Assistant Curator, Special Projects - Modern and Contemporary Contemporary Art

About The Art Institute Of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

About The Department

The Modern and Contemporary department stewards one of the Art Institute of Chicago's world-renowned collections, encompassing art from the late 19th century to the present. Through collection building, research, exhibitions, publications, and public engagement, the department advances scholarship and broadens understanding of modern and contemporary art in global and interdisciplinary contexts.

Working collaboratively across the museum, the department is responsible for the care, interpretation, and continued growth of the collection while partnering with colleagues to develop innovative exhibitions, research initiatives, and programs that connect artists, artworks, and audiences.

Position Summary

The Assistant Curator, Special Projects supports the Modern and Contemporary Art department to help shape the research, interpretation, and growth of the museum's collection, with a particular focus on contemporary art from Asia. Working closely with the Department Chair and collaborating with colleagues across the museum, this role advances strategic collecting priorities through scholarship, exhibitions, acquisitions, and innovative programming.

The Assistant Curator also builds relationships with artists, galleries, dealers, collectors, scholars, and cultural institutions to strengthen the museum's collection and visibility.

Responsibilities

• Conducts original scholarly research and develops expertise in assigned collection areas, with a focus on contemporary art from Asia and related fields.
• Assists in the development, care, interpretation, and presentation of the museum's permanent collection through research, cataloging, documentation, and collection management.
• Evaluates acquisition opportunities, monitors the art market, and recommends acquisitions and deaccessions in consultation with the Chair and other curators.
• Develops strategic relationships with artists, galleries, dealers, collectors, scholars, and cultural institutions to strengthen the museum's collection and visibility.
• Collaborates with Conservation, Collections and Loans, Imaging, and Collection Management to ensure the proper care, movement, storage, and display of artworks.
• Supports the planning, organization, installation, and implementation of exhibitions, gallery rotations, special projects, and collection reinstallations.
• Collaborates with the Philanthropy and External Affairs teams to cultivate donors, prepare advisory committee materials, and support fundraising initiatives.
• Represents the museum through lectures, conferences, public programs, professional organizations, and scholarly engagement while maintaining strong relationships within the international art community.
• Mentors interns, fellows, and volunteers as assigned and contributes to a collaborative, inclusive, and equitable workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Art History or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two years' professional curatorial experience in a museum, gallery, or comparable institution.
• Demonstrated scholarly expertise in modern and contemporary art, particularly contemporary art from East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and/or Central Asia.
• Extensive knowledge of modern and contemporary art history and current artistic practices.
• Experience conducting research, developing exhibitions, managing collections, and producing scholarly publications or interpretive content.
• Familiarity with acquisitions, exhibitions, loans, provenance research, and collection documentation.
• Knowledge of museum collections management practices and ethical standards.
• Strong research, analytical, writing, editing, and public speaking skills.
• Able to develop and manage multiple complex projects while meeting deadlines.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships internally and externally.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including scholars, artists, donors, museum staff, and the public.
• Experience collaborating across departments and working with artists, collectors, scholars, and donors preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; ability to learn museum collection management systems.
• Knowledge of one or more foreign languages relevant to areas of specialization is preferred.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and creating an inclusive museum environment.
• Able and willing to travel internationally as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Occasional handling of artwork in accordance with museum collections care and safety procedures.
• Frequent movement throughout museum galleries, offices, collection storage, and exhibition spaces.
• Requires prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer.
• May require occasional evening, weekend, and international travel to support exhibitions, acquisitions, research, and professional activities.