Provenance Researcher at The University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Department

AI Feitler Center/Academic Initiatives



About the Department

As the fine arts museum of the University of Chicago, the Smart Museum of Art is a site for rigorous inquiry and exchange that encourages the examination of complex issues through the lens of art objects and artistic practice. Through strong scholarly and community collaborations and a welcoming approach to its exhibitions, collections, publications, research and teaching, and public programs, the Smart Museum plays a dynamic role in expanding artistic canons, rethinking received histories, introducing new perspectives, and engaging diverse communities-locally, nationally, and internationally. The Smart Museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.



Job Summary

The Smart Museum of Art, in partnership with the Martin Marty Center for the Public Understanding of Religion in the University of Chicago's Divinity School, is undertaking a new multi-year grant project that centers on provenance research and religious objects. The Provenance Researcher will be a key contributor to the project and its outcomes, which will include expanding research on the Smart's objects of religious origin; building relationships with local communities; organizing an international convening; developing an exhibition with an accompanying publication; and launching an open-source digital platform with pedagogical resources.

The Provenance Researcher is a two-year, full-time staff position that will be responsible primarily for conducting original scholarly research on the Smart's objects of religious origin, and, as needed, training and mentoring interns in the growing field of provenance work, as well as providing evergreen guidance to the museum's due diligence and best practices in provenance research for existing collections and future acquisitions.

The Provenance Researcher will work closely with the Smart's curatorial team as well as with the Director of the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry and Head of Education.

This position is a grant-funded two-year full-time staff position, eligible for benefits.



Responsibilities

• Together with the greater curatorial team, conducts provenance research on the Smart Museum's permanent collection, with particular focus on objects of religious origin.


• Proactively makes connections and builds positive working relationships with community members, religious leaders, archives, auctions, dealers, collectors, scholars and students as it relates to this project and the Smart's permanent collection.


• Writes reports, essays, and other shareable materials about provenance work and the project at the Smart Museum.


• In collaboration with the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry and Head of Education, supports the development and implementation of provenance workshops that involve campus and community participants.


• Supports all work associated with the grant project, including but not limited to an international symposium, a printed and open-source digital publication, an exhibition with the permanent collection, and other project-related programs.


• Develops comprehensive, highly-organized records of research and resources about the permanent collection.


• Working closely with the registration team, follows the style guide established by the Smart and aligned with national guidelines, to create and/or update information related to provenance and greater collections research in the Museum's collections management system, The Museum System (TMS).


• Helps in establishing a data management system for future provenance research at the Museum.


• Participates in regular project, departmental, and institutional meetings.


• Assists in maintaining instruments for feedback, assessments, and reports across all activations of the project.


• Supports the development of evaluative reports and project presentations, memos, and other communication materials.


• Engages with museum staff and other faculty by developing dynamic visiting artist speaker series and other programming.


• Coordinates support for museum programs through fundraising efforts.


• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications




Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.



Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.



Certifications:




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Preferred Qualifications




Education:

• Advanced degree in art history, religious studies, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in provenance research of art historical or related objects in a museum or gallery setting.


• Background in provenance research procedures, guidelines, and resources.


• Familiarity with working with a fine art collection.


• Background using a collections management system to document provenance information.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrable commitment to improving best practices in collecting, narrating, and exhibiting art.


• Reliable, self-directed, attentive to details, and highly organized.


• Excellent writing, research, editing and communication skills.

Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.


• May remain in a stationary position for up to 6-8 hours.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)


• Cover Letter (preferred)


• References Contact Information (3) (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.



Job Family

Museum & Arts



Role Impact

Individual Contributor



Scheduled
Weekly Hours

37.5



Drug Test Required

No



Health Screen Required

No



Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No



Pay Rate Type

Salary



FLSA Status

Exempt



Pay Range

$65,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.



Benefits Eligible

Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.



Posting Statement



The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.


Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.


All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.


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