Compiled by Charles M. Rosenberg
E-mail: Rosenberg.1@nd.edu

Computer skills including familiarity with e-mail, Internet discussion groups and the WWW are essential for almost all positions which require writing and research.
 
 

Antiquarian Book Trade	Antiques Dealer	Architectural Conservation	Art Advisor	Art Gallery	Art Investment
Artist Representative	Art Law and Law Enforcement	Art Librarian	Arts Organization Consultant	Corporate Curator	Curatorial Consultant
Estate and Art Appraiser	Freelance Collection Manager	Freelance Writing	Governmental Agencies	Independent Producer: Film & TV	Museum Work
Preservation and Conservation	Publishing	Teaching	Visual Resource Curator	Sample Advertisements	Other Useful Links for Information, Jobs, and Internships

Teaching

 
 
1. PhD in art history
2. German, French, and other appropriate languages
3. Research oriented
4. Maximum involvement with people
5. Good writing and communication skills essential
6. Travel and study abroad may be important depending on field

Museum Work

Curatorial

1. PhD in art history normally expected, depending on the institution
2. German, French or other appropriate languages
3. Research oriented (may start out as research assistant)
4. Some involvement with people, ability to collaborate

Education

1. MA in art history
2. Languages may be necessary, e.g Spanish, in order to be able to work with an ethnically diverse audience
3. Some research depending on level of audience
4. Maximum involvement with people
5. Good communication skills essential

Exhibition installation

1. BA; MA may be helpful
2. No language necessary
3. No research
4. Some involvement with people
5. Some artistic training and mechanical skill

Administration

1. BA; MA in museology and PhD in art history for top positions
2. No languages necessary
3. No research except for fund-raising
4. Some to maximum involvement with people
5. Business skills normally useful, including clerical skills; ability to manipulate databases and spreadsheets

Reproductions and Retailing (courtesy of Doris Birmingham)

1. BA
2. No languages necessary
3. No research except perhaps in legal areas
4. Some to maximum involvement with people
5. Business, clerical, and communication skills, normally necessary
6. This area can include everything from working in a museum store, to overseeing the selection, production and marketing of museum reproductions. If involved with the latter aspect, should have some familiarity with copyright law and artists' rights, though this could be acquired on the job. Also some design skills may be useful.

Conservation (see below)

Publishing*

1. BA; MA or PhD useful but not necessary (depending on the type of publisher, e.g. academic, commercial, independent; and position)
2. Languages often needed
3. Research depends on position; copy editor - none; editor - some; writer - a lot
4. Significant involvement with people
5. Business and/or graphic design skills along with good writing skills are useful or essential depending on position; possibility of free-lancing

Freelance Writing

 
1. BA in art history; advanced degrees may help to open some doors
2. Languages may be necessary
3. Research necessary
4. Some involvement with people; may need to be aggressive in obtaining assignments or marketing work
5. Excellent communication and writing skills
6. High tolerance for economic uncertainty

Antiques Dealer

1. Foreing languages are useful but not necessary
2. Good research skills are essential.  A dealer should be familiar with a wide range of reference materials about maker's marks, imprints, the history of technology and design, as well as prints and drawings.
3. Requires significant interaction with people if one runs a shop.  A dealer can also rent space in an antiques mall or sell exclusively over the internet.
4. Good business and accounting skills are essential.  One also needs some knowledge of tax laws.  Membership in professional organizations such as the National Antique and Art Dealers Association of America (212-826-9707) and Antique Dealers League of America (212-879-7558) are useful.

