Research Assistant - Joan Mitchell Foundation

Position Summary

The Joan Mitchell Catalogue Raisonné seeks an experienced and enthusiastic Research Assistant to support ongoing research related to Joan Mitchell's paintings. Working with the Project Manager and research team, the Research Assistant will handle outreach to institutions and private individuals, sourcing and retrieving archival materials, maintaining filing systems, data entry in FileMaker, and monitoring email. The position requires great attention to detail, fact-checking, and administrative support.

Key Details

• Grade/Status: Full Time, Non-Exempt
• Reports To: Project Manager, Mitchell Catalogue Raisonné
• Effective Date: August 17, 2026
• Location: New York, NY / Hybrid (3 days/week in office) / Some local travel required
• Salary Range: $60,000–65,000/year
• Application Deadline: September 19, 2026

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Data entry: Regularly and accurately update and verify artwork records in FileMaker in accordance with JMCR Style Guidelines and the Chicago Manual of Style
• Research: Initiate targeted searches in museum libraries, online auction databases, and digital archives to locate missing citations and verify research findings
• Digital image management: Organize research images, including uploading and tagging exam photographs in FileMaker Pro
• Outreach to auction houses: Prepare bi-annual letter campaigns for auction houses to encourage submissions and track provenance
• Administrative support: Assist research team pre- and post-painting examinations, process exam notes, assist with travel planning, monitor [email protected] inbox, update spreadsheets and calendars, file, scan, send/receive packages as needed
• Research collaboration: Collaborate with the Legacy Team to strategize and coordinate research, documentation, and communication, and report findings in group meetings

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate possesses an academic background in 20th-century art history and has scholarly and/or professional research experience. A successful candidate will have excellent communication skills, great ability to multi-task and prioritize, and readiness to learn on the job. This position requires independent work as well as collaboration within the JMCR team and the wider Joan Mitchell Foundation.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $60,000–65,000/year
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance
• 401k + Employer contribution
• Generous PTO, Sick time, and Floating Holidays
• Commuter benefits (parking and mass transit)
• Pet insurance, group accident insurance, MetLife Auto and Home Insurance, Lega Insurance
• Behavioral Health Employee Assistance Program

About the Joan Mitchell Foundation

The Joan Mitchell Foundation cultivates the study and appreciation of artist Joan Mitchell's life and work, while fulfilling her wish to provide resources and opportunities for visual artists. As the chief steward of Joan Mitchell's legacy, the Foundation manages a collection of Mitchell's artwork and archives containing her personal papers, photographs, sketchbooks, and other historical materials. Over the past 30 years, the Foundation has directly supported more than 1,200 U.S.-based visual artists at varying stages of their careers.