Curatorial Research Specialist

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art • Los Angeles, CA

2h • $67,000 - $75,000

About The Position

The Curatorial Research Specialist is a member of the Lucas Museum curatorial team tasked with providing in-depth research and organizational support for collections and exhibition development. This position plays a key role in object research, and related historic analysis and cataloguing of the Lucas Museum collections, as well as assisting with specific project-based curatorial initiatives, including the museum’s exhibition and acquisition programs.
The Curatorial Research Specialist, under the direction of the Lucas Museum Curatorial department, will work independently and collaboratively with Museum staff in the essential activities of a curatorial department. The Curatorial Research Specialist will combine advanced research skills and methodologies with a strong background in writing to write research-based texts on works in the collection that may serve a variety of content purposes, such as object files, materials for the Revenue & Engagement division, publications, and forms of gallery interpretation. This role will catalogue all findings utilizing The Museum System (TMS), and will also provide additional departmental administrative support, including the completion of forms, documents, and project budgets.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in history, art history, media studies, cinema studies, or related field required; Ph.D. preferred
• Minimum of three (3) years of cumulative experience in a museum or other arts institution context required
• Exceptional research skills including archival and digital research methods and tools
• Proficiency in the use of computers and Microsoft Office software
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, and sound judgment
• Proven skill in managing databases and records
• Broad knowledge of art history spanning the pre-modern era through nineteenth-century visual culture, 20th-century popular culture, and modern and contemporary art preferred
• Familiarity with best practices in provenance research preferred
• Knowledge of The Museum System (TMS), including data entry in TMS to create constituent records, object records, and capture rights information
• Reading knowledge of two or more languages required
• Knowledge of basic museum processes and procedures
• Deep passion, alignment, and commitment to the Lucas Museum’s mission
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to understand and follow complex, detailed instructions
• Research ability sufficient to gather information about works of art or other materials
• Ability to follow professional museum standards, collection care principles, and museum policies
• Collaborative team player with proven ability to build relationships and work effectively and positively with Museum leadership and staff, a diverse set of external partners, and the general public
• Ability to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders, including Museum colleagues, industry experts, and other external partners
• Comfort with ambiguity, and an ability to envision the new and different, and a commitment to developing and working with diverse audiences
• Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, creative, collaborative, and nimble environment

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. preferred
• Broad knowledge of art history spanning the pre-modern era through nineteenth-century visual culture, 20th-century popular culture, and modern and contemporary art preferred
• Familiarity with best practices in provenance research preferred

Responsibilities

• Conducts research for exhibitions, curatorial projects, and publications related to Museum collections
• Exercises judgement and independent discretion while conducting online and in-person archival research with local, national, and international repositories to provide a recommendation to the Curatorial Department
• Uses expertise in art history or related field to perform object research on culture and style, place, object use and context, materials, provenance to provide a recommendation to the Curatorial Department that will influence decision making for exhibitions and potential acquisitions
• Conduct related research to expand artist and object information for research files, including compiling maker biographical information, gathering artwork tombstone details, and developing records regarding date and place of publication (if known)
• Interface with The Museum System (TMS) database to enter compiled research in accordance with standards and guidelines
• Serves as a liaison between the Museum and archivists, advisors, scholars, curators, artists, and artists’ designated representatives regarding research on artists’ careers and practices, as well as specific works of art
• Drafts research-based texts on works in the collection as well as loans that may serve a variety of content purposes, such as object files, the Museum’s website, materials for the Revenue & Engagement division, publications, and forms of gallery interpretation
• Builds and organizes research files to support recommendations for the Curatorial Department
• Contributes in team meetings, as well as multiple working sessions with project advisory committees and inter-departmental Museum working groups based on expertise
• Manages, tracks, and contributes to exhibition development, including exhibition and loan checklists; provides logistical and administrative support for exhibitions
• Contributes to and supports catalogue research and development
• Contributes to and supports Curatorial department planning and initiatives, as assigned
• Works with technical teams at the Museum to realize required Curatorial aspects of the museum’s inaugural planning
• May work with specialized consultants and outside scholars on collections related initiatives
• May require some travel as necessary for specific exhibition, project, and collections research
• Special projects and other duties as assigned

Benefits

• An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level