Curating.info

The Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, is one of Chicago’s major museum institutions and one of the nation’s largest facilities devoted to the art of our time, offering exhibitions, performances, and programs of the most thought-provoking art created since 1945.

Considered one of the premiere curatorial training opportunities in the nation, the MCA Chicago’s Marjorie Susman Curatorial Fellowship is intended to offer an exceptional graduate-level candidate the opportunity to gain professional curatorial experience in a major museum setting. The Fellow is primarily responsible for exhibition- and/or collection-related research, with additional duties as appropriate to specific projects. As a 12-month, 40-hour per week commitment, the Fellow is exposed to all aspects of curatorial operations and participates in internal and external communications on a daily basis. With a start date of July 1, 2012, the fellowship carries a stipend of $25,000 plus selected benefits.

The MCA considers exceptional candidates in art history, museum studies, and related fields with a strong emphasis on art historical research and methodology. Qualified applicants must possess an M.A. degree or be in their final year of graduate work. The MCA seeks increased diversity in its staff and provides equal opportunity to its applicants.

The application deadline is January 31, 2012.

Application Process

There are no application forms. Please note that application materials, including writing samples and any supplementary materials, will not be returned to candidates. All application materials should be typed and include the following:
1. Cover letter with name, home and school addresses, and telephone numbers of the applicant.
2. A full resume of education and employment history.
3. Two letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional settings.
4. An essay describing the applicant’s interest in the internship program, museum work, and reasons for applying.
5. Two writing samples.
6. Application materials should be sent to:

Internship Coordinator
Museum of Contemporary Art
220 East Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611

Please note: International candidates must secure and be in possession of a valid US work visa for the entire fellowship period.

After reviewing all applications, a group of candidates are selected for either an in-person interview or telephone interview. Final notification to all applicants are mailed by the end of April.

The MCA Chicago Curatorial Department reviews applications. Final selection of the Marjorie Susman Curatorial Fellow is determined in consultation with the Susman family and curatorial staff.

The Marjorie Susman Curatorial Fellowship was established by members of the Susman family in honor of Marjorie Susman.

The Museum of Contemporary Art seeks two Curatorial Assistants to provide research support and assist with all aspects of exhibition programming and collection development. Responsibilities include conducting research on the collection and on forthcoming exhibitions; compiling informational packets for traveling exhibitions; preparing, coordinating and monitoring checklists and loan forms; and providing general assistance with management of artists' files. The Curatorial Assistants will help organize meetings of the Exhibition and/or Collection committees and will take and transcribe meeting minutes. They will also assist with management and occasional curation of smaller MCA exhibitions and will take on other duties in support of the curatorial department, including drafting of wall texts and compiling bibliographic and photographic materials for catalogue preparation.

MA or MFA in Art History, Art, Curatorial Studies or Museum Studies required. Two years museum experience and/or research position at college level required. Excellent research, writing and organizational skills are required. Report to James W. Alsdorf Chief Curator, but will primarily support two curators.

Send a cover letter and resume to Human Resources, Application for Curatorial Assistants position by email to jobs (at) mcachicago.org. Applications are also accepted by fax at 312.397.4095 or by mail at Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. Please use only one format when sending your application. The Museum of Contemporary Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks diversity in its workplace. No calls please.

http://www.mcachicago.org/information/pos_detail.php?id=116&page=ejobs

The Museum of Contemporary Art seeks Manilow Senior Curator to plan, organize and implement special exhibitions with emphasis on major solo or group exhibitions, as well as smaller and more spontaneous projects. Collection-building and donor relations are significant responsibilities. Manilow Senior Curator must maintain the international profile of the museum through projects, travel, partnerships, and initiatives.

Participates in coordinating the program of exhibitions and prepares and maintains budgets for the program in consultation with the Chief Curator. Serves as creative counsel to Chief Curator for acquisition strategies. Works with the education and design departments on production and implementation of all labels and signage for exhibitions. The MCA strives to "converge" its various programming efforts across the departments of curatorial, performance, and education to maximize efficiency and impact. An effort to continue this initiative would be integral to the position.

MA in Art History, Curatorial Studies, or equivalent experience required. A minimum of 8 years experience in a contemporary curatorial position required. Demonstrated writing and verbal communication skills required. International perspective and experience is desirable. Monday through Friday and special events as required. Ability to travel internationally is advantageous.

Send letter and resume to Human Resources, Application for Manilow Senior Curator position, Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. Applications are also accepted by fax at 312.397.4095 and by email at jobs (at) mcachicago.org. The Museum of Contemporary Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks diversity in its workplace. No calls please.

http://www.mcachicago.org/information/pos_detail.php?id=105&page=ejobs

“In theory now you could curate a whole Venice Biennale using only the Internet,” said Francesco Bonami, senior curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.

This quote comes from a larger article that recently appeared in the New York Times. The article takes a solid look at how pressures to find the "next big thing" leads curators to rack up the frequent flier miles scouring the globe for a fresh face to slot into their next show.

Francesco Bonami is also the focus of the latest Bad at Sports podcast. In the podcast, Bonami covers a lot of ground:

Francesco gives his frank and funny perspective on everything from why Australian art is bad, compares Kentuckians to Europeans, and talks about the role of the curator as artist.

I haven't listened to the podcast yet, but already it sounds as though I would like his style. And judging by his own reflections on the Venice Biennale show he curated in 2003 (“I really got slaughtered [...] When you show the real chaos, people cannot take it"), he fits the profile of a risk-taker that holds no regrets - exactly the sort of person that I believe the contemporary art world needs much, much more of.