Curatorial Assistant

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Curatorial Assistant, Asian American Art Initiative, Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University

Application deadline: Not specified

The Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University seeks a Curatorial Assistant to support the Asian American Art Initiative (AAAI), a research-driven program dedicated to advancing the study, presentation, and collection of Asian American art. Reporting to the Robert M. and Ruth L. Halperin Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Co-Director of the AAAI, the Curatorial Assistant will contribute to exhibitions, publications, acquisitions, and public programs while providing essential administrative and logistical support.

The Curatorial Assistant position is designed as a dynamic entry point into the field. This role offers intensive, hands-on professional development in curatorial practice. The role is intentionally structured to serve as a launching pad, equipping an early-career professional with the robust experience needed to transition into competitive roles across the wider museum and gallery ecosystem. Success in this role requires a dedicated interest in modern and contemporary art, particularly Asian American art, along with excellent research, writing, communication, and organizational capabilities.

The Curatorial Assistant key responsibilities include conducting scholarly research, coordinating communications with artists, lenders, and partners; assisting with exhibition planning and installation; and supporting collection development. In addition, this role will manage calendars and scheduling, coordinate travel arrangements, process reimbursements and track expenses, and support general project management and day-to-day administrative operations. The role involves liaising across departments at the Cantor and Stanford, as well as supporting the Initiative’s expanding national and international collaborations.

In this role, you will:

Assist curators with the research, development and implementation of changing exhibitions and collection rotations.
Assist with research, writing and oversight of design and production of various publications.
Assist with development of educational programming and oversee implementation, presentation of lectures, symposia, and films.
Assist with cataloging collections, prepare registration materials, and assist in planning rotations in galleries.
Manage calendars and scheduling for curatorial staff, including coordinating meetings with artists, collaborators, and institutional partners.
Coordinate domestic and international travel arrangements, including itineraries and logistics.
Process reimbursements, honoraria, and invoices; track and reconcile project expenses.
Maintain organized records for curatorial projects, including correspondence, contacts, and financial documentation.
Provide day-to-day administrative support across AAAI projects.
Answer routine correspondence and respond to public and scholarly inquiries.
May oversee student interns and assist in the training of docents.

Please note that this position will be based on the Stanford campus and will be considered a hybrid role with a minimum of 3 days per week on campus. This position will work extended or non-standard hours, weekends and holidays based on business needs.

In order to be successful, you will bring:

Bachelor’s degree and minimum one year of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering and supporting an inclusive environment.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with professionalism in working across all levels of an organization.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with database systems.
Flexible, detail-oriented, and willing to take on a range of administrative and project-based tasks as needed.
Demonstrated interest in the visual arts; familiarity with modern and contemporary art, and Asian American art, preferred
Eagerness to learn and engage thoughtfully in an academic museum context.

The expected pay range for this position is $30.39 – $38.94 per hour. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs. At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.

Please visit the link below for more details about this opportunity.

Image credit: ‘East of the Pacific: Making Histories of Asian American Art’, 2022, installation view.
Courtesy: Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University; photograph: Johnna Arnold via Cantor Arts Center website