 

Art Librarian

1. Usually MA in art history and MLS
2. French, German, and other languages often necessary
3. Some research covering a wide gamut of topics
4. Some to maximum involvement with people
5. Good communication and writing skills
6. Excellent administration/management skills
7. Computer and image technology skills
8. Attention to detail

Visual Resources Curator (Education and Industry)

1. BA or MA in art history, MLS becoming more necessary
2. French, German, or other languages may be necessary
3. Some involvement with people; patience
4. Knowledge of computer programs for slide cataloguing and familiarity with the issues concerning image digitization
5. Knowledge of basic photographic techniques for the production of slides
6. Openness to technology and technological change
7. Attention to detail

Art and Estate Appraiser

1. Certifact in appraisal studies.  New York University offers a Certificate in Appraisal Studies in Fine and Decorative Arts.  Edinboro University offers courses for estate appraisers and liquidators at major cities throughout the country.
2. No foreign languages are necessary, but Spanish may be an asset.
3. Research skills are essential.  An appraiser should be familiar with a wide range of reference materials about maker's marks, imprints, the history of technology and design, as well as prints and drawings.  Attention to detail essential.  Good writing skills.  Knowledge of IRS standards for appraisals.
4. Maximum involvement with people.  Requires diplomacy in dealing with trust officers, antique dealers, and family of the deceased.  High ethical standards and integrity are essential.
5. Knowledge of on-line reference tools.  Membership in profession organizations such as Appraisers Association of America (212-889-5404) or American Society of Professional Appraisers (770-729-8400).  Subscription to various trade papers such as The New York-Pennsylvania Collector.  Since appraising can have serious tax repercussions, there are federal and state regulations which effect this profession.  Information regarding federal regulations is available at the ASC (Appraisal Subcommittee) website which has links to individual state regulatory sites.
   

Independent Producer: TV and Film Documentaries

1. BA; MA or beyond useful but not necessary
2. Languages may be necessary
3. Research necessary
4. Maximum involvement with people
5. Background in TV or film production; good business and writing skills; strong organizational skills

Preservation and Conservation

1. BA or beyond in art history with special training in conservation and restoration; many graduate programs are awarding an MA or certificate in art conservation (Programs are available at NYU, SUC at Buffalo, University of Delaware, University of Texas at Austin, and Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario).
2. Languages may be useful
3. Research oriented
4. Some involvement with people
5. Good background in chemistry and physics, as well as studio techniques; manual deterity, attention to detail.

Architectural Conservation

1. BA; MA or beyond useful with a special knowledge of architectural traditions, including interior design; BA or MA in architecture and specialized training in conservation techniques for work at the highest level.
2. Languages only necessary as one is involved with international projects
3. Research often necessary
4. A great deal of involvement with people
5. Depending on whether one is working as a employee of a governmental office, a not-for-profit group, or as a private consultant, knowledge of the law, zoning ordinances, estimating procedures, etc., can be necessary. A certain amount of political savvy also is useful particularly if one is attached to a government agency or not-for-profit group.

Art Galleries and Auction Houses

1. BA; MA or PhD may be necessary depending on position and type of gallery
2. Languages may be useful
3. Depending on position can be research-oriented or not at all
4. Maximum involvement with people
5. Depending on position good business, marketing, communication and writing skills may be necessary; training in connoisseurship.  There is an interesting article about new art dealers in the New York and environs in the January 23, 2004, edition of the New York Times, entitled "How an Art Scene Became a Youthscape."  This article indicates how some of the newer dealers came to the profession.  Most of them worked for established dealers before striking out on their own. 
   

Art Gallery (non-profit)

1. BA; MA or Ph.D. may be helpful, but not necessary
2. No languages necessary
3. Research may be necessary
4. Maximum involvement with people
5. Good business, marketing, communication and writing skills; fundraising skills; flexibility; diplomacy; ability to motivate others; sensitivity to artists' needs; and, depending on the scale of the gallery, experience in exhibition design, curatorial work, sales, and art education can all be useful

Corporate Curator

1. BA; MA or PhD may be helpful (Apple Computer advertised in 1992/93 for a curator for their company museum)
2. Languages may be necessary depending on the nature of the collection
3. Some research
4. Some involvement with people
5. Ability to communicate particularly with people not necessarily knowledgeable about art; may also need installation and interpretive skills; training in connoisseurship; ability to manipulate databases for record maintenance. There are also businesses, such as Nixon Art Associates, Inc., which provide collection management and advising services.

Art Investment

1. BA in art history; BBA and/or MBA (may wish to take an MA in art history, as well)
2. No languages necessary
3. Some research
4. Some involvement with people
5. Good business and investment skills; training in connoisseurship; good communication skills; familiarity with financial software; tolerance for risk.

