Job Description

The Visual Arts Curator of the Davis Gallery at Hobart and William Smith Colleges seeks a motivated recent graduate for a nine-month, fixed-term paid-fellowship position. This role is designed for an emerging professional to gain intensive, hands-on experience in the day-to-day care and management of the institution’s Art Collection.

Reporting to the Visual Arts Curator, the Fellow will receive professional training in industry-standard practices and systems (e.g., PastPerfect) while supporting essential Art Collection operations, including cataloging, preventive care, and increasing access through campus initiatives.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Collection Documentation: Perform ongoing cataloging and inventory; reconcile records, update object files, author condition reports, and improve data quality in the collections database.
• Acquisitions & Loans: Process incoming and outgoing loans and acquisitions, including cataloging, condition reporting, packing/unpacking, and overseeing secure transport.
• Storage & Preventive Care: Maintain cleanliness and organization of collection storage areas; monitor and record temperature/RH; uphold Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices; and track rehousing priorities.
• Campus Collaboration: Coordinate the display of artwork across campus and manage internal loans in collaboration with faculty and staff, overseeing selection, transport, and installation. Facilitate professors and staff utilizing the Art Collection in their courses.
• Exhibition Assistance: Work with the Curator, guest curators, and visiting artists on exhibition preparation, including object research, mounting, and installation.
• Mentorship: Supervise and mentor student Art Collection interns, modeling safe and professional art-handling practices.
• Access & Outreach: Facilitate research inquiries, support image requests/permissions, and provide service to collection stakeholders. Author and distribute the monthly Art Collection newsletter and host once a month pop-up exhibition.

Other Information:

This is a full-time, 9-month, benefits eligible, non-exempt position: August 24, 2026- May 21, 2027. This position description is not all-inclusive as other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pay rate is $22/hr.

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.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Recent post-baccalaureate (B.A./B.S.) in Art History or a closely related field at Hobart and William Smith.
• Prior experience handling artworks or working in a gallery/museum setting (via coursework or internships).
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently and exercise high levels of discretion.

Preferred:

• Experience with collections management software (PastPerfect).
• Specific coursework in museum studies, registration, or preventive conservation.
• Strong writing and data-entry skills with a high attention to detail.

Physical & Workplace Requirements:

• Ability to lift/move artworks and packing materials up to ~40 lbs with appropriate equipment.
• Comfort working with ladders, carts, and basic hand tools.
• Ability to work in climate-controlled storage, galleries, and various campus locations.

Application Instructions

• Cover Letter describing your interest in collections management and relevant experience.
• Résumé/CV.
• References: Names and contact information for two professional or academic references.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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.