Curatorial Assistant

The Delaware Art Museum is seeking a Curatorial Assistant for a 3-year assignment to assist in the mounting of the first US exhibition on the British artist and Pre-Raphaelite associate Simeon Solomon (1840-1905). This exhibition will be a major loan show with a fully illustrated publication opening in 2027.

Reporting to the Annette Woolard-Provine Curator of the Bancroft Collection of Pre-Raphaelite Art (hereafter the “Bancroft Curator”), the Curatorial Assistant will provide research, administrative and curatorial support to the Bancroft Curator.

The Curatorial Assistant’s responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:

  • Maintaining the exhibition checklist.
  • Liaising with institutional and private lenders.
  • Undertaking research to support the exhibition’s co-curators.
  • Managing the publication, including obtaining image permissions and communicating with editors, designers, and authors.
  • Writing exhibition wall text.
  • Providing tours of the exhibition.

In addition to the Solomon exhibition, the Curatorial Assistant will also assist the Bancroft Curator with the day-to-day responsibilities of caring for the Bancroft Collection of Pre-Raphaelite art. In this capacity, the Curatorial Assistant’s responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:

  • Curating collection rotations and contributing to in-house exhibition interpretation, including didactics, written materials, and technology.
  • Assisting with the accessioning process, including researching artworks for possible acquisition.
  • Providing tours of the permanent Pre-Raphaelite collection.
  • Maintaining curatorial files for the Bancroft collection.
  • Writing blog posts on the Bancroft collection for the DelArt website.

We are seeking enthusiastic candidates with knowledge and/or experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in art history (MA preferred), with previous coursework in Pre-Raphaelite art.
  • Previous experience working in cultural organizations.
  • Interest in curatorial practice.
  • Superior written, public speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Ability to use academic library databases for research.
  • Excellent research abilities.
  • Ability to write for academic audiences.
  • Self-motivated with a willingness to innovate and initiate.
  • Computer skills, including familiarity with Excel and databases.
  • Strong organizational skills, including effective time management, ability to set and fulfill priorities, and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Highly motivated and able to work both independently and collaboratively with staff, community partners, volunteers, and members of the public.

Anticipated start date: June 2025

Compensation: The Museum will consider applicants with a BA or MA in art history, with compensation commensurate with experience (range: $20/hour to $24/hour). This is a full-time, in-person, benefits-eligible position. The Curatorial Assistant is expected to be available on select evenings and weekends to give gallery talks and tours and participate in public programming.

Requirements: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Deadline: This position will remain open until filled and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials by April 14.

How to apply:

Please send the following materials as PDF documents to hr@delart.org.

  • Cover letter addressing the applicant’s interest in the position, including a narrative demonstrating their strengths relevant to the position’s responsibilities and duties. Cover letter should detail the applicant’s previous experience related to Pre-Raphaelite art.
  • Professional and academic curriculum vitae.
  • An art historical writing sample not to exceed 10 pages that demonstrates original research. 10-page excerpts from longer essays are acceptable.
  • College and university transcripts (unofficial documents released to students are acceptable).
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors, scholars, or other professionals familiar with the applicant and their work. Letters should speak to the applicant’s research and writing abilities, organizational skills, written and spoken communication, and public speaking abilities. These letters should be sent directly via email to: hr@delart.org.

To learn more about the Delaware Art Museum, please visit https://delart.org/

The Delaware Art Museum is committed to inclusivity and encourages qualified candidates from all cultures and communities to apply. Delaware Art Museum is an equal opportunity employer.