Museum Curator

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Museum Curator at Pepperdine University

Application deadline: Not specified
Location: Malibu, California, United States
Working arrangement: On-site
Position type: Full-time, permanent
Working hours: 40 hours per week
Salary: $70,304–$75,000 per year
Minimum education: Master’s degree
Institution: Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, Pepperdine University

The Role

The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University is seeking a Museum Curator to provide creative direction for exhibitions drawn from its permanent collection and for temporary and travelling exhibitions.

Reporting to the Museum Director, the Curator will collaborate with museum staff and university leadership on the research, preparation, installation and promotion of exhibitions.

The position requires a strong commitment to Pepperdine University’s mission, values and vision.

Responsibilities

Exhibition Curation

The Museum Curator will:

Curate exhibitions drawn from the permanent collection
Develop original temporary exhibitions
Coordinate travelling exhibitions and exhibitions organised by external partners
Review exhibition proposals for artistic merit, alignment with the Museum’s mission, budget requirements and scheduling considerations

Exhibition Installation and Management

Working closely with the Museum Director, the Curator will:

Manage all aspects of exhibition installation
Review and edit interpretive materials
Communicate with artists, institutions and collectors
Coordinate loan agreements, exhibition checklists and schedules
Help ensure exhibitions are delivered successfully and according to professional museum standards

Collection Development and Research

The Curator will:

Develop and implement research and collection strategies that support the University’s mission, vision and values
Research and identify works for potential acquisition
Provide professional recommendations regarding acquisitions
Ensure that appropriate collection documentation and preservation procedures are followed
Apply knowledge of collection care, conservation and curatorial research methods

Grant Management

The Curator will execute and oversee responsibilities connected with grant-funded initiatives, including the Passages project supported by the Lilly Endowment.

This may involve coordinating project activities, monitoring progress and contributing to the effective delivery of funded programmes.

Promotion and Public Engagement

The Curator will serve as a positive representative of the Museum and promote it as an accessible and welcoming cultural space.

Responsibilities will include:

Participating in public programmes and activities
Collaborating with the Museum Director and Pepperdine University’s marketing team
Preparing and distributing promotional materials
Communicating with visitors clearly, courteously and respectfully

Patron and Donor Engagement

The Curator will support donor cultivation and patron engagement by:

Providing specialist tours
Conducting research for patrons
Sharing expertise about exhibitions and the collection
Developing positive relationships with Museum visitors and supporters

Required Qualifications

Applicants must have:

An MA in museum studies, art history or a related field
At least one year of demonstrated success in conceiving and organising exhibitions for broad audiences
Expertise in Modern and Contemporary, European or Asian art
Demonstrated knowledge of the Museum’s collecting areas
Knowledge of museum collection care, conservation and research tools
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Sound judgement and emotional intelligence
Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills
The ability to work independently and collaboratively
The ability to manage complex issues and adapt to changing circumstances
Proficiency with Google Workspace, Zoom and Adobe Acrobat
The ability to lift objects weighing up to 40 pounds
An appreciation of and commitment to Pepperdine University’s Christian mission, with a willingness to contribute actively to that mission

Applicants should also demonstrate respect for workplace differences and the ability to work effectively with people from different backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference may be given to applicants with:

At least three years of curatorial experience developing exhibitions
Experience tracking budgets
Experience delivering grant-funded projects
Experience with patron and donor engagement
Knowledge of accessibility guidelines and best practices
Proficiency with Marq, Salesforce Marketing Cloud and The Museum System (TMS)

Salary and Benefits

The expected salary range is $70,304–$75,000 per year.

The final salary will depend on factors including the selected candidate’s experience, education, training, skills and current market conditions.

Pepperdine University also offers a competitive employee benefits package.

About Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University is affiliated with the Churches of Christ and pursues its academic and employment standards within the spiritual and ethical framework of the Christian faith.

Although its students, faculty and staff represent a range of religious backgrounds, the University reserves the right, where permitted by law, to seek and employ candidates who support its institutional goals and Christian mission.

Pepperdine University is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Employment Screening

Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of criminal, educational and employment background checks.

Qualified candidates with criminal histories will be considered in accordance with applicable legislation, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

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