Research Associate, Creative Design ​/ Digital Art, Digital Media ​/ Production

The Research Associate contributes to the Joan Mitchell Foundation’s mission of cultivating research, scholarship, and exhibitions on the work and life of artist Joan Mitchell. This position plays a key role in the Foundation’s stewardship of her legacy through research, exhibitions, publications, the Foundation’s website, and public programs.

Full-time, Exempt

Senior Director of Curatorial Affairs

$60,000 - 72,000

The Research Associate contributes to the Joan Mitchell Foundation’s mission of cultivating research, scholarship, and exhibitions on the work and life of artist Joan Mitchell. This position plays a key role in the Foundation’s stewardship of her legacy through research, exhibitions, publications, the Foundation’s website, and public programs. This role assists with all aspects of the research and documentation activities of the Joan Mitchell Foundation, with an emphasis on supporting the work of the Senior Director of Curatorial Affairs and the Archives.

The position reports to the Senior Director of Curatorial Affairs (SDCA), and is based in New York City with responsibilities that require working in office three days each week.

• Conduct research, create research files, and communicate findings in support of internal projects.
• Provide support remotely and in person to internal and external researchers, including members of the Joan Mitchell Catalogue Raisonné team
• Supervise researchers in the Archives on-site reading room, provide researchers access to materials, and fulfill reference scan requests
• Conduct in-depth cataloguing of artworks, with a focus on works on paper: object description; provenance, exhibition, and publication histories
• Work closely with the SDCA, Director of Archives and Research, database manager, and other staff members to accurately assist in updating and maintaining the Foundation’s database (File Maker Pro) and internal files, including consistently entering notes and data in accordance with JMF Style Guidelines and the Chicago Manual of Style.
• Support publications and special projects through scanning and photography of Archival materials; format, edit, name and file digital images
• Assist with administrative tasks related to Legacy team projects and programs, including, but not limited to, meeting minutes, correspondence, spreadsheets, and calendars.
• Assist with preparations for loan of archival materials to exhibitions; create facsimiles of materials as appropriate
• Maintain accurate inventory of Archives library; catalogue and shelve new titles; coordinate with Joan Mitchell Catalogue Raisonné on cataloguing as needed
• Actively participate in departmental and Foundation-wide planning and initiatives.
• Develop and maintain reference resources on Foundation website in collaboration with Design & Media Manager and Director of Communications.
• Generate content related to Joan Mitchell and her work for publication on Foundation website and social media platforms
• Collaborate with Legacy colleagues to plan and implement programming for both the general public and academic audiences via open houses, class visits, and other events
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's Degree required, Master’s degree preferred, in Art History or related field with relevant experience.
• Demonstrated two to three years’ practical experience conducting in-depth, object-oriented research in museum or university setting
• Excellent research skills in libraries, archives, and online databases, preferably with a 20th-century modernist focus
• Experience in physical handling of delicate materials and knowledge of best practices
• Outstanding analytical skills, with methodologies to maintain and communicate relevant findings effectively
• Proactive, curious, and driven to answer questions and solve problems
• Detail-oriented and organized, capable of managing multiple long-term projects simultaneously
• A collaborative, flexible mindset with the ability to self-direct and work independently.
• Excellent writing, organizational, and communication skills.
• High level of personal and…