Art Law

1. BA and/or MA in art history; JD possibly in contract law (Columbia University has a Center for Law and the Arts)
2. No languages necessary
3. Research oriented
4. Some involvement with people
5. Good business and communication skills

Law Enforcement.

1. BA and/or MA in art history; possibly JD, and other skills needed for a career in law enforcement.
2. Depending on level language skills could be very necessary
3. Research oriented
4. Some involvement with people
5. Good communication skills, tenacity, attention to detail

Governmental Agencies

1. BA, MA and/or PhD can all be appropriate depending on duties
2. Languages may be necessary
3. Some to a great deal of research depending on position
4. Some involvement with people
5. Good communication and writing skills; political skills

Artist Representative

1. BA in art history or studio, or equivalent knowledge and experience
2. Languages usually unnecessary, unless working in an international venue
3. Some research of markets may be necessary
4. Some to frequent involvement with people
5. Business experience (marketing and sales), organizational skills, self-motivation, and a sensitivity to working with artists.

Arts Organization Consultant

1. BA; MBA useful but not necessary
2. Languages rarely needed
3. Research depends on the assignment
4. Significant involvement with people
5. Business skills, familiarity with legal and political issues, good writing skills are essential; flexibility in working with a wide variety of clients

Antiquarian Book/Print Trade

1. BA; good knowledge of reference sources in art history, literature, and history
2. All languages are helpful
3. Research often necessary
4. Maximum involvement with people as customers and clients
5. Ability to work under pressure; good business sense

Art Advisor

Curatorial Consultant/Freelance Collection Manager

1. BA; MA or PhD may be helpful
2. Languages may be necessary depending on the nature of the collection
3. Research varies as per contents of the collection and owner/clients aims
4. Substantial involvement with people
5. Ability to interact with a variety of art professionals and to represent a client to them; ability to manage various jobs such as framing, shipping and installation on behalf of a client; ability to represent the best interests of the work of art to non-art professionals, such as a private or corporate collector, his/her family, and/or corporate staff at all levels of heirarchy, including insurers. Superior organizational skills. Attention to details, particularly in respect to record-keeping. Self-motivated and comfortable with the instability and freedom of freelance employment.

Useful Links

1. Adrienne DeAngelis' incredibly useful site aptly named Resources in Art History for Graduate Students includes links to internship programs throughout the U.S.
2. The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) is a wonderful resource for all kinds of arts related jobs particularly in the New York area.
3. Action With Borders maintains a website idealist.org which has searchable databases for jobs and internships where the arts can be added as one of the search criteria.
4. In 2003, the Center for Innovation and Research in Graduate Education at the University of Washington conducted a survey of individuals who had earned a doctorate in Art History between 1985 and 1991. They summarized their findings in a study entitled Ph.Ds in Art History: Over a Decade Later. This study is available on-line.

Another professional track is art conservation...but this is an extraordinarily competitive track with only 3 graduate programs in the US (State University College at Buffalo, IFA, U Del) and one in Canada (Queen's Univ., Ontario). The entrance requirements are considerable and I am told by my conservators that the waiting lists to get into these programs are lengthy. Also, such programs assume considerable expertise in chemistry and a solid knowledge of biology. For more on conservation programs in the US see: http://aic.stanford.edu/become/ For international programs see: http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/bytopic/education/
 

A site with listings of current art related jobs worth visiting is www.artcareer.net.

[1995] Education Assistant. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Cloisters
The Cloisters...seeks an energetic art historian to play a critical role in both initiating and implementing the Museum's educational programming. In tandem with regularly scheduled gallery and garden lectures, the educator holding this position is responsible for all weekend programming, including family workshops, adult courses, and the Saturday lecture series. In addition, the successful candidate will specifically serve as a liaison and resource for teachers and high school students, including coordinating the high school/staff mentoring internship. To this end, the position is responsible for the development of family and teacher gallery guides, as well as other interpretive materials.... Experience: M.A. in art history, preferably with a concentration in medieval art of Western Europe; A.B.D. or Ph.D. preferred. This is a leadership position in the department, requiring...strong interpersonal, teaching, writing, and organizational skills. Competitive salary commensurate with experience and comprehensive company paid benefits....

