Curatorial Assistant in Office of Academic Programs, 2025-Oberlin College & Conservatory

Job Description

Job Title: Curatorial Assistant in Office of Academic Programs, 2025

Company: Oberlin College & Conservatory

Location: Oberlin, OH

Pay: $35000 per year

AI Pay Analysis: The annual salary of $35,000 for a Curatorial Assistant position in the Office of Academic Programs at Oberlin, OH, translates to an hourly rate of approximately $16.83 based on a standard full-time schedule (40 hours per week). This compensation appears to be below average for similar positions, as entry-level curatorial roles typically offer between $20 to $30 per hour, depending on the institution and region, with larger cities often providing even higher wages. In Oberlin, Ohio, while the cost of living is lower than in major urban centers, the offered rate may still be considered non-competitive, particularly given the expectation for specialized knowledge and skills in curatorial work. Overall, this salary may not adequately attract qualified candidates within the field.

Job description:
The Office of Academic Programs at the Allen Memorial Art Museum (AMAM) at Oberlin College is seeking a recent graduate of Oberlin College (Class of 2020 to 2025) for the position of Curatorial Assistant. This full-time, non-continuing role is a 10-month Administrative and Professional Staff position commencing on August 1, 2025, and reports to the Interim Curator of Academic Programs, with the possibility of renewal.

The Curatorial Assistant will play an integral role in the daily operations of the Office of Academic Programs, which is dedicated to enhancing the academic experience at Oberlin College and Conservatory by engaging faculty and students with the AMAM and its collections. Responsibilities include:

– Managing the scheduling of class visits and faculty meetings.
– Actively participating in planning meetings for class visits and student programs, such as Shared Art.
– Developing and producing educational materials for class sessions.
– Co-supervising two student assistants.
– Preparing the Print Study Room and gallery spaces for educational use.
– Collecting and analyzing statistics related to the Office’s outreach efforts.
– Conducting research on the AMAM’s collection and relevant topics in higher education, museums, and object-based pedagogies.
– Contributing to discussions aimed at increasing faculty and student engagement with the AMAM and its collections.
– Performing additional duties as assigned.

The Curatorial Assistant will also have opportunities to acquire experience in object-based teaching by planning and leading museum visits.

Required qualifications for this position include:

– A Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College, conferred between 2020 and May 2025, with substantial coursework in object-focused disciplines such as art history, studio art, history, anthropology, or archaeology.
– Proficient communication skills for professional interaction with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students via email, phone, and in-person meetings.
– Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues within the Office of Academic Programs and the AMAM staff, as well as across the campus community.
– Demonstrated capacity to work independently while recognizing when to seek guidance or support.
– Confidence in public speaking and the ability to enforce museum policies.
– A strong commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment for all Oberlin students.
– Initiative in dreaming big, creating achievable plans, and executing tasks punctually.

Desired qualifications include:

– Familiarity with the AMAM collection.
– Knowledge of museum education practices and/or object-based learning approaches.
– Previous experience in art handling.
– Prior experience in museum teaching.
– Experience in administrative assistance, including calendar management and event planning.
– Proficiency in using tools such as Excel for statistical analysis, Google Forms, Google Calendar, TMS (The Museum System), Slack, and Trello.

The position offers a salary of $35,000, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on April 15, 2025. An informational session regarding this position will take place on April 8, 2025, at 12:15 PM on Zoom; attendance is not required to apply.

Candidates should submit the following application materials:

– A one-page cover letter detailing their interest in the position and relevant experience related to the qualifications.
– Responses, each limited to 250 words, for the following prompts:
– What actions can you envision someone in this role taking to improve the AMAM as an environment for college-level learning?
– How does this position align with your long-term academic or career goals?
– A one-page résumé.
– An unofficial undergraduate transcript that includes GPA.
– A list of three references, including contact information, with at least one reference being an Oberlin College faculty member.

Job Posting Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2025 03:07:21 GMT

Apply now!