Full- and Part-time positions

Job Descriptions

REPORTS TO: Project Manager, Catalogue Raisonné
LOCATION: New York City
STATUS: Full-time permanent, non-exempt

The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation expands the legacy of artist Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008) who believed strongly in the power of art as a catalyst for social change. The Foundation delivers on its mission through on-going research and support for exhibitions, while sustaining the well-being of innovative artists and the work of socially engaged institutions that embody the same risk-taking, inclusive, and multidisciplinary approach that Rauschenberg exemplified in both his art and philanthropic endeavors.

In its stewardship of Rauschenberg’s artistic legacy, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation is undertaking the first Catalogue Raisonné dedicated to the sixty-year career of this protean artist. In its entirety, the Rauschenberg Catalogue Raisonné of Painting and Sculpture will comprise approximately 3,000 of artworks and will be published in a digital format. The first volume, covering the years 1948 to 1953, will be published digitally in 2025.

Robert Rauschenberg and the Catalogue Raisonné Project

Working in a wide range of subjects, styles, materials, and techniques, Robert Rauschenberg has been called a forerunner of essentially every postwar movement since Abstract Expressionism. He remained, however, independent of any particular affiliation. At the time that he began making art in the late 1940s and early 1950s, his belief that “painting relates to both art and life” challenged the prevalent modernist aesthetic. The celebrated Combines, begun in the mid-1950s, brought real-world images and objects into the realm of abstract painting and countered sanctioned divisions between painting and sculpture. These works established the artist’s ongoing dialogue between mediums, between the handmade and the readymade, and between the gestural brushstroke and the mechanically reproduced image. Rauschenberg’s lifelong commitment to collaboration—with performers, printmakers, engineers, writers, artists, and artisans from around the world—is a further manifestation of his expansive artistic philosophy. While Rauschenberg was a preeminent American artist of the twentieth century, his career continued into the twenty-first and his work remains contemporary and entirely relevant to a younger generation of artists.

This catalogue will be designed to contain all that is found in a conventional catalogue raisonné and to meet scholarly and market-based needs. In keeping with Rauschenberg’s own expansive artistic philosophy, however, we intend in addition to engage a broader audience and to include writers with various areas of interest and expertise; beyond art historians, there will be writings by social historians, conservators, and practicing artists, among others. With a multitude of diverse voices, it is our intention to present a range of perspectives that is commensurate with, and at times even goes beyond, the expansiveness of Rauschenberg’s thinking as well as his spirit of inclusivity. Furthermore, we will make use of all the technical possibilities of a digital publication to demonstrate Rauschenberg’s interests, processes, and collaborations.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS

The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation seeks a full-time Assistant to join the Catalogue Raisonné (CR) team. Reporting to the Project Manager, the Catalogue Raisonné Assistant is responsible for a variety of administrative tasks in support of the Catalogue Raisonné project.

Job responsibilities will include:

Assisting the CR Project Manager in ensuring all aspects of the Catalogue Raisonné project are moving forward on schedule and on budget
Coordinating and attending all CR-related meetings, including distributing agendas and relevant materials, taking notes, and distributing and tracking follow-ups and action items
Scheduling CR examinations for the Volume 1 Editor and CR Project Manager, as well as any conservators, art handlers, and/or photographers necessary
Coordinating all travel arrangements
Processing invoices and tracking the CR budget
Assisting CR editors and contributing authors with research needs
Maintaining and updating style guides and workflow documentation
Any other duties reasonably related to the functions described above

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Bachelor’s degree in related field
Minimum of 2 years professional experience
Self-starter, with persistent, self-motivated follow-up until tasks are completed
Meticulous attention to detail; able to manage, document, and organize large amounts of data and content with precision and consistency
Superb administrative and communication skills, both oral and written
Excellent time management skills; able to plan and independently manage workload to meet short- and long-term deadlines
Ability to manage multiple workflows and priorities
Works well independently as well as collaboratively, in an open-plan office
Strong interpersonal skills; able to work collaboratively with the Catalogue Raisonné team and colleagues across the Foundation, as well as interact with a wide range of people including museum staff, collectors, gallerists, and auction house personnel
Proficient with Microsoft Office, G-Suite, scanning software and hardware, Adobe Photoshop, and project management software such as Asana
Discretion (must be willing to sign a confidentiality agreement)
Familiarity with 20th-century art and art historical research methodologies a plus
Experience entering data into a catalogue raisonné or collection database a plus
Knowledgeable about or interested in the work of Robert Rauschenberg