[1995] Gallery Director. Nexus Contemporary Art Center, Atlanta
Responsible for curating and administrating exhibition program of contemporary art center located in an adapted warehouse district near downtown Atlanta. Demonstrated ability to curate and organize exhibitions of innovative, new work drawn regionally, nationally, and internationally. Practical administrative and supervisory experience required, along with an ability to work with diverse audiences and artists. Willingness to explore new gallery models in changing environment. Salary: $30,000 plus benefits. Send resume, writing samples, list of references.

[1996] Research Associate, Harvard University Art Museums
Seek an art historian to fill a position as research associate in the Straus Center for Conservatio. Responsibilities include conducting research on objects in the Art Museums' collections or in special exhibits displayed at HUAM and publishing results of the research; collaborating with curators and conservators; working with students on issues related to the associate's area of expertise; answering inquiries from students and scholars; contributing to the presentation of objects in galleries and exhibitions.
Requirements: PhD in art history, with knowledge of the technical analysis of objects, 5 years of professional experience, demonstrated research and writing skills, and superior organizational and communication skills. Knowledge of basic museum practices, procedures and standards. This is a 2-year appointment with the possibility for an extension for a third year.

[1997] Research Staff Associate for Cultural Heritage Programs
Department: Media Center for Art History, Dept. of Art History & Archaeology
Reports to: Associate Director
Description: The Research Staff Associate develops, funds, and administers education and research programs on world cultural heritage monuments, sites, and artifacts and implements projects in the association between Columbia University and a major private international preservation organization. The immediate goal is to broaden interest in and deepen the understanding of international cultural heritage sites in a contribution toward their preservation as unique legacies that continue to be vital parts of the everyday lives of all peoples.

Projects include developing, supporting, and managing an ongoing "University Seminar" of international leaders who will meet regularly to consider issues of law, commerce, development, monitoring, management, interpretation, and conservation affecting world cultural heritage monuments. The Research Staff Associate will maintain and expand a World Wide Web site for online education and research about international monuments and their conservation.

Time will be spent developing cultural heritage education and research programs, 30%; authoring foundation and government grant proposals, 30%; editing World Wide Web site, 20%; coordinating internal and external partnerships, 15%; organizing meetings and symposia, 5%.

Supervision: Meets daily with the associate director and weekly with the director; provides monthly written reports; contributes other written and oral reports as required.

Qualifications: Advanced degree (M.S. in historic preservation preferred) and minimum 2-4 years work experience in international historic preservation required. Expertise in the creative application of visual technology to research and education using Macintosh and other hardware and software for digital animation, video, computer imaging, multimedia, and World Wide Web production; excellent written and oral communications skills; demonstrated grant writing and administrative capabilities; ability to work independently and in teams on complex, multiple, concurrent projects; highly self-motivated. Salary: mid 30s.

[1998] Development Director. Center for the Study of Political Graphics.
CSPG is an educational archive that collects, preserves, and exhibits political poster art. Experienced individual needed to manage Board development, individual memberships, grants, corporate solicitations, and special events, working closely with the Center's Executive Director and the Board's Development Committee. Candidate should have experience in the art world, good writing skills, be energetic and committed, with an interest in and knowledge of progressive politics. Send cover letter, resume, and writing sample. Starting dates ASAP.

[1998] MUSEUM SPECIALIST/CURATOR.
U.S. Department of State, Office of Foreign Building Operations, Art in Embassies Program (AIEP) has an opening for a Museum Specialist/Curator. The Art in Embassies Program manages the acquisition and display of loaned art in representational areas of U.S. diplomatic posts overseas. The art work is usually on a three year loan rotational circuit. They are responsible for the selection, placement, documentation, insurance, shipment, disposal, storage, and overall management of the art within the program.
Incumbent is responsible for curatorial duties associated with assigned with assigned posts. Major duties include: researches ambassador's residence and property, determines status of facilities to determine values and type of art to be displayed in the residence, checks status of current art collection, conducts initial meeting with ambassador to discuss their vision for the collection. Researches and contacts galleries and museums to learn what works might be available for the program.
MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen. Failure to state this on the original application will render you ineligible for consideration. Expert knowledge of museum methodologies, of research, collection management, conservation administration, budget and finance supervision, and international communication. Need at least one year of experience equivalent to a GS-9 in the federal government. Position is a one-year renewable personal services contract at the GS - 11 equivalent.

