Museum Instructor/Curatorial Assistant

Museum overview

The Brooklyn Museum is a major cultural institution known for presenting and preserving art, history, and heritage. Its purpose is to connect people through artistic experiences that encourage celebration, compassion, bravery, and action. The Museum aims to be a place where art drives both individual growth and broader social change, while also deepening understanding of diverse communities through its collections, exhibitions, and public programming.

The Museum is focused on building a skilled and enthusiastic team that helps make it a vital community space and a significant international destination. Employees are offered opportunities to develop professionally and work with respected colleagues.

About the role

The Brooklyn Museum is hiring a temporary Museum Instructor/Curatorial Assistant to help plan, implement, and support programming for the 2027 Brooklyn Now exhibition.

Reporting to the John and Barbara Vogelstein Senior Curator of Contemporary Art, this person will work closely with the main exhibition teams and coordinate with departments across the Museum. The role covers a broad range of exhibition support, including checklists, interpretation materials, and the installation and deinstallation of works, along with associated programming. The position is focused on keeping projects on schedule and ensuring smooth communication, logistics, and follow-through.

This temporary assignment is limited to no more than 11 months.

Responsibilities

• Participate in all team meetings unless excused, and help prepare agendas and meeting notes.
• Provide day-to-day administrative assistance.
• Help maintain and revise exhibition checklists.
• Track communications with artists.
• Support the creation and coordination of exhibition materials such as wall text, image sets and captions, and artwork fact sheets, working with internal teams as needed.
• Assist the Registrars team with incoming works and with artist communication related to loan paperwork and shipping or delivery arrangements.
• Attend registrar training to support incoming works.
• Support the Registrar and Project Manager during artwork installation and deinstallation.

Qualifications

Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in art history, fine arts, museum studies, visual culture, or a related humanities field, or 2 to 3 years of experience in a museum or similar cultural organization.

The role calls for strong organization, close attention to detail, and the ability to manage several complex tasks at once. Good verbal and written communication skills are important, as is experience working collaboratively. Applicants should also be comfortable using Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and basic office tasks such as scanning and filing. Familiarity with collection databases, especially The Museum System (TMS), is also expected.

Additional details

Department: Exhibitions

Reports to: John and Barbara Vogelstein Senior Curator of Contemporary Art

Employment type: Full-time, temporary position not to exceed 11 months, with the exact duration still to be determined.

Schedule: 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Union status: Union - DC37 Local 1502.

FLSA status: Non-Exempt.

Location: Brooklyn, New York. Some eligible roles may follow a hybrid schedule of three days on site and two days remote.

Salary: Annualized compensation of $51,034, equal to $28.04 per hour.

Benefits and perks

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• 401(k) savings and pension plans.
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts for qualified health care, dependent care, and commuter expenses.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Complimentary admission to many NYC museums and cultural institutions.
• Early entry to Museum exhibitions.
• Invitations to staff-only programs, tours, and on-site engagement events.
• Opportunities to join community initiatives and Museum programs.
• 40% staff discount in Museum shops.
• 20% discount at the Museum café.

Application note

Applicants are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every preferred qualification. The Museum welcomes people with a broad range of experiences and perspectives, especially those who connect with its mission of bringing people together through art and experiences that inspire celebration, compassion, courage, and action.

For questions about the online application system, contact [email protected].