Curatorial Assistant

About MoMA PS1

PS1 was born out of New York’s alternative space movement in the 1970s, transforming an abandoned nineteenth Century schoolhouse in Long Island City, Western Queens, into a space for artists and their collaborators to generate ideas and present work.

Located in what was once an industrial enclave, the institution has now become a creative landmark in the fastest growing residential neighborhood in the country. In 1976 PS1 was registered as an independent non-profit in a City-owned building, and in 1982 it became the first Cultural Institutions Group member (CIG) that focused on contemporary art as part of NYC’s Department of Cultural Affairs.

Then, in 2000 PS1 also established an affiliation with the Museum of Modern Art and in 2010 it became known as MoMA PS1.

In 2023-24 we have a budget of approximately $13MM and are a team of around 50, led by an independent Board of Directors. Working with an evolving constellation of practitioners, neighbors, and partners, we are committed to the critical work of diversity, access, and inclusion. It is through these lenses that we examine and build our programs, relationships, and organizational culture.

We champion how artists are at the intersection of the social, cultural, and political issues of their time. We center equity in how we work and what we do.

We recognize that a successful candidate will meet many of the requirements listed on this job description, but may not meet 100% of the qualifications. If much of this job description describes you, we encourage you to apply for this role.

The Curatorial Assistant supports the Chief Curator, senior-level Curators, and guest Curators on a project basis focused on all manner of exhibition development, research, coordination, and execution including a wide scope of curatorial functions such as preparing bibliographic and biographical research, managing exhibition and artwork production, helping track expenses, building exhibition checklists, TMS entry, and catalogue research and coordination. The Curatorial Assistant also works on public programs and conducts other general curatorial work to support the department, collaborating across teams to ensure that needs around exhibitions and other programs are communicated and fulfilled.

The Curatorial Assistant reports to the Chief Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs and works in close collaboration with the rest of the Curatorial and Production teams in the development, coordination, and execution of programs.

• Supports checklist development, as well as exhibition and artwork production, and participates in weekly production meetings.
• Manages with Curatorial, Production, and External Affairs the preparation of exhibition checklists and press releases and schedules work to be done within the Museum and without, in such areas as photography, public information, tours, etc.
• Liaises with artists, galleries, and organizations involved in exhibitions and related programs.
• Assists with the planning and writing of wall labels and text.
• Conducts and prepares bibliographic and biographical research of current and future exhibitions.
• Conducts catalogue research and supports the coordination of publications.
• Books necessary travel arrangements for artists and collaborators.
• Conducts on-going research of artists, specific works, locations of works, photograph sources, and answers related inquiries from the public and scholars with regard to such information.
• Answers general curatorial inquiries and conducts gallery tours as necessary for visitors.

• Minimum two years of experience in curatorial positions or equivalent experience.
• Strong knowledge of contemporary art.
• Proven experience in managing and executing the planning of exhibitions and working with colleagues and artists to realize ambitious programs.
• Exceptional judgment, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive situations and matters.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively prioritize and manage time, juggle multiple duties and tasks, and meet deadlines, as well as…