Position Announcement – Assistant Curator
The M (the Minnesota Museum of American Art) is a St. Paul-based museum with a small, dedicated staff and a big mission: to explore American identities and experiences through art and creativity, inspire understanding and common humanity through the power of art and community, and foster engagement, inclusion, and respect. A primarily visual arts museum, the M’s exhibitions, and programs are co-curated with M staff in collaboration with diverse partners, focusing on lived experiences and creativity of the many artists, cultures, and communities that have been historically, and continue to be, underrepresented by American museums. This model has intentionally developed and has fostered meaningful, sustainable partnerships that benefit both the museum and its partners, as well as the people they serve.
Goals that have united civic, philanthropic, and artistic leaders and the community in support of the M include:
1. Preserving and engaging the public with the M’s unique collection, which includes more than 5,000 artworks showcasing the diverse voices of American artists past and present with a focus on Minnesota artists;
2. Creating a new collaborative programming model suited to our times; and
3. Revitalizing downtown St. Paul by connecting the Rice Park/RiverCentre area to the Lowertown/Mears Park area
For more background on the organization, please see our website.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Assistant Curator
Department: Exhibitions & Collections
Reports To: Director of Exhibitions & Collections
Location: Hybrid
Employment Status: Full-Time Exempt
Position Overview
The Curatorial Assistant is responsible for a variety of curatorial and administrative tasks including managing contacts and correspondence; assisting with the coordination of didactic materials and exhibition documentation; writing and editing curatorial-related copy; and collection research. The Assistant Curator is a key member of the Exhibitions & Collections team and advises on permanent collection exhibitions and rotations of artworks in the galleries.
Work Environment and Schedule: Must be able to successfully work both independently and collaboratively in an office setting. Work schedule is 9-hour days Tuesday through Friday; requires occasional work on evenings and weekends based on department needs and event schedules. The M staff works in a hybrid office environment; in-office needs will require on-site attendance throughout the week. Travel to local offsite art storage is required regularly.
Specific Responsibilities
• Provide support to the Exhibitions & Collections team, from the research and development stages of exhibitions and programming through to their realization.
• Respectful responses to all inquiries (mail, telephone or e-mail) regarding collections, exhibitions, appraisals, conservation services, selling or donating works of art to the museum.
• Support collection acquisitions through communications with donors, artists and/or their representatives; carrying out administrative tasks for quarterly Collection Committee meetings and tracking each object in close collaboration with Registrar and Assistant Registrar.
• Assist in the development, copyediting, design, and production of accessible interpretative didactic materials for diverse audiences including wall text, artwork labels, gallery guides, exhibition catalogs and other exhibition-related materials.
• Obtain copyright permissions for collection and exhibition images to maintain accurate credit lines and accuracy of information on publications, in print and online, as needed.
• Conduct permanent collection and curatorial research as requested and in line with experience and training.
• Assist with public programs, development-related events, and exhibition openings.
• Works across the museum’s various teams.
• Attend public events, meetings and networking on behalf of the organization.
• Engages with artists, lenders, donors, scholars, and the public as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and reports in accordance with museum best practices.
• Assist with grant-funded activities and reporting requirements, when applicable.
• Ensure compliance with museum policies, ethical guidelines, and nonprofit regulations.
• Support educational programs, tours, lectures, and community outreach.
• Work with educators and community partners to expand public access.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, Art History, Museum Studies or related discipline.
• Two years of professional experience researching, communicating, and working collaboratively to support exhibitions in a cultural organization and/or a visual arts institution.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated research, editing and proofreading skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented and collaboratively-minded, with the ability to be self-directed and anticipate actions as needed. Ability to juggle multiple tasks and meet demanding deadlines
• Cultural competency and demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
• Curiosity for, and interest in, American Art and the M’s permanent collection.
Desired Qualifications
• Master’s Degree in Art History or related discipline.
• Curatorial experience that includes working with diverse partners in a museum setting.
• Experience with nonprofit fundraising, grants management, and/or donor relations.
• Familiarity with collection management systems or digital asset tools.
• Demonstrated experience with American Art, and historic and contemporary art of the Midwest.
We know there are great candidates who may not fit into the criteria we have outlined above, or who have important skills we have not thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.
How to Apply: Submit cover letter and resume via email to Bethany Whitehead, Director of Operations & Organizational Culture, at
[email protected].
Salary: $50,000 to $60,000 based on experience. This is a full-time position with comprehensive benefits, including health, vision, dental, retirement match, and PTO.
Application deadline: Monday, April 13, 2026 with anticipated start date in June 2026.
No relocation funding available for this role.
The M is committed to building a culture focused on inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility and strives to exemplify the richness of difference, and the equitable inclusion of it, throughout the organizational culture and within its practices. Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.
For more information on the M: mmaa.org