Provenance Specialist

Los Angeles County Museum Of Art (Lacma) • Los Angeles, CA

105d • $75,000 - $80,000

About The Position

Reporting to the General Counsel & Assistant Secretary, the Provenance Specialist is responsible for providing guidance and advice on best practices in connection with the research, documentation, and verification of the history of ownership of works in the museum's collection and potential acquisitions by working closely with the Registration & Collections, Curatorial, and Conservation departments. This position plays a key role in coordinating among all departments throughout the museum to help ensure ethical stewardship and compliance with national and international cultural property laws. This role may also require the undertaking of research on provenance for specific acquisitions, as necessary.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in Art History, Museum Studies, History, or a related field
• Minimum of 2 years of experience conducting provenance or archival research
• Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills
• Proficiency with museum collections management systems (e.g., TMS)
• Knowledge of external sources of provenance information, such as archives (both in the U.S. and other countries), including those that are not publicly available
• Experience improving collecting practices within museums or related organizations
• Ability to handle sensitive topics with discretion
• Established network of contacts in the field of provenance research
• A demonstrated interest in LACMA as a collecting institution committed to the highest standards of collecting practices

Responsibilities

• Coordinates with registrars, curators, and legal teams to assess risks and advise on potential acquisitions
• Investigates claims of Cultural Property working with curators, conservators, and scientists on provenance research and analysis
• Compiles, verifies, and maintains provenance records in accordance with museum standards
• Partners with the relevant departments and the director to create a provenance policy for the Museum
• Trains employees in relevant departments on provenance best practice and procedures
• Prepares reports and documentation as requested by the General Counsel
• Influences the direction of training sessions for curatorial and collections management staff on provenance best practices
• Collaborates with international and national provenance networks, researchers, and databases
• Monitors legal and ethical developments in the field of cultural heritage and advise museum leadership accordingly
• Contributes to catalogues, exhibitions, and publications as needed
• Performs other duties or special projects as assigned

Benefits

• The expected annual salary for this Los Angeles, CA based position is $75,000-$80,000, subject to change
• Eligible for LACMA’s comprehensive benefits package, including pension plan
• LACMA is committed to providing its employees with valuable and competitive benefits as a core part of a strong overall employee experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
• Education Level: Master's degree