Associate Curator

As a key member of the Curatorial team, the Associate Curator plays a vital role in shaping how the Albany Institute of History & Art’s collections are preserved, interpreted, and experienced. This position offers the opportunity to organize exhibitions of regional and national significance, contribute original research, collaborate with leading scholars and institutions, and help expand public understanding of the depth and breadth of the art and history represented in the Albany Institute’s holdings.

The Associate Curator is responsible for the care, interpretation, and academic study of all objects owned by or on loan to the museum. This role plays a central part in exhibition planning—both developing in-house exhibitions and supporting traveling shows—and collaborates closely with colleagues across marketing, education, development, and the Executive Director. The Associate Curator also makes collections recommendations related to acquisitions, conservation, deaccessioning, attribution, and authentication.

Working in concert with the Curator and the leadership team, the Associate Curator advances the Institute’s goals by supporting collections stewardship, strengthening research, and offering dynamic public engagement.

Exhibition Planning Responsibilities

• Conducts original research, selects objects, and writes exhibition labels and interpretive materials for both exhibitions and marketing/communications.
• Proposes and develops temporary exhibitions that foreground the museum’s mission.
• Serves as in-house curator for traveling exhibitions.
• Oversees installation and deinstallation of exhibitions in collaboration with the Exhibition Preparator/Technician.
• Works collaboratively with Education and Marketing/Communications to develop interpretive strategies and audience engagement opportunities.
• Assists with contracts and coordinates with the Registrar on shipping and insurance requirements.
• Interacts with donors and solicits funding for small projects and curatorial initiatives in concert with Senior Curatorial staff, the Executive Director and/or Development team.

Research & Education Responsibilities

• Assists with rights and reproduction requests as needed.
• Supports scholarly research and collaborates with internal and external researchers.
• Serves as a spokesperson for exhibitions and the museum’s mission in media when appropriate.
• Represents the Institute at professional gatherings such as MANY and Cultural Heritage Tourism group meetings.
• Delivers lectures, tours, and behind-the-scenes programs for public and professional audiences.
• Partners with regional organizations on collaborative programs and exhibitions.
• Contribute written and supporting materials to grants, grant reporting, and executing funded initiatives.
• Writes articles for museum publications.

Collection Management Responsibilities

• Catalogues new acquisitions and contributes to ongoing documentation within the collections database.
• Assists with digitization initiatives, regular collections database updates, and online collections platforms.

Core Competencies

• Strong knowledge of New York State art and history relevant to the museum’s collection.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development in American art, decorative arts, and international art history.
• Familiarity with American Alliance of Museums (AAM) standards and best practices.
• Exceptional writing skills for both scholarly and general audiences.
• Demonstrated project-management experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Education & Experience

• Advanced degree in art history, decorative arts, museum studies, or a related field.
• 5–10 years of museum experience in curatorial work, exhibition development, interpretation, community engagement, or related areas; or equivalent education/experience combination.
• Significant experience public speaking and academic writing.