Cooper Hewitt’s Drawings, Prints & Graphic Design (DPGD) department, among the world’s foremost repositories of European and American works on paper, holds over 147,000 drawings and prints dating from the Renaissance to the present. Included are designs for architecture, decorative arts, interiors, ornament, jewelry, textiles, graphic and industrial design, and the fine arts. Among highlights are the collection of over 400 albums of European ornament prints; Italian studies for architecture and interior decoration; and extensive holdings of American, European, and Japanese post-war graphic design. A noted strength is over 10,000 American 19th-century drawings and prints, including the largest collections of Frederic Edwin Church and Winslow Homer drawings in the world. The Department annually welcomes over 400 scholars, students, collectors, and the public to the Drue Heinz Study Center for Drawings and Prints and the Henry Luce Study Room for American Art. The Assistant Curator will report to the Associate Curator and Head of Drawings, Prints & Graphic Design.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Collections
Helps develop an acquisitions priority plan for building the Drawings, Prints & Graphic Design collection, with an emphasis on 17th-19th century works, strategically filling in historic gaps. Actively works on acquisitions from the 20th and 21st centuries under guidance of Associate Curator.

Exhibitions
Initiates, plans, and prepares temporary and permanent exhibitions. Participates in a multidisciplinary approach to exhibitions working collaboratively with the various departments to develop content that addresses the museum’s goal of optimizing the visitor’s engagement and experience.

Research and Professional Development
In addition to researching new acquisitions, an important component will be researching, cataloging, interpreting, and writing object significances for works in the collection. This work will be coordinated with the museum’s major digitization initiatives.

Public Outreach
Initiates and proactively explores the museum’s holdings to expand and disseminate knowledge about the collection. Participates in gallery talks, symposia, juries, and panel discussions or other programs related to 17th-19th century architecture, decorative arts, and works on paper.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
*Demonstrated expertise in the history of European art, architecture, design and decorative arts from the 17th-19th centuries, as well as knowledge of 20th and 21st century design history, including its principles, traditions, historical contexts, and research methods.
*Knowledge or experience with a collection devoted to works on paper to perform collections management, scholarly research, exhibition planning/production, publishing, public service, and administration.
*Experience with planning and developing exhibitions.
*Experience in acquisitions and outreach.
*Ability to write scholarly papers and articles for journals, exhibition catalogs, museum publications, labels and web posts.
*Education Requirements: Master’s Degree or higher in the history of art, decorative arts, or design.
*Proficiency in at least one foreign language, preferably Italian or French.
*A minimum of 2-3 years of experience working in a museum preferred.

SALARY: $56,754, exceptional benefits

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume addressing the qualifications of the position via email to: HRcuratorDPGD@si.edu. This position is open until filled.