-Hungarian Empire; contribute the research to the department of Provenance Research’s public gallery tours and study days.

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in art history, history or related subject required.
• Experience conducting provenance research in a museum or cultural institution setting.
• Experience with museum collection database systems.
• Experience with archival research.

• An open‑minded and collaborative approach to working and communicating with all colleagues across the museum.
• The ability to work independently and proactively while maintaining strong collegial relationships.
• A commitment to contributing to their field of study through publications, lectures, and other professional engagements.
• Outstanding writing, research, communication, editorial, organizational, and project management skills that demonstrate both scholarly ability and interest in public engagement.
• Foreign language skills valued.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace required.

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:
Hiring Range. The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job‑related reasons.

• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification:
  Full time exempt
• Employment Category:
  Special Projects
• Grade Level: 6

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