Curatorial Fellow for Jewish Arts Initiatives

The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) seeks a Curatorial Fellow to support activities related to the museum’s Jewish Arts Initiative. This project seeks to highlight the global diversity of Jewish artistic expression and heritage from antiquity to the present, commensurate with the quality and breadth of the museum’s collection. The scope of the initiative includes research, interpretation, acquisition and loan activity, gallery installations, special exhibitions, publications, scholarly and public programs, conservation, and digital initiatives that reach worldwide audiences.

The part-time, one-year position (with the possibility of renewal for two additional years) is intended for candidates wishing to pursue a museum career; it provides experience in conducting research at a major encyclopedic museum. The successful candidate will provide curatorial and administrative support to curators working on projects relating to Jewish arts and culture, including exhibitions, scholarly and public programs, and prospective acquisitions of Jewish ceremonial art and objects related to the Jewish faith.

The Curatorial Fellow will support and collaborate with the Curator of African Art and other curators in fulfilling the vision for the museum’s Jewish Arts Initiative. Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, support for a current research project related to Jewish artistic expression across the African continent as well as support for other curatorial projects including those relating to synagogues in Eastern Europe and other aspects of Jewish art and culture. The incumbent will have the opportunity to hone skills in research, writing, and public speaking.

As a member of the curatorial staff, the Curatorial Fellow is expected to work closely and collegially with others to fulfill the mission of the museum and to maintain the highest professional standards of scholarship, connoisseurship, and professional practices in the field.

Responsibilities

• Works under the direction of Curatorial and other members of staff to achieve the mission of the institution and to implement its strategic objectives.
• Works under the direction of Curatorial staff and in concert with Conservation, Collections Management, and Design to ensure that works of art are properly conserved, documented, stored, and displayed for the enjoyment and education of the public.
• Conducts research to develop exhibitions and public programs, enrich the collection database, and create didactic materials.
• Assists with the organization and/or coordination of special exhibitions.
• Assists curatorial staff in the art acquisition process; helps to assemble all required supporting documentation, including provenance, historical and aesthetic significance of the object, context within the collection, discussion of price, and state of conservation.
• Assists curatorial staff in the development of gallery didactics, both print and digital, and, with curatorial and Public and Academic Engagement staff, on the development of public programs.
• May participate in events organized for the museum’s members, constituent groups such as the Board of Trustees, Women’s Council, Donors’ Circle, and affinity groups. May attend events with cultural heritage community groups or members.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Curator.

 

Requirements and Key Competencies

M.A. in art history or history or currently be pursuing the same, or another post-graduate degree in a related field such as religion or cultural heritage with a focus on the visual arts.

Possess a broad familiarity with the history of Judaism and Jewish cultures, rituals, and ceremonial arts. Candidate should ideally possess working knowledge of other visual cultures in Africa and/or Eastern Europe.

Excellent research and written and verbal communication skills are essential. Proficiency in at least one foreign language (such as Hebrew, Arabic, French, or Ukrainian) is desired.

Proficiency in commonly used office software applications, including Microsoft Office Suite; familiarity with a collections management system preferred. 

Possess excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail, as well as the ability to prioritize projects and adhere to deadlines.

 

To apply: submit a cover letter; C. V.; and contact information for three references.

Hourly rate: $17.00-20.00

Part-time: 28 hours / week for 45 weeks within 1 year (possibility of a renewal for up to two additional years).

Part-time Benefits include:

• Partner level membership to CMA
• Free, unlimited admission to select Cleveland Museum of Art ticketed exhibitions (two adult member tickets per visit, subject to availability)
• 50% off admission to select ticketed exhibitions for members' guests
• Free admission to select ticketed exhibitions for unlimited children, 17 and younger, when accompanied by a member
• Priority registration and discounts for museum art classes for adults and children
• 20% discount in the museum store
• 10% discount in the museum restaurant and café
• Annual subscription to Cleveland Art members magazine
• Free Garage Parking
• Your employment relationship with the museum qualifies you for free or discounted admissions to other cultural institutions such as the Natural History Museum, Botanical Gardens, The Cleveland Zoo, etc.