[1999] PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION CURATOR
We are trying to find a junior curator to work with us in the Photographic Collection of the Warburg Institute. We are currently advertising a 9-month temporary job, for which interviews will be held on the 26th of this month; later this year we will be advertising a permanent, full-time post, to begin in October 2000. The holder of the former will not necessarily be awarded the latter, although nine months of work experience may confer a small advantage.

The successful candidate(s) will have to show that they are quick learners, who can grasp the outline of Western iconography in short order. All things being completely equal, we will favour a candidate who is doing research into west European medieval art; but, knowing that things are very rarely equal, we will happily consider anyone working in any field of Eurasian art, so long as they can demonstrate an interest in and a broad knowledge of European post-classical art.

The Photographic Collection of the Institute has a long tradition of distinguished scholar-curators, from Rudolf Wittkower via Enriqueta Harris Frankfort, Leopold Ettlinger and Adelheid Heimann to Jennifer Montagu, and we hope that the new assistant will be able to contribute to this tradition. At the same time, he or she must have a capacity for precise, painstaking work as a photographic librarian.

The details of the job as presented in the press and on the website do not say that it includes a study day, and this study day is not something written into the job contract; but as a matter of unofficial tradition, those working in the collection are normally allowed one day off each week to pursue their own research, and it is anticipated that this will continue in future.

[1999]  FOLGER SHAKESPEAR LIBRARY.  CURATOR OF ART.
M.A. in Art History required; M.L.S. desirable. Working skills in at least one foreign language (French, German, Italian
preferred). Five-to-eight years' professional experience needed within the broad range of 16th-20th century art, in areas
such as engravings, etchings, prints, photographs, objects and methods of reproduction. Reference experience required,
preferably in a research or academic environment. Experience in bibliographic control of artwork, with familiarity with
MARC and VIM formats. Exhibition or museum experience required; theater history background desirable. Proficient
computer skills in word processing, database management and in Internet access. Excellent communication, interpersonal
and organizational skills needed. Must be able to work independently and as a member of a team.

Duties: Curator's primary responsibility is the Folger Shakespeare Library's art collection, including paintings, prints, curios,
porcelains, and costumes. May also be called upon to consult in matters related to tapestries and period furniture. Provides
art reference services in all its forms to staff, readers and the public. Provides necessary reference support and respond to
questions, from within-as well as from outside the Library, about art collection and other illustrative material in the book and
manuscript collections. Develops a functional art database that serves the dual purpose of providing an inventory of
sub-collections and providing access to this resource to staff and public. Consults with cataloging staff to enhance
bibliographic control for art collections; consults with conservation staff on matters related to access, preservation, care,
treatment, moving and storage of art objects. Consults with photography department on matters related to photographic
collection, filming and/or digitizing items from the art collection. Oversees and manages display changes in the Treasure
Room, Founder's Room and Tea Room. Decides on the selection of objects, catalogs description and monitors the type of
exposure to these objects as it relates to lighting, stability and viewing. Collaborates with the Curator of Exhibitions in areas
of picture research, text for exhibitions, proof reading and loan requests. Serves as an occasional courier and oversees safe
transport and arrival for rare or valuable art objects that are transported or delivered to/from the Library or to other
institutions. Salary range $35-43K. To apply send letter of application, resume and names of four references to Folger
Shakespeare Library.

[2000]  TATE GALLERY, LONDON.  IMAGING ASSISTANT.
Salary range: £14,720 - £16,340
18 month fixed-term contract
Assisting with both data capture via digital camera of around 42,000 works on paper and image processing of all 50,000 BAIP pictures from various input sources (maintaining a throughput of between 100 and 150 per working day).

