Mellon Art Writing and Assistant Editor

Tulane University New Orleans, LA Full-time

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Newcomb Art Museum (NAM) seeks applications for a two-year, Andrew W. Mellon funded Arts Writing and Editorial position to work with NAM staff to write exhibition and collection-related texts and work with institutional partners within Tulane University and arts leaders across New Orleans. In addition, Newcomb Art Museum is partnering with Art Papers, an Atlanta-based nonprofit, to provide an opportunity for the Assistant Editor to develop and expand their writing and editorial portfolio. The goal of this appointment is to increase underrepresented perspectives in the field of arts criticism and journalism; develop more diverse voices in publishing; and impart inclusive writing practices that can undo existing norms within arts-related institutions and the public sphere that are informed by structural inequality, stereotypes, and exclusionary practices.

About Newcomb Art Museum

Created in 1996, Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University builds upon the legacy of Newcomb College (the first degree-granting coordinate college for women in the U.S., existing from 1886 - 2006) and celebrates the college’s vision for education, social enterprise, and artistic experience. Today, the museum cares for a permanent collection of over 7,000 artworks and presents contemporary art exhibitions and interdisciplinary programs. The exhibitions and programs highlight the contributions of women to in art and design and features work of artists from historically underrepresented communities to foster the exchange of ideas, civic dialogue, and community transformation. The museum also deploys the faculty expertise of a Research 1 University to explore socially engaged art and provide opportunities for a new generation of museum professionals.

About Art Papers

For 46 years Art Papers has provided multiple platforms for publishing and presenting diverse voices and critical perspectives on the cultural moments and urgent conversations happening in and beyond the art world. The organization is committed to creating space for and amplifying diverse voices especially those that have historically been marginalized in the art world. Art Papers empowers its contributors and artists to share a perspective on the art world that does not center Whiteness, heteronormativity, and ableist narratives. Based in Atlanta, Art Papers represents the American South globally and offers an underrepresented perspective on the global art world, one that champions important work being produced outside of cultural capitals and mainstream markets.

Mildred Thompson Editorial Position

The Arts Writer and Editorial position is named in honor of Mildred Thompson, Associate Editor of ART PAPERS in the 1980s–1990s. Thompson, herself an artistic force who is only now beginning to receive long-overdue recognition for her artwork, was responsible for interviewing leading Black artists, cultural producers, and thought leaders of the time. She challenged the white establishment artworld for their lack of diversity—and she did it from Atlanta, in the pages of ART PAPERS. This Editorial Assistantship builds upon her legacy.

Position Description

Arts writing is a critical part of collections management, museum education, and curatorial practice. The Mildred Thompson Arts Writer and Assistant Editor will be based at Newcomb Art Museum at Tulane University, will train with Atlanta-based Art Papers, and will work with academic partners within Tulane University and other universities and colleges in New Orleans.

Based in New Orleans, the Assistant Editor will work closely with Newcomb Art Museum staff and alongside the museum staff to produce interpretive writing for NAM, its collections, and exhibitions. The individual will also take quarterly, funded trips to Atlanta to work in-person with Art Papers staff. The Assistant Editor will receive hands on training with the editorial team at Art Papers where they will gain writing, editing, and publishing experience. They will have the opportunity to produce public programs with both institutions. Additionally, they may find opportunities writing on art exhibitions at several of the other museums and galleries in New Orleans. The two-year staff-level appointment includes a competitive salary plus benefits provided through Tulane University.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

The Arts Writer and Assistant Editor will be based at the Newcomb Art Museum at Tulane University and will have duties and responsibilities at both NAM and Art Papers. They are expected to participate in the staff meetings of both institutions. Because this is an inaugural position, the individual will have the opportunity to help shape the program and its deliverables.

Writing & Editorial Responsibilities

Conceived as an arts writer in residence, this person will report to NAM’s Executive Director, and will work closely with the entire staff. They will be responsible for editing arts-related materials including permanent collection object descriptions and other forms of educational, curatorial, and historical writing. They will write and edit press releases, social media posts, and other marketing and promotional materials. They will proofread documents to identify grammatical and spelling errors. They will conduct research to help staff maintain accuracy in their publications and print materials. Most important, they will help the Communications Manager plan, implement, and manage the publication of exhibition catalogues and brochures, including the layout and design.

With Art Papers, the Assistant will commission and edit content for ARTPAPERS.org and ART PAPERS magazine. They will contribute their own writing to ART PAPERS and will participate in mentorship and networking opportunities with the Art Papers editorial team, Contributing Editors, and program partners. Part of their charge will be to provide coverage and content to Art Papers from the Gulf South, Atlanta, and Texas.

The Assistant will conceptualize and co-edit an issue of ART PAPERS magazine for publication in year two of the Assistantship. This includes articulation of the theme, as well as commissioning, editing, and producing original writing for the issue.

PROGRAMMING

The Arts Writer and Editor will have a hand in developing public facing programming for both Newcomb Art Museum and Art Papers. The position involves working with Art Papers and NAM/Tulane staff to develop an art writing incubator for students at universities and colleges across New Orleans and aspiring writers among the broader public. The individual will program, administer, and co-lead workshops focused on contemporary arts writing—its forms, applications, and publication opportunities—to be hosted in New Orleans by Newcomb Art Museum. In addition, they will have the opportunity to produce programming in Atlanta related specifically to their editorial work at Art Papers. Programming will be developed in consultation with the Art Papers editorial team.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit a resume or CV, a statement of interest, and a writing sample not to exceed 5 pages. The writing sample can be a single text, or excerpts from multiple texts, but the excerpts should be long enough to be legible.

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Tulane University

New Orleans, LA