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 and 20th-century drawings and prints, including the largest collections of Frederic Edwin Church and Winslow Homer drawings in the world. The Department annually welcomes over 300 scholars, students, collectors, and members of the public to the Drue Heinz Study Center for Drawings and Prints and the Henry Luce Study Room for American Art. The Cataloguer will report to the Head of Drawings, Prints & Graphic Design.

MAJOR DUTIES:
Creates robust catalogue entries for museum object records in The Museum System (TMS), the museum’s collections database. Verifies object information such as material, dimensions, date, designer, and country of origin through research. This often requires reading and translating from French/Italian. This information will also be accessible online through the museum’s website and via in-gallery digital interfaces.

Retrieves objects from storage (onsite and offsite) as needed to verify cataloguing information through direct observation. Handles objects in accordance with proper safety guidelines as directed by Curatorial, Registrar, and Conservation staff.

Reviews records in TMS to make sure all information is accurate, properly fielded, and properly formatted. Makes corrections as needed after consulting with Curatorial staff.

Assists department Curators with object-based research for acquisitions, exhibitions, publications, and loans. Responds to departmental queries from external researchers. Provides object-based research support to Publications, Communications, Digital Media, Development, and Education departments when needed.

Drafts labels and chats about museum objects for exhibitions, in-gallery digital interfaces, and the museum’s collections website. Contributes regularly to the museum blog.

Assists Collections Assistant, as necessary, with the supervision of visitors to the Drue Heinz Study Center and Henry Luce Study Room for American Art.

Supervises department fellows and interns, and collaborates with contractors as needed.

Works as part of the Curatorial department in thinking strategically and proactively about the collection and research that promotes the mission of the museum.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• Bachelor’s Degree in art history, design or decorative arts, Master’s Degree preferred.
• One year of prior museum work preferred.
• Knowledge of basic museum registration methods.
• Experience utilizing The Museum System (TMS) or other museum database systems.
• Ability to enter information into The Museum System (TMS) and verify information entered is correct.
• Ability to perform work accurately and neatly when recording information by hand or electronically. Ability to proofread own work and verify information is correct.
• Ability to handle art objects and follow safety procedures as instructed by curatorial and conservation staff.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to meet deadlines and goals in cataloguing objects is essential.
• Ability to take ownership of projects to ensure deadlines are met or exceeded.
• Proficiency in at least one foreign language, preferably Italian or French.

Competitive Salary: $37,457

Appointment: This position is for one year. It may be extended based on funding.

Please submit cover letter and resume (addressing qualification requirements) to HRresearch@si.edu