The ideal applicant is likely to have a training background in imaging technology, with direct experience of digital photography together with a range of other image capture methods. Demonstrable experience in using a variety of image related software applications is essential. An interest in art, together with a strong interest in the development of multimedia
information systems would be an advantage.

[2000] TATE AGLLERY, LONDON.  INDEXER.
Salary range: £14,720 - £16,340
18 month fixed-term contract
Key subject and object indexing of digital images for all 50,000 British works, including 25,000 Turner sketches (maintaining a throughput of between 40 and 70 per working day).

The ideal applicant is likely to have a background in art history and enthusiasm for art interpretation (ideally with some experience of classifying visual collections). Knowledge of the range of works held in the Tate's collection would be a bonus. Specific IT skills are not required, although a demonstrable interest in computerised public access systems would
be an advantage.

[2000]CHIEF CURATOR. THE UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF SANTA BARBARA.  seeks an experienced curator to oversee its dynamic exhibition program and to manage its diverse collections of over 7000 works of art. The Museum has just completed a $2.5m renovation project, creating six new state of the art galleries for showing the permanent collections and special exhibitions (with one gallery dedicated to contemporary projects). Working with the Director and the curatorial team, the Chief Curator provides leadership in developing new directions and strategies for
programming and outreach in the new Museum. As part of a university, the Chief Curator plays a major role in fostering innovative, interdisciplinary projects and in making the collections accessible for study. Responsibilities include: initiating, budgeting, planning, and implementing internally generated exhibitions (some to travel) and overseeing traveling exhibitions; undertaking original research and providing scholarly contributions to Museum publications and gallery texts; helping to build and refine the collections by recommending new acquisitions and soliciting donations; and helping to oversee collections care, research, and conservation. Qualifications: Masters Degree in Art History or a related field (Ph.D. preferred); minimum five years curatorial experience with demonstrated excellence in organizing exhibitions and publications; close familiarity with museum practices; a broad knowledge of art history with a specialization in contemporary art preferred. Essential are excellent comunication and organizational skills; success in fundraising, grantwriting, and donor cultivation; ability to work well with and motivate staff, volunteers, students, and faculty. Supervises Curator of Architecture and Design, 1-2 graduate student assistants.  Competitive salary and benefits. Send letter, resume, a sample publication, and names of three references by September 15, 2000

[2001] CATALOGUER.  PRINCTETON INDEX OF CHRISTIAN ART. September 2001 (or before). Scholar-Cataloguer. Phd. in art history preferred. Manuscript or sculpture experience required. Reading knowledge of foreign languages and ability to work with computers. Send CV and names and addresses  of three referees by August 31st 2001 to Colum Hourihane, Director, Index of Christian Art, Department of Art and Archaeology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544-1018.  The jobs are 'cataloguing' in nature-but as you know it is not really cataloguing here-an awful lot of research work- analysis-interpretation goes into each object. One of the scholars here at the moment is working on a Golden Legend manuscript and it has taken the best part of 6 weeks (and still not complete)-so many new subjects and variations on existing ones-a lot of original research. Computer knowledge is essential but so also is the need to keep up a research profile and whereas the work is officially from 9.00 to 5.00-- monday to friday -- a half day per week is also given for private research. This private research can be a publication, lecture etc. and there are funds as well to cover such ventures. Every year, scholars are entitled to apply for a Spears grant (travel and photography) for their own research-this year, scholars are going to France and Italy and their travel will be paid for them. There are perks such as this attached to the job.

[2002]  VISUAL RESOURCES CURATOR -- Position Announcement.    KENYON COLLEGE
Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, invites applications for a Visual Resources Curator in the Department of Art History.  This opening is a professional staff position and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: overseeing the slide and electronic images collection, and the Visual Resources facility; managing the budget; training ansupervising student workers; working with faculty to acquire, produce, deliver and maintain images; maintaining a current collection of 110,000 slides; using the collection to develop additional subject areas; working with the Library and Information Services to develop digital visual resources and programs for access to slides and electronic resources; designing and teaching workshops on visual resources; providing assistance to faculty in developing course web pages; and overseeing on-going cataloging and developmenof visual image data bases. Some reading knowledge of European languages is preferred. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrated leadership ability, and the capacity to set priorities and resolve competing demands.

