Object Research & Writing Manager

Pace is a leading international art gallery representing some of the most influential contemporary artists and estates from the past century, holding decades-long relationships with Alexander Calder, Jean Dubuffet, Barbara Hepworth, Agnes Martin, Louise Nevelson, and Mark Rothko. Pace enjoys a unique U.S. heritage spanning East and West coasts through its early support of artists central to the Abstract Expressionist and Light and Space movements. Since its founding by Arne Glimcher in 1960, Pace has developed a distinguished legacy as an artist-first gallery that mounts seminal historical and contemporary exhibitions. Under the current leadership of CEO Marc Glimcher, Pace continues to support its artists and share their visionary work with audiences worldwide by remaining at the forefront of innovation. Today, Pace has seven locations worldwide, including a European foothold in London and Geneva; two galleries in New York; Los Angeles; Hong Kong; and Seoul, as well as offices in Beijing and Berlin. In spring 2024, Pace will open its first gallery space in Japan in Tokyo’s new Azabudai Hills development.

The Object Research and Writing (ORW) Manager reports to the Senior Director, Research & Archives, and has primary responsibility for supervising three associates, forming R&A’s Object Research and Writing team (ORW). The role includes researching and writing sales narratives on works of art in the gallery’s inventory, with a focus on secondary consignments, compiling provenance and other information from gallery records and published sources, and conducting complex searches using local, national, and international databases, bibliographic utilities, archival and sales records. The Manager ensures the highest standards of due diligence research and documentation methods are followed and provides guidance on writing sales narratives and narrative artist biographies. Suggests improvements to process, is knowledgeable of internal and external resources. Works closely with the following departments: Communications & Marketing; Dealer offices; Publications, Exhibitions, Art Resources, and Art Fairs teams.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Write and edit texts and research for sales packets using comparable works, and additional history sheet information.
• Research and document provenance, exhibition history, and literature references for primary and secondary objects in the Gallery’s inventory. Maintain detailed records on provenance research, process, and sources.
• Follow-up with various sources to comprehensively update object history
• Research for High Value Works (HVW) and writing for High Value Works. 
• Cross edit and fact check history sheets, art fair, sales packets, artist bios, and other gallery texts
• Compile and vet comparable artwork lists with Object Research Associate.
• Conduct and verify research at New York City libraries and institutions
• Oversee updates to history sheet style guide and internal protocol guidelines.
• Stay current with research best practices, updating existing and introducing new resources and practices for R&A.

Research Project Management

• Manage the day-to-day relationship with research partners and stakeholders where applicable.
• Manage workflow and assign writing texts/research to associates as needed.
• Manage and assign history sheet assignments for exhibitions.
• Manage incoming art works for history research.
• Develop project management processes and procedures where needed
• Participate in regular team and departmental meetings, managing ORW team schedules and setting agendas for quarterly meetings.
• Manage freelance writer/researcher hires and contracts.
• Work with Senior Director on developing special projects focused on secondary market initiatives.

Object Research General Responsibilities 

• Research and document provenance, exhibition history, and literature references for objects in the Gallery’s inventory, both primary and secondary, on a rolling basis.
• Maintain detailed due diligence records on provenance research, process, and sources.
• Keep updated log of internal statistical reports across research and writing projects.
• Follow-up with various sources in order to update object history.
• Conduct and compile auction research on objects and filter external research requests.
• Responsible for conducting and verifying research at New York City libraries and institutions.
• Organize and file both hardcopy and electronic research documentation.
• Enter compiled research into inventory management database in accordance with established protocols.
• Additional duties as required.

In addition to an active and progressive work environment, Pace Gallery offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement plans with a company match, flexible spending accounts and commuter benefits. We encourage a healthy work/life balance and offer a generous vacation policy.

Pace Gallery is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, Veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Requirements

What You’ll Bring: 

• 5+ years’ experience in similar roles at an auction house, gallery, or museum.
• MA degree in Art History, Fine Arts, Museum Studies, Art Criticism, or other equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated writing, provenance, and archival research experience along with in-depth knowledge of 20th Century and Contemporary Art.
• Background in proposal writing and pulling analytics.
• Experience with cataloguing artwork and conducting auction/art market research and comparables.
• Knowledge of research best practices, such as familiarity with catalogues raisonné and the Art Loss Register.
• Familiarity and proficiency with museum, gallery, or library collections management software and Microsoft Office suite, digital scanning applications, Adobe, project management tools.
• Flexibility and strong follow-through on work assignments.
• A demonstrated ability to manage a team, complex projects, and coordinate multiple projects simultaneously with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity conducting research in libraries and archives and traveling and researching at off-site New York locations, as needed.
• Spoken and written fluency in English required. Additional foreign language(s) such as French, Italian, German, Spanish, and /or Chinese preferred.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Free Food & Snacks