Museum Curator

Pepperdine University; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 70,304 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Pepperdine University seeks a Museum Curator to lead exhibitions of the permanent collection and traveling shows, coordinating installation, materials, and loan processes. You will partner with university leadership and the marketing team to promote exhibitions and engage patrons.

The role requires a MA in museum studies or related field, strong communication, andexperience in curating exhibitions for broad audiences. Regular, exempt, 40-hour work week with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• MA in museum studies, art history, or related field.
• Commitment to Pepperdine University’s Christian mission and contribute to that mission.
• 1+ year of demonstrated excellence in conceiving and organizing successful exhibitions for wide audiences.
• Expertise in Modern/Contemporary, European, or Asian art, and knowledge of the museum’s collecting areas.
• Knowledge of museum collection care, conservation, and research tools/methods.
• Sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and strong verbal/written communication.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, well-organized, self-directed, motivated, and able to work independently or collaboratively.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Zoom, and Adobe Acrobat.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the curator for exhibitions of the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, and exhibitions organized by external sources.
• Review exhibition proposals for artistic merit, mission fit, budget, and scheduling factors.
• Execute and oversee tasks associated with grant-funded projects.
• Manage all aspects of exhibit installation, including reviewing and editing interpretive materials and communicating with artists, institutions, and collectors for loan contracts, checklists, and schedules.
• Collaborate with the Museum Director and the university marketing team to prepare and distribute promotional materials.
• Provide tours, research, and expertise for museum patrons.

Skills

Sound judgment

Emotional intelligence

Verbal/written communication

Interpersonal skills

Organized

Self-directed

Ability to lift 40 pounds

Education

MA in museum studies or art history

Tools

Marq

Salesforce Marketing Cloud

TMS

Job description

The Museum Curator provides creative vision for the exhibition of the permanent collection and traveling exhibitions at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art. Soundly committed to the University’s mission, values, and vision, the curator reports to the museum director and collaborates with the director, museum staff, and university leadership on a range of responsibilities related to the successful preparation, installation, and promotion of the museum’s permanent collection and traveling exhibitions.

Duties

• Exhibition Curation:
  • Serve as the curator for exhibitions of the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions (both original and traveling), and exhibitions organized by external sources.
  • Review exhibition proposals for artistic merit, mission fit, budget, and scheduling factors.
• Grant Management:
  • Execute and oversee tasks associated with grant‑funded projects, including, but not limited to, the Passages project funded by the Lilly Endowment.
• Exhibit Installation & Management:
  • In close collaboration with the Museum Director, manage all aspects of exhibit installation, including reviewing and editing interpretive materials and communicating with artists, institutions, and collectors for loan contracts, checklists, and schedules.
• Promotion:
  • Champion the museum as a welcoming place by serving as a positive museum representative through participation in programs with constituents.
  • Collaborate with the Museum Director and the university marketing team to prepare and distribute promotional materials.
• Patron Engagement:
  • Actively support donor cultivation initiatives by providing tours, research, and expertise for museum patrons.
  • Interact with visitors in a clear, courteous, and respectful way.
• Collection & Strategy:
  • In close collaboration with the Museum Director, maintain and implement research and collection strategies that support the university's mission, vision, and values.
  • Research and identify works for potential acquisition, provide professional recommendations, and ensure appropriate collection documentation and preservation practices are followed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• MA in museum studies, art history, or related field.
• An appreciation for and commitment to the university’s Christian mission and a desire to contribute actively to that mission.
• One or more years of demonstrated excellence in conceiving and organizing successful exhibitions for wide audiences.
• Expertise in Modern/Contemporary, European, or Asian art, and demonstrated knowledge of the museum’s collecting areas.
• Knowledge of museum collection care, conservation, and research tools/methods.
• Sound judgment, emotional intelligence, and strong verbal/written communication.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, well-organized, self‑directed, motivated, and able to work independently or collaboratively.
• Effective management of complex issues, flexible, and adaptable.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Zoom, and Adobe Acrobat.

Preferred:

• Three or more years of demonstrated exhibition curatorial experience, including demonstrated involvement in budget tracking, grant‑funded projects, and patron engagement.
• Knowledge of accessibility guidelines and best practices.
• Proficiency with Marq, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, and TMS.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $70,304 - $75,000 per year

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and reserves the right to seek, hire, and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co‑religionists who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job‑related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Individuals will be required to disclose any criminal convictions on a designated form after receiving a conditional offer of employment; failure to disclose accurate information may result in withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.