Research & Curatorial Manager

PROJECT-BASED SUMMER POSITION | The Children’s Gallery ChicagoORGANIZATION OVERVIEWThe Children’s Gallery Chicago (TCGC) is a youth-centered arts nonprofit creating neighborhood-based creative programming, public art pop-ups, and community-rooted exhibitions across Chicago, especially on the West Side. Through hands-on artmaking, storytelling, and youth leadership, TCGC helps young people build confidence, strengthen their voices, and shape how their communities are seen and celebrated.This summer, TCGC is launching a multi-neighborhood arts intensive that blends visual art, creative writing, youth leadership, exhibition-making, and arts-based research. We’re looking for someone thoughtful, organized, collaborative, and creatively curious to help us shape how that work is documented, interpreted, and shared.ROLE SUMMARYThe Research & Curatorial Manager supports the research, interpretation, documentation, and exhibition development processes of TCGC’s summer pilot. This role helps translate youth-created artworks, reflections, and program materials into meaningful public-facing outcomes, including exhibitions, artist statements, interpretive text, and digital archival materials.Working closely with the Executive Director, teaching artists, youth researchers, and project partners, the Research & Curatorial Manager helps shape how the story of the program is documented, understood, and shared.KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO)RESEARCH + INTERPRETATIONSupport arts-based research processes embedded in the summer programHelp identify recurring themes, insights, and patterns across youth reflections, artworks, and discussionsAssist in translating program documentation into coherent interpretive frameworksDOCUMENTATION + ARCHIVAL COORDINATIONHelp establish systems for organizing and preserving youth-created work, artist statements, photographs, and project materialsCollaborate with the archivist and program team to ensure materials are gathered and prepared for digital archive useMaintain documentation workflows that support both internal learning and public presentationEXHIBITION DEVELOPMENTSupport exhibition planning, work selection, thematic grouping, and installation preparationHelp shape labels, artist statements, didactic text, and other interpretive materialsContribute to the public-facing presentation of youth work in ways that honor voice, context, and communityPROGRAM COLLABORATIONAttend key program days, especially during exhibition-preparation phasesCollaborate with teaching artists, youth fellows, and leadership to ensure research and curatorial work remain connected to the actual lived program experienceParticipate in planning, debrief, and post-program synthesis conversations-----------------We’re looking for someone who is both imaginative and grounded. The ideal candidate does not need to come from a traditional museum path, but should feel excited by the intersection of art, youth voice, interpretation, and public presentation.STRONG CANDIDATES MAY BRING EXPERIENCE IN:CurationMuseum educationArts administrationCommunity-based researchArchivesPublic humanitiesSocially engaged artExhibition developmentYouth-centered creative programmingWE'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS:A strong writer and thoughtful editorHighly organized and comfortable building systems from the ground upAble to synthesize qualitative material into clear themes and public-facing languageCollaborative, communicative, and steadyComfortable moving between behind-the-scenes organization and public-facing creative workEnergized by youth-centered, neighborhood-rooted arts practiceBilingual in English and Spanish, including the ability to help translate written content for exhibition, interpretation, and community-facing materialsTHE POSITION WILL INVOLVE A MIX OF:Remote planning, writing, and synthesis workIn-person program days across TCGC’s summer sitesIn-person exhibition preparation and post-program synthesis sessionsPre-program training and planning, active summer program weeks, exhibition preparation, and post-program research and archival synthesis.20-30 hours per week depending on project phase, with lighter planning periods and heavier in-person weeks during exhibition preparation and final research/archival synthesis.LOCATIONThis is a hybrid, part-time project-based role based in Chicago. Summer programming will take place across multiple Chicago neighborhoods,(Humboldt Park, East Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and Austin). Candidates should be comfortable traveling within the city for key in-person days.COMPENSATION + BENEFITS$40/hourTimeline: June through August 2026A small travel stipend-----------------HOW TO APPLY***MANDATORY:*** Please send the following to Executive Director Patty Aikonedo at with the subject line: \"Research & Curatorial Manager Application – [LAST NAME, FIRST NAME]\"INCLUDE:A short introduction or cover letterYour resume/CV1–2 relevant work samples, if availableAnything else you’d like us to know about how you approach this kind of workIn your note, feel free to tell us why this role speaks to you, especially if your background doesn’t fit neatly into one category. We care just as much about thoughtfulness, alignment, and curiosity as we do about titles.-----------------The Children’s Gallery Chicago is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a team that reflects the richness, creativity, and diversity of the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, multilingual candidates, people with disabilities, and others whose experiences and perspectives have been historically underrepresented in arts, research, and cultural work.We also know that many strong candidates, especially women and candidates of color, may hesitate to apply unless they feel they meet every listed qualification. If this role feels meaningful to you, we hope you’ll apply. We value care, curiosity, lived experience, and alignment just as much as conventional credentials.