Junior Curator of Collections - Jewish Museum of Belgium - Vollzeit

The Museum

Through exhibitions blending Art and History, the Jewish Museum of Belgium invites the public to explore the diversity of Jewish cultures, both past and present. Located in the heart of the European capital, our mission is to preserve Belgium's Jewish heritage in order to perpetuate its collective memory. Thanks to a bold cultural program enriched by universal themes, the museum serves as a vital intercultural mediator, promoting the values of openness and inclusivity. Its educational work with school audiences, advocating for intercultural and interreligious dialogue, earned it the Democracy and Human Rights Award from the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation in 2020.

A new Jewish Museum of Belgium will open in early 2028. The new permanent exhibition, spanning five floors, will be organized in a chronological-thematic format, with a special focus on artistic creations and the cultural heritage preserved by the museum. Visitors will begin their journey on the 5th floor (belvedere) and travel through several centuries of Jewish history in Belgium. Through three central questions—Who are the Jews of Belgium? Who were they? What will they become? —the exhibition will explore themes of diversity and inclusion, which will form the core of its narrative.

Position Description: Junior Curator of Collections

The Jewish Museum of Belgium (JMB) is currently seeking a Junior Curator of Collections to work closely with the museum team on the design and implementation of the new permanent exhibition. Reporting to the Head of Collections and Archives, and working closely with the Director of Exhibitions, the Junior Curator of Collections will be responsible for:

I. Exhibition Development
- Contributing to the design of the new permanent exhibition, from object selection to narrative development, in collaboration with the museum team.
- Identifying gaps in the museum’s collection and arranging loans where necessary.
- Co-supervising the collation and cataloguing of the museum’s collections (8,500 items).

II. Collections Management
- Ensuring the proper conservation of the collections according to current best practices.
- Expanding the online dissemination of collections by entering new items into the Collective Access management software.
- Documenting objects and enriching existing records through scientific research (provenance research, historical research, stylistic identification, etc.).
- Assisting in the development of an emergency plan and a risk management plan.
- Performing administrative tasks related to collections management, including processing loan forms, managing acquisition files, and conducting database searches.

Desired Profile

Skills and Experience:

- A university degree in history or art history, preferably with a focus on Jewish studies.
- Fluency in French and English, with Dutch considered an asset.
- Strong knowledge of Hebrew and/or Yiddish.
- Familiarity with the museum sector and an active interest in it.
- At least 3 years of experience in collections management.

Qualities:

- Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, motivation, proactivity, and the ability to work well within a team.

Contract Details:

- Contract Type: Fixed-term (3 years)
- Duration: January 6, 2025 – December 31, 2027
- Application Deadline: November 30, 2024
- Interviews: Early December 2024
- Start Date: January 6, 2025
- Application Process: Please send a cover letter and detailed CV to Barbara Cuglietta