An MA in Art History with an ALA-accredited MSL degree is preferred, but we encourage applicants with variations such as an MA in Art History with visual resources experience or MLS degree with undergraduate degree in Art History.

Interested applicants should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation.

[2004] MUSEUM DIRECTOR.  Museum of Art and Archaeology, University of Missouri- Columbia

The University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) seeks an experienced, imaginative director for its Museum of Art and Archaeology, the third-largest visual-arts museum in Missouri.  The Museum has extensive collections of objects from a wide range of cultures.  Its collection of Greek, Roman, and Near Eastern artwork and artifacts is one of the most important of its kind in the United States.  The Museum also has important holdings in European and American art from the fifteenth century to the present, including a Samuel H. Kress Study Collection of European paintings.  East Asian, African, and Pre-Columbian cultures are well represented, and there are significant holdings from ancient Egypt and Byzantium. 

We are looking for a director who will build on the museum's traditional strengths while expanding its central role in the teaching, research, and outreach mission of MU, the flagship campus in the University of Missouri system.  The director is responsible for overseeing museum staff (including an assistant director, two curators, a registrar, a preparator, graduate-student interns, and other support staff); guiding the expansion, curatorship, and conservation of the holdings; managing an active exhibition and publication program; and planning and implementing fund raising, grant writing, and community outreach.  Periodic teaching in the director's area of expertise and in the field of museum studies is anticipated.  The director is expected to hold a Ph.D. in an academic discipline and specialty area related to the Museum's holdings.  The director reports to the dean of the College of Arts and Science and is a member of the college's Council of Chairs.  Tenure in an academic department is a possibility, depending on qualifications.

Applications, which should include a letter, a curriculum vita, and the names of and contact information for three references, should be sent to

[2007] INTERACTIVE PRODUCER AND SENIOR CATALOGUER. BRIDGEMAN ART LIBRARY.

Due to success in winning funding for an innovative technology project, we are looking for and Interactive Producer to work within a project team.  This will be a contract post for 30 months.

 There will be a small team within the library and you will also be part of a larger project management team working closely with our other partners and spending time at the offices of one of our technology partners.

The role will involve taking a lead role in developing the Product specification for individual products and specific ownership for content specification in the area of cultural heritage and education. Specifying the production of visual assets and use of taxonomies and various metadata schema.

Experience of the museums sector, art history, history and education and e-learning methodologies is essential.  Proven experience in authoring materials, understanding of publishing with digital interactive and web technologies (HTML, CSS, SML, XSLT) together with a high level of computer literacy is important.

For the same project we also seek someone with experience of cataloguing, sourcing content and researching metadata and taxonomies.  This position would involve working closely with the interactive producer, the project team and the partner companies in the project.

[2008] CURATORIAL ASSISTANT. The Frick Collection. New York.

Background
The Frick Collection is an art museum consisting of over 1,100 works of art from the 13th to the 19th century, displayed in the intimate surroundings of the former home of Henry Clay Frick. The residence, with its furnishings and works of art, has been open to the public since 1935.  It is one of the world’s most perfect museums; its sister research institution the Frick Art Reference Library is of equal distinction

Job Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and organized individual to provide clerical, administrative and research support to the office of the Associate Director and Chief Curator.  Administrative support includes maintaining calendar, correspondence, travel plans and expense reports for the Chief Curator;ielding telephone calls and inquiries from the public, keeping minutes, coordinating between the museum’s departments.  Research, guided by the Chief Curator, is largely conducted at The Frick Art Reference Library and is primarily exhibition related.   Other exhibition related tasks include obtaining images for publication, maintaining checklists, and working with the in-house Editor as catalogues approach publication.  The position provides a superb opportunity for participating in all aspects of curatorial work in a small, dynamic department.    

