Job Description
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is seeking applicants to fill a part-time (25 hours per week) wage Curatorial Administrative Assistant position with a focus on the historic arts of Africa. The successful candidate will work as part of a dynamic curatorial and conservation team engaged in a major initiative involving technical analysis, conservation, and cultural study of the VMFA’s extensive African art collection. Supported by a three-year grant from the Andrew Mellon Foundation, the initiative will integrate the expertise of conservators, curators, art historians, and scientists, and will include partnerships and exchange with peers in Africa where possible. The Curatorial Administrative Assistant will provide administrative support to the team dedicated to the Mellon Grant Project for technical analysis and conservation of the VMFA African Art collection. This position works closely with the Curator of African Art, the Curatorial Research Specialist, the Sculpture and Decorative Arts Conservation staff, and the Conservation Photographer.
Specific tasks will include scheduling meetings; developing and maintaining project electronic and print files for the objects studied; processing purchase orders and keeping a grant project expenditure log; communicating with a wide array of consultants regarding travel arrangements, expense reimbursements, and contracts; making complex national and international travel arrangements for staff and consultants; managing the research materials (books and reference requests) from the library; copying, filing, and printing work per project needs; other general support functions as assigned. The Andrew Mellon Foundation grant is committed to encouraging diversity in the museum profession.
Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation from a college or university, with some course work in art and/or art history preferred
- Administrative assistant support experience with strong emphasis on project work and documentation procedures, preferably in an arts/museum, academic, state or non-profit organization
- Skilled in use of personal computers and related software
- Demonstrated accuracy in creating and keeping records
- Strong proofreading skills
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and to establish effective professional working relationships with others inside and outside the museum
- Experience in making national and international travel bookings
- Strong organizational abilities with an emphasis on process oriented, systematic project work
- Ability to prioritize tasks to achieve objectives within tight deadlines
- Ability to collect and compile collections information from various sources
- A security background check will be required
Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply, log onto the Commonwealth of Virginia Online Employment System at https://virginiajobs.peopleadmin.com and submit your application, letter of intent and resume. This position is open until filled. Please contact the HR office at 804.340.1485 if you need assistance.