Curatorial Assistant, Painting & Sculpture

Sfmoma•San Francisco, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Curatorial Assistant contributes to the Painting and Sculpture Department’s work on the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, accessions, and assigned administrative projects. The position assists curators with research, documentation, development, presentation, and interpretation of the SFMOMA collection, the Fisher Collection as assigned, and temporary exhibitions. It also maintains communication on behalf of the department with museum staff, donors, artists, and arts professionals, and builds and maintains relationships with the local, national, and international art community. This is a full-time position scheduled for 35 hours per week, with at least three days working onsite each week. It reports to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Curator of Painting and Sculpture. The role is based at SFMOMA, 151 3rd Street, San Francisco, and 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 organization 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 in person, by telephone, and in writing with donors, artists, museum staff, colleagues, and the public.
Must be able to visually inspect work.
Must be able to accompany artists off site for research as needed.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Support collection and exhibition research, including compiling biographies, chronologies, and exhibition histories, and documenting individual 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 finished materials for completeness, accuracy, format, compliance with museum and departmental policies and procedures, 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 greetings, acquisition research, written defenses, and presentations.
Draft departmental communications in support of activities and events.
Compile and deliver data on department exhibitions and acquisitions for the museum-wide annual DEI Dashboard.
Facilitate interdepartmental communication with Education and Community Engagement, Exhibitions, Registration, Installation, Conservation, Publications, Design, and Development.
Facilitate external communication with artists, collectors, lenders, dealers, scholars, and staff from other museums.
Support lectures and presentations, including preparing research and PowerPoint slides.
Maintain accurate meeting records, prepare agendas and PowerPoint slides, and take minutes as requested.
Oversee the department email and inbox, responding to emails 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.