Requirements
B.A. in Art History; M.A. preferred; proficiency in French is essential; strong writing and research skills; computer literacy in a Windows environment/Microsoft Office Suite.  Knowledge of eighteenth and nineteenth-century art history is required.

Benefits in Employment with The Frick Collection
Full-time employees are eligible to participate in group life, health, and dental insurance plans. Employees contribute to the cost of their health insurance based on income level and the type of coverage they select. Other benefits include Short and Long Term Disability insurance, employee contributed tax deferred annuity, flexible spending plans for health, dependent care and commuting costs, generous pension plan with participation after one year of service/vesting after five years of service, 13 paid holidays, and accrual of 12 vacation days the first year of employment (25 days subsequent years).  All employees of the Frick Collection may access free or discounted admission to most of New York’s finest museums. Additionally, to help ensure the employment experience is enjoyable we provide employees and volunteers with an extremely affordable lunch in our employee dining room and a discount on Museum Shop purchases. The Frick Collection offers a beautiful and pleasant wo
rk setting and an excellent opportunity to appreciate some of the world’s finest works of art.

Application Process: 
Please send resume and cover letter with salary requirement to:  jobs@frick.org
Indicate the title of the position for which you are applying in the subject line of your email.

And then, maybe you could be an emcee...

QVC COMBINES ARTS, SHOPPING IN "TOURS."
By Diane Haithman. Los Angeles Times 7/25/96.

Move over PBS, the newest haven for art on television is...QVC?
That's right--QVC, a self described "virtual shopping mall" for buyers who would rather purchase their cubic zirconia jewelry, kitchen gadgets and health and beauty products via cable TV, has moved into the fine arts arena with a new series of live TV specials titled "QVC Museum Tours."
The specials take the viewer inside prominent art museums nationwide, offering minicourses in art appreciation and at the same time hawking such merchandise as pins, scarves, watches, ties and tote bags related to the featured exhibition. Most recently, QVC visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Paul Cezanne exhibition with the Postimpressionist painter's great-grandson Philippe Paul Cezanne, on hand to co-host the show with QVC and museum personnel.
Among the items offered: a gold plated "jug" pin adapted from a frequent subject in Cezanne paintings ($45); a Swatch-like "apples" watch featuring Cezanne's famous fruit on the band ($36--there is also a fruit bowl necktie); "Bathers" beach towels for $24; and a dessert plate set featuring the artists' sketches. Some items were already available in the museum gift shop, but some new items were created especially for QVC and are now being offered in the gift shop.
The QVC tour series kicked off in March at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, featuring that museum's Homer Winslow (sic) exhibition; popular items were fishing rod and reel basket pins borrowed from Winslow's seafaring imagery.
The museum also did well with a $160 bronze replica of a Degas dancer and a "Miss Helen" doll inspired by a John Singer Sargent painting in the museum's regular collection.

NYTimes, 1/7/02
Excerpt from “Price Cutting and Oversupply Imperil Art Book Houses”
    "In the last year, the industry has severely retrenched. Harry N. Abrams, the largest and most prestigious American publisher of illustrated books and now part of the French Groupe de la Martinière, laid off about 25 of its 150 employees, or nearly 17 percent of its staff, including some top executives.
    "Another major art book publisher, Abbeville, cut back to the point that it stopped acquiring new books. The company's Web site advises that "because of the current conditions in the marketplace, we have streamlined our publishing program, and as a result, our book list is full for the next several seasons." Abbeville's New York office was destroyed in the attack on the World Trade Center, and no one was available to comment last week.   The Italian illustrated book retailer and publisher Rizzoli laid off about 50 people in the United States and closed almost all its American stores as well.
     "The Penguin Putnam division of Pearson of Britain has cut the number of titles from its Viking Studio illustrated books line by half, to about 20 a year because of disappointing sales.

A symposium concerning the destruction of art as a result of the tragedy of 9/11 was published in the IFAR Journal in 2001/2002.   There is an article by an insurance adjuster which suggests that, sadly enough, this might an area also in which the expertise of an art historian might have some relevance.  

(rev. 5/9/08)