CACP: Curatorial Assistant of Photography with the Museum of African American History - MassArt in Boston, Massachusetts at MassArt

Position Title: CACP: Curatorial Assistant of Photography with the Museum of African American History - MassArt

Location: Boston, MA Category: Student / Workstudy Job Type: Contract Posted On: Mon Aug 17 2026 Job Description:

Curatorial Assistant of Photography with the Museum of African American History

About the Organization:
The Museum of African American History connects colonial and early African American history & culture in Boston and the larger New England area with the abolition of slavery and current explorations of race and the struggle for human rights.
For more information, please visit maah.org.

Organization Address:
Museum of African American History
46 Joy St Boston, MA 02114
The Fortress Storage - 99 Boston St, Boston, MA 02125

About the Program: The Museum of African American History seeks a MassArt student to support a focused curatorial and collections project centered on the Museum's historic photography collection, including photographs, albums, and glass plate negatives. The student will contribute to ongoing research, preservation, documentation, and catalog enhancement efforts to improve intellectual and physical access to this important but under-documented collection.

This position offers hands-on experience in curatorial research, collections stewardship, provenance investigation, and photographic preservation within a museum setting. Depending on project needs and student interests, there may be opportunities to contribute to exhibition research, interpretation, and digitization initiatives.

Position Description:
The MassArt student will work closely with curatorial and collections staff to support research and stewardship of the Museum's photography holdings. Responsibilities may include:

• Research & Documentation
• Conduct research on photographers, studios, sitters, locations, and historical context represented in the collection
• Assist with provenance and identification research for under-documented photographic materials
• Conduct comparative visual and archival research to support object identification and contextualization
• Support cataloging and metadata enhancement in collections records
• Collections Care & Preservation
• Assist with condition documentation and preservation assessment of photographic materials, including fragile glass plate negatives
• Help identify rehousing and storage priorities for vulnerable photographic formats
• Assist with organizing, inventorying, and documenting photographic materials to improve access and stewardship
• Curatorial & Public Engagement Support
• Contribute to exhibition, interpretive, or public history research related to the photography collection
• Assist with digitization preparation and image organization where appropriate
• This position may be tailored to the student's interests, experience, and career goals. Students interested in photography, museum studies, archives, conservation, curatorial practice, Black history, public history, or visual culture are encouraged to apply.

Job Requirements:

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess curiosity, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for working with historical photographic materials and museum collections. Preferred qualifications include:
Artistic / Creative Qualities

• Strong visual observation skills and attention to detail
• Interest in photography, visual culture, storytelling, or material history
• Curiosity about how images communicate history, identity, memory, and community
• Professional Skills
• Interest in museum studies, archives, photography, art history, history, conservation, curatorial practice, or related fields
• Strong research, organizational, and observational skills
• Ability to work carefully and responsibly with fragile historical materials
• Strong written communication and documentation skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Curiosity, professionalism, and willingness to learn in a museum environment
• Interest in African American history, public history, or cultural heritage preferred, but not required
• Previous museum experience is welcome but not required.
  

Support / Supervision:
The Museum is committed to providing a meaningful, hands-on learning experience and supporting the student's professional development and career interests.

Expected Work Hours per Week:
6-10 hours per week

Work Schedule:
The Museum's administrative hours are Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Collections work can take place during these hours, contingent upon staff and student schedules.

Wage:
$15 / hour

PLEASE NOTE:
This position is part of the PartnershipWORKS program offered through MassArt's Center for Art and Community Partnerships (CACP). If you are hired for this position, you will become a member of the team at your community site AND a member of the CACP student cohort. You will have two supervisors, one through your host site and a second through CACP..

The requirements for holding a PartnershipWORKS position through CACP are:

• Commit to your position for the entire academic year (fall + spring semesters)
• Participate in monthly PartnershipWORKS sessions throughout the year, facilitated by CACP staff
• Complete time sheets in a timely manner, every two weeks
• Provide photo documentation of your work at your host site
• Thoughtful completion of all CACP evaluations
• Maintain communication with CACP staff regarding any challenges and/or successes related to your experience at your host site

Additional Information:

Please note MassArt:

• Does not support employment-based visa sponsorship or non-student exchange visitor visa sponsorship.
• Is not an E-Verify institution.

Selected candidates must be eligible to work in the US at the time of employment, complete all onboarding tasks including a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) background review and provide proof of eligibility to work in the US by completing the Form 19, Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

You are required to show proof of your identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of the start of your employment. You will not be authorized to work in any capacity until all paperwork has been completed. For a list of all acceptable documents please click here.

Comprehensive Benefits (does not apply to contractor/student positions):
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Please click here to view MassArt Benefits.

MassArt provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy-related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class.

MassArt complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the college operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.