Curatorial Assistant

TAPP Film; United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

15 days PTO

Holidays

Parental leave

401k matching

Wellness program

LinkedIn Learning access

Free museum tickets

Employee discounts

Job summary

TAPP Film seeks a Curatorial Assistant at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles. You will support the curatorial team on exhibition research and administrative duties, collaborating across departments to ensure the successful realization of exhibitions.

After openings, you will assist in visitor engagement through gallery tours and public inquiries. The role involves creating wall texts, labels, and interpretive materials, coordinating loans, and contributing to publication work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in film studies, museum studies, art history, or related field.
• 2+ years of museum work experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of film history.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with a wide audience.
• Proven collaborative working methods and teamwork.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
• Required COVID-19 vaccination, including boosters where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Support dissemination of knowledge on film history through exhibitions, publications, talks, and public programs.
• Assist curators with research, planning, organization, and realization of exhibitions and gallery rotations.
• Develop exhibition narratives, checklists, provenance, loans, and media components; assist layout and installation.
• Lead small, clearly defined projects under supervision.
• Conduct filmographic, bibliographic, and biographic research.
• Write and edit exhibition wall texts and object labels.
• Collaborate with planning, design, production, and registration teams on exhibitions.
• Support potential acquisitions research for the Academy Collection.
• Assist in publication work and guest curator projects as needed.
• Coordinate with Education, Public Engagement, and Film Programs teams on interpretive programs.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Attention to detail

Vaccination compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in film studies or related field

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
• @museumLI