Curatorial assistant

Schedule : Full Time, 35 hours / week, approximately three days working onsite

Reporting to the Interim Curator and Head of Painting and Sculpture, the Curatorial Assistant contributes to all aspects of the Painting and Sculpture Department’s work on the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, accessions, and administrative projects.

The Curatorial Assistant supports department curators in the management, research, development, documentation, presentation, and interpretation of the SFMOMA collection and temporary exhibitions.

This position maintains communication on behalf of the department with museum staff, donors, artists, and arts professionals, and builds and maintains advantageous relationships with the local, national, and international art community including artists, collectors, dealers, donors, and staff from other museums.

While professional experience and qualifications are key for this role, make sure to check you have the preferable soft skills before applying if required.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Assist with collection and exhibition research including, but not limited to : research and compilation of biographies, chronologies, and exhibition histories, and documentation of individual works in collections management system.
• Support the preparation, coordination, and implementation of Painting and Sculpture Accessions Committee meetings, and other events and programs, including but not limited to generating guest lists, reserving facilities, procuring required equipment, confirming all arrangements, and greeting guests on behalf of the department.
• Draft communications from the Painting and Sculpture Department, including newsletters for the accessions committee and invitations to department events.
• Assist with drafting and producing correspondence, loan forms, manuscripts, exhibition wall labels, and other materials related to permanent collection and / or special exhibitions.

Review finished materials for completeness, accuracy, format, compliance with SFMOMA and departmental policies and procedures, and proper English usage.

• Maintain computer database of checklists for exhibitions.
• Compile and deliver data on department exhibitions and acquisitions for museum-wide annual DEI Dashboard.
• Facilitate interdepartmental communication closely with EDCC, Exhibitions, Registration, Installation, Conservation, Publications, Design, and Development.
• Facilitate external communication with artists, collectors, lenders, dealers, scholars, and staff members from other museums.
• Provide support for lectures and presentations, including preparing research and PowerPoint slides.
• Maintain accurate records of meetings, including preparing agendas and PowerPoint slides and taking minutes, as requested.
• Oversee department email and inbox, including responses to emails when appropriate.
• Maintain, update, and archive the departmental physical and electronic files.
• Assist with the management of travel budgets and arrangements, including hotel reservations and transportation for curatorial staff, visiting artists, and speakers, as needed.
• Act as spokesperson for the department and the museum as needed, including greeting guests and providing occasional tours of the galleries.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

• Master’s degree in Art History or related field, with an emphasis in modern and / or contemporary art.
• Minimum of two (2) years related experience.
• Knowledge of and interest in modern and contemporary art history and terminology.
• Excellent writing, communication, and organization skills and attention to detail. Knowledge of correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Knowledge of and interest in national and international current events and politics.
• Knowledge of standard office practices, letter writing, bookkeeping, filing, scheduling, database management, Microsoft Office software suite, Zoom, faxing, email, answering telephones, and the operation of common office equipment.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with donors, artists, Museum staff, colleagues, and the public, whether in person, on the telephone, or in writing.
• Familiarity with collection, digital asset, donor, and contacts management programs as well as basic a / v equipment, (video projectors, digital audio recording devices, photo and video cameras), and image and video editing software applications preferred.
• Additional language skills, an asset.

Working Conditions

• Must be able to visually inspect work.
• Must be able to accompany artists off site for research as needed.

$29.79 - $35.75 an hour$29.79 / hour (starting); $35.75 / hour (position)This is a union position subject to the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Job posting open date : 8 / 15 / 25

All jobs posted will remain open for at least five business days.

We encourage both internal and external candidates to apply within the initial open posting period as the application close date may or may not be extended beyond that initial period.

Applications will not be accepted after a posting has been closed.

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Last updated : 2024-10-11

Salary : $30 - $36