Exhibition Assistant, Surrealism And Duchamp Exhibitions

We Are Committed to an Inclusive Workplace

At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from marginalized and underrepresented groups in the museum field, who are inspired by our shared purpose and enjoy working collaboratively with others.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

How You Will Contribute

In his 1924 manifesto of the movement, André Breton announced Surrealism as an effort to liberate the human spirit. Through the ensuing four decades, Surrealism expanded outward from Breton’s circle in Paris to become a global cultural phenomenon. In 2025 the Philadelphia Museum of Art will present an exhibition entitled "Surrealism" to mark the centennial. This exhibition will present a broad survey of Surrealism in the visual arts, with a focus on Surrealism in the Americas.

In 2026 the Philadelphia Museum of Art will co-organize a retrospective exhibition of the work of Marcel Duchamp with The Museum of Modern Art in New York. This will be the first comprehensive Duchamp exhibition in the United States since the landmark 1973-74 exhibition organized by the same two institutions. It will provide a fresh appraisal of the nature and meaning of Duchamp’s innovations for a new generation of viewers.

The Exhibition Assistant will help to prepare working checklists of works of art for these two exhibitions; develop and maintain object and exhibition records in paper files and the museum’s collections database, TMS (The Museum System); assist curators with loan correspondence, grant materials, and catalogue writing; conduct exhibition research; assist curators and conservators in coordinating the technical examination and imaging of artwork; and other tasks related to the organization of the exhibition and its accompanying print and digital publications.

Exhibition responsibilities include cross-departmental communication; organizing materials and keeping detailed records; assisting with installation design; drafting exhibition labels with the curators; aiding in the development of public programs; and assistance with the preparation of media materials. Work relating to the publication will include assisting curators, authors, and Publishing Department on all aspects of the book, from helping to arrange for photography of works of art to communicating with authors and pursuing rights and reproductions for comparative illustrations.

Specifically, you will:

• Conduct tours of the exhibition and coordinate educational projects with the Museum’s department of education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Draft tombstone labels for artworks in the exhibition.
• Attend all work meetings and assist curators with inter-departmental coordination.
• Research and develop up-to-date bibliographic references for all works in the exhibition.
• Assist with research and preparation of exhibition materials for the exhibition team (curators, registrars, conservators, exhibition designers, etc.).
• Help coordinate the work of the Conservation departments in preparing works of art for exhibition.
• Communicate object information and installation plans to the exhibition team as needed (registrars, conservators, exhibition designers, etc).
• Develop and maintain TMS exhibition module and “object packages” with up-to-date information, including display requirements and loan conditions.

Your background and experience include:

• Measurable experience with attention to details
• Technical proficiency with personal computers and standard office equipment; fluent with Microsoft Office platform (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access)
• Prior experience working with teams
• Reading knowledge of French
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with a preference for degrees in art history; familiarity with the history of modern art, particularly Cubism, Dada, and Surrealism
• Prior experience conducting research
• Prior experience with collection management software; experience with TMS (The Museum System) preferred
• Strong skills in communication, organization, and time management

Position And Compensation Details

• The hourly rate for this position is $18.54
• Able to access the Department of European Painting & Sculpture
• Able to move items up to 10 pounds
• Able to regularly set up, adjust, and operate a computer/keyboard and other office equipment used to generate work/transmit data
• Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time
• Able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus
• Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
• This position reports to The Muriel and Philip Berman Curator of Modern Art and Marion Boulton “Kippy” Stroud Deputy Director and Chief Curator
• COVID-19 vaccination required.
• Physical requirements:
• This position is part of the AFSCME Local 397 bargaining unit.
• This position is full-time, non-exempt, and 35 hours per week.
• This is a term position beginning in summer 2023 and ending December 31, 2026.

Institutional Requirements

• Upholds the professional standards of the field, always acts in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the museum, and protects and enhances its reputation and standing within the community of museums.
• Shows respect for co-workers and visitors and an understanding of and appreciation for the diversity of the museum’s staff, volunteers, and audiences.
• Adheres to all museum protocols, procedures, rules, and policies.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Adheres to the museum’s code of ethics and Employee Handbook and avoids any real or perceived conflicts of interest.

Application Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage candidates to apply early as the position will close once we have a robust applicant pool or a candidate has been selected.

What We Offer

Our employees are at the center of the museum. As an employee, you will have access to numerous museum perks including, but not limited to:

• Discounts on gift memberships
• Discounts at the museum restaurant, museum cafés, and museum retail and online stores
• Discounted guest tickets for admission
• Special staff tours and presentations from our curatorial and conservation teams
• Free general admission to the museum for you and your immediate family

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees* including:

• Retirement savings program with museum match
• Fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors including the employee’s regular schedule and tenure
• Health savings or flexible spending account program
• Paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays

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