Curatorial Assistant

Assistants vs. Agents; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

15 days PTO + holidays

401k retirement plan with companymatch

LinkedIn Learning access

Free Academy membership screenings

Free tickets and screenings

Job summary

Niceboard in Los Angeles is seeking a Curatorial Assistant to support the curatorial team on exhibitions and related administrative tasks. You will conduct exhibition research, help develop narratives, and collaborate with planning, design, production, and registration teams to ensure successful openings.

The role involves gallery tours and public-facing duties after openings, and requires a bachelor’s degree in film studies, museum studies, or art history, plus 2+ years of museum experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in film studies, museum studies, art history, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of museum work experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of film history.
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication for broad audiences.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Support disseminating knowledge on film history through exhibitions and public programs.
• Assist with research, planning, organization, and realization of exhibitions and gallery rotations, including administrative support.
• Develop exhibition narratives, checklists, provenance, loans, and media components for projects of any scale.
• May lead clearly defined small-scale projects under supervision.
• Conduct filmographic, bibliographic, and biographic research.
• Write and edit exhibition wall texts and object labels.
• Collaborate with planning, design, production, registration, and collection management teams.
• Assist in researching potential acquisitions for the Academy Collection.
• Collaborate with Education, Public Engagement, Film Programs, Marketing, Communications, and Content teams.
• Assist Advancement with grant writing and donor cultivation.
• Perform other duties reasonably related to the functions described.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Collaboration

Diversity & inclusion

Education

Bachelor’s degree in film studies / museum studies / art history

Job description

Department: Curatorial

Reports to: Curator

Job Type: Full-time – Regular

Job Classification: Hourly (Non-exempt)

Workplace Location: Los Angeles – Academy Museum

Compensation: $28.85 - $29.80 per hour

Summary/Objective:

The Curatorial Assistant supports curatorial team members on all aspects of exhibitions, while performing administrative duties in relation to exhibition projects. As an integral member of the curatorial team, this position conducts exhibition research and exhibition development tasks as assigned by the project’s lead curator. The Curatorial Assistant collaborates closely with Exhibition Planning, Exhibition Design and Production, Registration and Collection Management, and other museum departments to support the successful execution of exhibitions.

Following exhibition openings, the Curatorial Assistant also contributes to the visitor experience by providing gallery tours, responding to inquiries, and performing other related public-facing duties.

This position is represented by a union.

Essential Functions of the Job:

• Support disseminating knowledge on film history through mission critical exhibitions, publications, gallery talks, and other innovative public programs.
• Assist curators with all aspects of research, planning, organization, and realization of exhibitions and gallery rotations, including administrative support.
• Assist with the development of exhibition narratives and checklists, object provenance, securing loans, and creating media and interactive components for projects of any scale, and assist the lead curator in the layout and installation phases of an exhibition project.
• May take the lead on curating a clearly defined small-scale project under the guidance and supervision of the curatorial team.
• Conduct filmographic, bibliographic, and biographic research.
• Write, edit, and collaborate on the design of exhibition wall texts and object labels.
• Collaborate closely with planning, design, production, and registration and collection management teams on implementing exhibitions.
• May assist in research into potential acquisitions for the Academy Collection.
• May support curatorial staff in various aspects of publication work.
• May assist a guest curator on exhibition projects.
• May assist lead curators on touring Academy Museum exhibitions to other institutions.
• May assist lead curators on exhibitions organized by another institution traveling to the Academy Museum.
• Maintain contacts with filmmakers, scholars, curators, critics, authors, and other colleagues in the field and culture in general.
• Collaborate with Education and Public Engagement and Film Programs teams on innovative interpretive programs geared for a wide range of audiences, including adults, universities, schools, families, and children.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Communications, and Content teams in support of exhibitions.
• As assigned, works with the Advancement staff to cultivate individuals, corporations, and foundations in support of the museum's programs, including grant writing.
• Perform other duties reasonably related to the functions described above.

Required Competencies:

• A bachelor’s degree in film studies, museum studies, art history, or related subject, or equivalent professional experience is required.
• 2+ years of museum work experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of film history.
• Excellent organizational, prioritization, and time management skills; ability to execute multiple, high-priority projects, with keen attention to detail and timely follow through.
• Highly developed written and verbal communications skills geared toward a wide audience.
• Proven ability for collaborative working methods.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

Required Vaccination: Full vaccination against COVID-19 is required, including any booster vaccinations as applicable.Exception: Medical and religious accommodations approved by the Office of People & Culture.

Our Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 15 days of PTO, plus company-paid holidays.
• Additional time off including summer hours, winter hours, and a cultural floating holiday.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid parental leave.
• 401k retirement plan with a company match
• Clean Air Commuter Program
• Employee Assistance Program through ComPsych Guidance Resources.
• Wellness benefits through Cigna Healthcare.
• Free access to 16,000+ online courses through LinkedIn Learning
• Free Academy membership screenings
• Free tickets and screenings at the Academy Museum
• Employee discounts through LifeMart and Working Advantage

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