Curatorial Assistant, Publications

The Broad; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision.

401(k) up to 4% match

Paid vacation & sick days

Free parking or LA Metro pass or bike/

Shop discounts at The Broad

Job summary

The Broad in Los Angeles seeks a Curatorial Assistant, Publications, to support development and production of museum publications related to the collection. Reporting to the Curator and Publications Manager, you will perform research, writing, fact-checking, editing, image rights coordination, and project management for catalogues, online publications, and didactic materials.

You will also help write public-facing content related to The Broad collection and exhibitions for Curatorial, Marketing

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of museum publications, publishing, curatorial or related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Art, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies, English, Creative Writing, Journalism, Library Science, Publishing or related field; proven writing/research track record.
• Interest in modern and contemporary art; commitment to inclusive art narratives.
• Experience with copy-editing and fact-checking.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Ability to write for a public audience and support the museum’s voice and style.
• Attention to detail with ability to manage multiple projects.
• Ability to work independently and with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Spanish or another language a plus.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Responsibilities

• Assist in development and planning of The Broad’s publications with a focus on innovation in contemporary art.
• Provide research, writing, fact-checking, and editing for The Broad’s collection and publications.
• Maintain publication schedules and coordinate with Broad staff, writers, publishers, designers, estates, galleries, editors, and photographers to gather materials.
• Seek image and content permissions clearances from copyright owners.
• Review and edit all galleys, bluelines, and plotters; attend color proofing sessions.
• Draft didactic copy to support the museum expansion as needed.
• Assist with writing for public-facing content related to The Broad collection and exhibitions.

Skills

Research & writing

Editing & proofreading

Fact-checking

Communication skills

Project management

Microsoft Office

Bilingual English/Spanish a plus

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Art History/related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Broad was established to make contemporary art accessible to the widest possible audience. Founded in 2015 on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, the museum offers free general admission and presents an active Program of special exhibitions and innovative live events, all within a landmark building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. Welcoming around 900,000 visitors per year, The Broad is a bustling public space and serves as home to the Broad collection, one of the world’s leading collections of postwar and contemporary art, which continues to grow as new artists and artworks are added. The museum is also the headquarters of The Broad Art Foundation’s worldwide lending library, which has been loaning collection works to museums around the world since 1984. An expansion of the museum will open before the 2028 summer Olympics in Los Angeles, creating even greater public access.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Broad is seeking a Curatorial Assistant with experience in publications, art and museums, to support the development and production of museum publications related to The Broad collection. Reporting to the Curator and Publications Manager, with a dotted-line relationship to the Curator and Exhibitions Manager, the Curatorial Assistant, Publications, performs administrative and research tasks, including biographical research and writing, fact-checking, editing, image rights and reproduction, and project management for collection and special exhibition catalogues, online publications, in-gallery brochures, and didactic and interpretive materials.

In addition, the Curatorial Assistant, Publications, will support writing and editing of public-facing content related to The Broad collection and exhibitions for Curatorial, Marketing and Communications, and Audience Engagement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the supervision of the Curator and Publications Manager, contributes to the development and planning of The Broad’s publications with an eye toward innovation in the field of contemporary art.
• Contributes research, writing, fact-checking, and editing related to The Broad’s collection and publications.
• Under the supervision of the Curator and Publications Manager, maintains publication schedules and liaises with Broad staff, writers, publishers, designers, artists, estates, galleries, external editors, and photographers to gather, produce, and track deliverables including images, essays, interviews, and historical and biographical information.
• Seeks selected clearances for image and content permissions from copyright owners for publications.
• Reviews and edits all galleys, bluelines, and plotters.
• Attends color proofing sessions.
• As needed, works with the Curator and Exhibitions Manager and broader curatorial team to research, draft, and edit content on The Broad’s collection and exhibitions, including timelines, archival material, staff training modules, and text for didactic labels, which the Exhibitions team designs, produces, and installs. This includes drafting didactic copy to support the upcoming museum expansion as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 1-2 years of relevant experience in the museum publications, publishing, curatorial work, editorial work, or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Art, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies, English, Creative Writing, Journalism, Library Science, Publishing or related field; a proven record of research and writing preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in modern and contemporary art; commitment to expanding art historical narratives to become more inclusive.
• Experience with copy-editing and fact-checking.
• Ability to conduct, analyze, and organize primary and secondary research.
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to write for a public audience and support the museum’s voice and style.
• Exceptional attention to detail with proven ability to effectively manage multiple projects.
• Ability to work independently as well as effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish or another language is a plus.
• Approach work with integrity and honesty.
• Support and demonstrate the museum’s culture of developing a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment for staff and visitors.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The user must be able to remain stationary and use repetitive movements of wrists, hands, and fingers while working on the computer. The user must also occasionally bend, lift, and twist.

The Broad is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and welcomes conversations about access needs related to this role.

PAY RANGE

$27.50 - $29.32 per hour, based on applicant’s education, experience, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

BENEFITS

• Medical, Dental, and Vision.
• Employer paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance.
• 401(k) up to 4% match, with immediate vesting.
• Additional generous 5% retirement contribution to eligible employees.
• Accrued vacation, sick, volunteer days, and a floating holiday.
• Free parking or free LA Metro pass or bike/walk stipend.
• Discount at The Shop at The Broad, and at local eateries.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background and reference checks.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Broad is an equal opportunity employer, and we aspire to reflect the diversity of Los Angeles in both our staff and our visitors. It is the practice of The Broad to offer equal opportunity consistent with applicable federal and state law in all aspects of employment. All employment decisions will be made in compliance with applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, medical condition (as defined by California law and including Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), actual or perceived), genetic information, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, having filed a discrimination complaint or any other status protected by applicable law. The Broad believes that by actively building a diverse workforce we can innovate, inspire, and engage with the widest possible audience.

Reasonable accommodation will be made for qualified candidates with disabilities in accordance with the ADA and the ADAAA.

Statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the job.