ADA SPECIFICATIONS

While largely sedentary, this position requires the ability to sit, stand, and lift up to 50 pounds, as well as speak and hear, sometimes for extended periods of time.
Requires the ability to use a computer and office equipment traditionally found in office
settings.

Equal Opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer and in our commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive work environment, the Rauschenberg Foundation strives to attract a diverse mix of talented people. Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds in arts organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.

Compensation
Compensation is expected to be between $50,000 and $55,000, commensurate with experience. Competitive benefit package.

Application instructions
Please email a resume and cover letter to employment@rauschenbergfoundation.org. Please indicate “Application for Catalogue Raisonné Assistant” in the subject of your email.

Applications closed on September 15, 2023.

Digital Content Coordinator

REPORTS TO: Director of Archives
LOCATION: New York City
STATUS: Full-time permanent, non-exempt

The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation primarily supports small to midsize arts and socially engaged organizations that are contrarian and experimental, even courageous, in driving towards equity. In addition, the Foundation amplifies the creative life of artists and scholars across the disciplines through residencies, commissions, and accessible public platforms. Finally, the Foundation supports research, exhibitions, publications, academic partnerships, and special projects across the globe that promote the legacy of Rauschenberg’s joyful, responsive, and irreverent approach to making work while living an empathetic and meaningful life.

POSITION SUMMARY

In collaboration with Foundation staff, the Digital Content Coordinator is responsible for developing, creating, monitoring, and refreshing content on the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation website and its social media channels.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Produce engaging content for the Foundation’s website, email blasts, and social media channels, including written, photo, and video content
Gather, proof, upload, and manage all image, video and audio assets for the website and social media platforms, ensuring accessibility and usability
Monitor, update, and refresh website content
Manage the social media calendar and content
Interact with users and respond to social media messages, inquiries, and comments
Manage the Foundation’s email list
Special projects including coordinating logistics for the digital build of the Catalogue Raisonné and the redesign of the Foundation’s website, liaising with internal and external stakeholders, and tracking deadlines and deliverables
Maintain best practices for publishing on the website and social media channels, implementing the Foundation’s style guidelines, and ensuring accuracy and a consistent brand voice across all digital platforms
Review analytics and create reports on key metrics
Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE SKILL REQUIRED

Bachelor’s degree in related field
Minimum of 3 years professional web, social media, or digital content production experience
Knowledge of 20th-century art and art historical research methodologies
Extremely organized
Strong copywriting and copy-editing skills
Detail-oriented, with ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
Superb interpersonal and communication skills: professional maturity working with colleagues across the Foundation as well as third-party partners
Proficient with content management systems (Drupal experience a plus), HTML, image/photo and video editing tools, Google Analytics, project management software such as Asana, and major social media platforms
Ability to understand historical, current, and future trends in the digital content and social media space

ADA SPECIFICATIONS

While largely sedentary, this position requires the ability to sit, stand, lift up to 50 lbs, as well as speak, and hear, sometimes for extended periods of time.
Requires the ability to use a computer and office equipment traditionally found in office
settings.

Equal Opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer and in our commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive work environment, the Rauschenberg Foundation strives to attract a diverse mix of talented people. Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds in arts organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.

Compensation
Compensation is expected to be between $55,000 and $65,000, commensurate with experience. Competitive benefit package.

Application instructions and deadline
Please email a resume and cover letter to employment@rauschenbergfoundation.org. Please indicate “Application for Digital Content Coordinator” in the subject of your email.

Applications closed on September 15, 2023.

