Curatorial Assistant (FIXED TERM)

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The University of Southern California Libraries seeks a full-time Curatorial Assistant (FIXED TERM) to support the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries. Working closely with the Curator, the Curatorial Assistant will help research, plan, and produce exhibitions and public programs while providing day-to-day curatorial and administrative support. The position serves as a liaison with artists, scholars, donors, and colleagues across the Libraries and University in support of exhibitions, public programs, and collections management. The Curatorial Assistant will provide research, organizational, and logistical support for the planning and implementation of exhibitions, including scholarly research; preparation of exhibition checklists; coordination of loan requests; management of rights and permissions; transcription projects; exhibition catalogs; interpretive materials; related public programs; and other exhibition-related materials. The position will also assist the Curator with responding to research and donor inquiries, drafting communications and publicity materials, supporting social media outreach, and cataloging works of art in the Archives' new collections database. The Curatorial Assistant will contribute to both permanent collection exhibitions and larger loan exhibitions, including projects accompanied by scholarly publications. The successful candidate will possess excellent research, organizational, and project management skills, with exceptional attention to detail. They should be able to work both independently and collaboratively, communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, and manage multiple projects simultaneously. A background in art history or a related field and experience working in museums, archives, or other cultural heritage organizations are preferred. The Curatorial Assistant is a full-time, 20 month fixed-term staff position.

Requirements

• Minimum Education: High School or equivalent
• Minimum Experience: 1 year
• Minimum Field of Expertise: Knowledge of data collection procedures and some experience with proposal preparation and production of documents for publication
• Experience supporting collections curators and archivists.
• Experience with collections databases.
• Demonstrable specialized knowledge pertinent to materials in collection(s) and archival equipment.
• Experience utilizing digital reproduction technologies (e.g., scanners and digital cameras for preservation, access and/or exhibition).
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and Adobe suite of applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, Photoshop, and InDesign).

Nice To Haves

• B.A. in Art history or related field
• 1 year experience
• Interest in Queer History
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and knowledge of Photoshop, Premiere and InDesign.
• Preferred Education: Master's degree

Responsibilities

• Assists with data collection through independent secondary and primary research.
• Conducts object-based and archival research and synthesizes this research for the exhibition.
• Produces written scholarship for publication and coordinates and assists in the production of an exhibition catalog including securing image rights and coordinating texts from multiple sources.
• Supervises production work performed by internal staff or interfaces with vendors to negotiate and contract for production services.
• Monitors vendor performance to ensure quality and timeliness of contracted work.
• Creates reports, correspondence, and other materials as needed.
• Assists with reports required by the grant giving institution that supports this position.
• Arranges and attends meetings, seminars, symposia and other events related to project efforts.
• Stays informed of developments in the field.
• Assists in the organization and production of grant proposals.
• Gathers documentation such as annual reports and detailed budgets for inclusion in proposals.
• Hosts national and international visiting scholars
• Assists in the creation of an exhibition checklist and coordinates exhibition loans

Benefits

• health benefits for employees and their families with access to the renowned university medical network
• eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six (6) months of employment
• tuition benefits for employees and their families
• access to professional development opportunities
• central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses, and tram pick up services at no charge to employees
• discounts to a wide variety of cultural, sporting, and other campus events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED