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The Visual Arts Curator at Hobart and William Smith Colleges seeks a recent graduate for a

nine-month, fixed-term fellowship focused on the day-to-day care and management of the

institution’s Art Collection. Reporting to the Visual Arts Curator, the Fellow supports their work

through cataloging and documentation, preventive care, processing loans, storage, and

facilitation of storage and object access, while receiving hands-on training in professional

collection-management practices and systems (e.g., PastPerfect or similar).

Essential Responsibilities

• Process acquisitions and loans (incoming and outgoing): cataloging, condition

reporting, packing/unpacking, rehousing, couriering/overseeing transport, and basic

rights & reproductions documentation.

• Maintain collection storage: monitor and record RH/temperature; uphold cleanliness

and IPM (pest management) practices; track storage needs and rehousing priorities.

• Perform ongoing cataloging and inventory: reconcile records, update object files, and

improve data quality in the collections database (PastPerfect or equivalent).

• Coordinate campus/display use and internal loans: collaborate with the Visual Arts

Curator, faculty, and staff, on the selection, packing, transport, and installation of

artworks.

• Facilitate access: field research and teaching inquiries; support image requests and

permissions; provide excellent service to stakeholders.

• Mentor student workers/interns: supervise and mentor student Collections interns as

assigned and model safe, professional art-handling practices.

• Exhibition assistance: works collaboratively with theVisual Arts Cutrator, student

interns, guest curators, visiting artists, and facilities staff in exhibit preparation, including

object research, selection, mounting, and installation as needed.

Fellowship Learning Goals

• Learn and follow recognized standards and policies for collection management and

preventive conservation.

• Build practical skills in cataloging, condition reporting, rehousing, loan logistics,

inventory, and IPM.

• Become proficient with PastPerfect (or similar) and related workflows.

Develop problem-solving skills for collection-care scenarios within a museum/gallery context.

Other Information

This is a 9-month (approximately September 15th - June 30th), full-time, benefits eligible, administrative hourly, non-exempt position. Work schedule is primarily weekdays with occasional evenings and weekends for loan moves, installations or collection access. Pay rate is $22/per hour.

Minimum Qualifications

• Recent post-baccalaureate (B.A./B.S. or equivalent) in Art History or closely related field

with commensurate experience; minors/certificates in Art History or Museum/Curatorial

Studies welcome.

• Experience handling artworks and/or working in galleries, collections, or relevant

courses/practica; strong references.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, work independently and collaboratively, and

exercise discretion and responsibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PastPerfect or another collections-management system

• Coursework or experience in preventive conservation, registration, or museum standards

• Strong writing, documentation, and data-quality skills

• Comfortable with mentoring or training student workers/peers

Physical & Workplace Requirements

• Ability to lift/move artworks and packing materials up to ~40 lbs with appropriate

equipment and assistance

• Comfort with ladders, carts, and basic hand tools; adherence to safety protocols

• Work in climate-controlled storage, galleries, and campus locations; some off-site

transport oversight

About HWS

A liberal arts and sciences institution, Hobart and William Smith is known for consistent success in preparing students for meaningful lives and fulfilling careers through an outcomes-based focus on their futures. Our nationally ranked faculty are accessible teachers and scholars known for the impact of their research and distinguished by the depth of their mentorship. World challenges are studied in the classroom where critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills are honed. In the field, knowledge turns into discovery. In office hours, plans are carefully crafted to tie interests and talents to an academic path that motivates beyond graduation.

Our location in the heart of the Finger Lakes allows faculty, staff and students to live and work collaboratively on the banks of a resource-rich lake. Student-athletes play for 30 varsity teams boasting 24 national titles, including the 2023 and 2024 NCAA DIII Men’s Ice Hockey Championships. With three graduate programs, students can build on their undergraduate degree with a Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership, Master of Arts in Teaching, or a Master of Science in Management. Together, the experiences and mentorship at HWS prepare students to lead lives of consequence.

The Colleges are an equal employment opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment in their programs and activities against employees or applicants based on race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, caregiver status, military status, including past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, social class, or any other category or characteristic protected by applicable law.