Human Resources Manager

REPORTING TO: Chief Operating Officer
DEPARTMENT: Administration
LOCATION: New York City

The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation (“Foundation”) expands the legacy of artist Robert Rauschenberg (1925–2008) who believed strongly in the power of art as a catalyst for social change. The Foundation delivers on its mission through ongoing research and support for exhibitions, while sustaining the well- being of innovative artists and the work of socially engaged institutions that embody the same risk-taking, inclusive, and multidisciplinary approach that Rauschenberg exemplified in both his art and philanthropic endeavors. The Foundation primarily supports small to midsize arts and socially engaged organizations that are contrarian and experimental, even courageous, in driving towards equity. In addition, the Foundation amplifies the creative life of artists and scholars across the disciplines through residencies, commissions, and accessible public platforms. Finally, the Foundation supports research, exhibitions, publications, academic partnerships, and special projects across the globe that promote the legacy of Rauschenberg’s joyful, responsive, and irreverent approach to making work while living an empathetic and meaningful life.

POSITION SUMMARY
RRF has a long history of hiring engaged, productive employees, and we’re looking for a human resources (HR) manager to continue this tradition. The ideal candidate will have experience in HR or employee recruitment, with a thorough understanding of HR policies and procedures. The bulk of the role will involve employee orientations, benefits administration, compensation, rewards, and conflict resolution, and there is great opportunity for developing and refining systems. We’re eager to find a human resources manager who connects easily with people and has a detail-oriented mindset for handling the dynamic nature of today’s workforce. The HR Manager will report to the Chief Operating Officer and is an important member of the administrative team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversee and refine employee standards and procedures, using existing HR systems as well as identify and recommend improvements to internal standard operating procedures, including team restructuring and morale building, where necessary.
Serve as primary contact for all payroll related matters and retirement contributions for employees.
Process payroll for up to 50 staff members
Be the primary intermediary between external PEO and employees.
Prepare and review year end compensation reports from external PEO
Implement recruitment and onboarding processes that perform with a high standard for quality and in alignment with current standard business practices, including establishing and conducting orientation and training programs so that employees understand how they can best support the Foundation’s mission.
Maintain and enhance employee benefits programs, including compensation, health insurance, leave, and vacation.
Develop, deliver, and maintain management guidelines that support departments’ human-resources policies and procedures and reinforce the Foundation’s overall business direction and mission.
Plan, monitor, and appraise HR activities in compliance with national and local HR regulations by scheduling management conferences, resolving employee grievances, training managers in how to coach and discipline, and counseling employees and supervisors.
Build strong relationships with external suppliers, fostering trust and promoting collaboration.
Collect Conflict of Interest Forms from staff, board, advisory councils, and vendors.
Handle confidential matters with discretion.

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of five years’ experience in human resources or employee recruitment
Experience working with non-for-profit businesses an advantage.
Minimum bachelor’s degree in business, arts administration, or related field.
Demonstrated ability to proactively prioritize and manage time, juggle multiple duties, and meet deadlines.
Exceptional judgment, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive situations and matters.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and an ethical mindset
Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
Strong understanding of national laws related to HR specifically looking at NY and Florida state laws.
Ability to maintain a highly professional, positive, and flexible demeanor with rapid and shifting priorities.
Proven organizational ability, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
Works well within a small dynamic team in a progressive environment.

ADA SPECIFICATIONS

Requires the ability to use a computer and office equipment traditionally found in office settings.
The ability to traverse stairs.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
As an equal opportunity employer and in our commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive work environment, the Foundation strives to attract a diverse mix of talented people. Individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds in arts organizations are strongly encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION
Compensation is expected to be between $165,000 and $175,000, commensurate with experience. Competitive benefit package.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND DEADLINE
Please email letters of interest, including salary expectations, along with your cover letter, resume, and three professional references to employment@rauschenbergfoundation.org. Please indicate “Application for HR Manager” in the subject of your email.

Applications closed on September 15, 2023.

Please note that the Foundation has instituted protocols to ensure the health and safety of everyone who comes onsite, including a requirement that all staff and visitors be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, other than accommodations required by law for religious or disability objections.