Curatorial Assistant, Painting & Sculpture

SFMOMA•San Francisco, CA

6d•$32 - $38•Hybrid

About The Position

The Curatorial Assistant supports the Painting and Sculpture Department’s work on the permanent collection, Fisher Collection as assigned, temporary exhibitions, accessions, and administrative projects. Reporting to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Curator of Painting and Sculpture, the role assists department curators with research, documentation, development, presentation, and interpretation of collections and exhibitions. The position also supports department communications and events and builds and maintains relationships with the local, national, and international art community, including artists, collectors, dealers, donors, and museum staff. This is a full-time, 35-hour-per-week position based in San Francisco. At least three working days per week are onsite. The role is a union position subject to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Art History or a related field, with an emphasis in modern and/or contemporary art.
At least two years of related experience.
Knowledge of and interest in modern and contemporary art history and terminology.
Excellent writing, communication, and organizational skills, with 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.
Ability to organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments with minimal direction.
Knowledge of standard office practices, letter writing, bookkeeping, filing, scheduling, database management, Microsoft Office, Zoom, faxing, email, answering telephones, and operating 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 in person, by telephone, and in writing.
Ability to visually inspect work.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with collection, digital asset, donor, and contact management programs.
Familiarity with basic audiovisual equipment, including video projectors, digital audio recording devices, and photo and video cameras.
Familiarity with image and video editing software applications.
Additional language skills are an asset.

Responsibilities

Support collection and exhibition research, including compiling biographies, chronologies, and exhibition histories and documenting works in the collections management system.
Assist in drafting and producing correspondence, loan forms, manuscripts, exhibition wall labels, and other materials related to the permanent collection, Fisher Collection, special exhibitions, and accessions; review materials for completeness, accuracy, format, policy compliance, and proper English usage.
Create artist and object records and maintain checklists for temporary exhibitions and permanent collection installations.
Support preparation, coordination, and implementation of Painting and Sculpture Accessions Committee meetings and other events and programs, including guest lists, facilities, equipment, arrangements, guest reception, acquisition research, written defenses, and presentations.
Draft communications from the Painting and Sculpture Department in support of its activities and events.
Compile and deliver data on department exhibitions and acquisitions for the museum-wide annual DEI Dashboard.
Facilitate communication with other museum departments, including Education and Community Engagement, Exhibitions, Registration, Installation, Conservation, Publications, Design, and Development.
Communicate externally with artists, collectors, lenders, dealers, scholars, and staff members from other museums.
Support lectures and presentations by preparing research and PowerPoint slides.
Maintain accurate meeting records, including preparing agendas and PowerPoint slides and taking minutes as requested.
Oversee the department email and inbox, responding to messages when appropriate.
Maintain, update, and archive departmental physical and electronic files.
Assist with travel budgets and arrangements, including hotel reservations and transportation for curatorial staff, visiting artists, and speakers as needed.
Act as a spokesperson for the department and museum as needed, including greeting guests and occasionally providing gallery tours.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Accompany artists off site for research as needed.