Assistant Curator, ICA

Assistant Curator, ICA University Overview

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Assistant Curator, ICA

Coordinator A

The Assistant Curator plays a vital role in supporting the research, planning, and execution of exhibitions, publications, and related public programs at the Institute of Contemporary Art. Working in close collaboration with curators and cross-departmental teams, this position contributes to the development of exhibition checklists, research, and interpretive writing, while managing all phases of exhibition catalogue and book production. Additionally, the Assistant Curator coordinates curatorial project logistics, oversees select performance events, and serves as an administrative and fiscal liaison for the department.

Research:
The Assistant Curator partners with curators to support the research, planning, organization, and realization of current and future exhibitions. Working in close collaboration with the curatorial team, they help create detailed exhibition checklists, prepare bibliographic and biographical material, obtain necessary copyrights, and assist with the research and writing of interpretive text for gallery ambassadors. They also partner on administering the curatorial side of the loan request process, answer general curatorial inquiries, and conduct gallery tours as necessary for visitors.

Additionally, they assist in cultivation activities and keep informed of current activity around departmental interests through gallery and institutional visits, publications, and other professional engagements. Communication:
Assistant Curator is a liaison with other departments within the ICA and with colleagues throughout the university and the field supporting ICA in its commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable institution. Organizes and disseminates exhibition-related material such as checklists, presentations, and exhibition information packets through digital platforms such as SharePoint and in-person. Conducts talks, walkthroughs, and participates in public programs.

Supervision and mentoring of paid interns and work studies. Book Production:
The Assistant Curator manages all aspects of book production working with editors, designers, and production managers to develop workflow, maintain schedules, and ensure accuracy of information from inception through delivery to printer. Key areas include but are not limited to managing the flow of incoming and outgoing texts with internal departments and external freelancers such as editors, proofreaders, indexers, translators, bibliographers, and others, editorial tasks as assigned, onboarding outside partners into the Penn payment system, identifying ISBNs, bar codes, and imprints on jackets, covers, and title pages, working with the Library of Congress to obtain copyright information and Cataloging-in Publication data.

Editorial tasks as assigned, including proofreading front and back matter. Exhibition Text:
The Assistant Curator will research and write interpretive texts, maintaining editing schedules from inception through delivery to final…