Organizer Information
The Whitney Museum of American Art is a leading modern and contemporary art museum located in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, New York City. Founded in 1930 by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney — a prominent American socialite, sculptor, and art patron — the Whitney focuses on collecting and preserving 20th- and 21st-century American art. It was the first museum in the United States dedicated to the work of living American artists, and the first New York museum to present a major exhibition of a video artist, with a Nam June Paik retrospective in 1982.
The Whitney's current building at 99 Gansevoort Street opened on May 1, 2015. The structure spans 200,000 square feet across eight stories and includes the city's largest column-free art gallery spaces, an education center, theater, a conservation laboratory, and a library and reading rooms. The building was designed by architect Renzo Piano and features sweeping views of the Hudson River and the New York City skyline.
The Whitney's permanent collection includes over 25,000 works created by more than 3,600 artists. Artists represented include Edward Hopper, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alexander Calder, and Faith Ringgold. The Whitney Biennial — launched in 1932 — is the longest-running survey of contemporary American art. The museum's curatorial structure encompasses departments including Curatorial, Conservation, Registration, and Documentation, working in close coordination around acquisitions, exhibitions, and collection care.
Title & Description
Curatorial Assistant — Drawings and Prints & Photography
The Whitney Museum of American Art is seeking a full-time Curatorial Assistant to support two senior curatorial positions: the Steven and Ann Ames Curator of Drawings and Prints and the Sondra Gilman Curator of Photography. This is an entry-level professional role within the museum's Curatorial Department.
The position is designed for a candidate with strong scholarly foundations in 20th- and 21st-century art history and the organizational capacity to manage multiple concurrent curatorial tasks. The role spans both academic and administrative responsibilities: from contributing to exhibition research and publications to coordinating with artists, donors, gallerists, and internal departments such as Conservation, Registration, and Documentation. The Curatorial Assistant will also play a practical role in collection development by assisting with the acquisition of works for the Whitney's permanent collection.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Full-time employment, Entry Level
- Contract Type: Not specified in the source
- Salary: $31–$32 per hour
- Reports To: Steven and Ann Ames Curator of Drawings and Prints and Sondra Gilman Curator of Photography (jointly)
- Department: Curatorial Department
- Working Hours: Not specified in the source
- Union Coverage: Covered by UAW Local 2110
Position & Tasks
- Exhibitions — Assist in planning, research, organization, and installation of exhibitions
- Publications — Assist with catalogues and other publications, both print and digital
- Research & Writing — Research artists for curatorial projects and acquisitions; write didactic labels, press releases, and other copy
- Liaison & Acquisitions — Serve as liaison with Curators' contacts, including artists, donors, and gallerists; support acquisition of works for the Whitney's permanent collection, including coordination with Conservation, Registration, and Documentation departments
- Collection Management — TMS (The Museum System) data entry
- General — Other tasks as needed to support the work of the Curatorial Department
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Art History (20th and 21st Century)
- Photography
- Drawing and Prints
- Museum Studies
- Exhibition Production
- Collection Management
- Arts Administration
- Art Writing and Publications
Eligibility
- B.A. required
- Demonstrated knowledge of and interest in 20th- and 21st-century art history and contemporary art
- Minimum 2 years of museum, gallery, or other relevant experience
- Excellent clerical and organizational skills, including experience with TMS, Microsoft Office, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Excellent writing, research, and communication skills, with attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to handle several projects simultaneously and meet deadlines
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work thoughtfully, quickly, thoroughly, and collegially
- Knowledge of exhibition preparation procedures (preferred but not stated as mandatory)
- Open to all qualified candidates; the Whitney is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, religion, race, color, national origin, disability, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by law
Program Benefits
- Hourly pay: $31–$32 per hour
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 403(B) retirement plan elections
- Generous PTO (specific number of days not specified in the source)
- Commuter benefits — parking and mass transit
- Admission to world-renowned museums across New York City and nationally
- Pet insurance
- Discounted Citi Bike membership
- Union coverage under UAW Local 2110
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Specific required documents (CV, cover letter, portfolio, writing samples) are not specified in the source; candidates should consult the official job posting for submission details
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 10 July 2026
Location
New York, NY, United States
Additional Details
- The position reports jointly to two named curators, reflecting a dual-department scope spanning Drawings and Prints and Photography.
- The role involves direct coordination with Conservation, Registration, and Documentation departments in support of collection acquisitions.
- TMS (The Museum System) proficiency is listed as a required skill, not merely preferred — candidates should be prepared to demonstrate prior experience with the platform.