Curator of Photography and Contemporary Art

This content is exclusive for CfC members.

Please or register to see all our content.

Position: Curator of Photography and Contemporary Art
Organisation: Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Location: Santa Barbara, California, US
Contract: Full-time, exempt position
Salary: $95,000–$115,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Working arrangement: On-site; non-remote
Reports to: Chief Curator
Application deadline: Not specified

About the role

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art seeks an internationally recognized curator with expertise in 20th- and 21st-century art and a particular focus on photography. The museum’s 8,000 photographs form a significant part of its collection of 26,000 artworks.

The incoming curator will join the museum at a pivotal moment, marked by a renewed focus on community outreach, significant exhibitions, and increasing its national and regional visibility. The position offers an opportunity to build a programme and help shape the institution during a period of growth and change.

Responsibilities

The Curator of Photography and Contemporary Art will:

Develop an annual programme of loan and permanent collection exhibitions
Produce publications and contribute to public speaking engagements
Devise creative projects drawing on the museum’s permanent collection
Build relationships with collectors and supporters to benefit the museum
Regularly acquire artworks for the collection
Manage a curatorial support group
Collaborate with artists, collectors, community members, curators, and nonprofit organisations
Support fundraising efforts involving individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors
Manage multiple projects, budgets, and deadlines simultaneously

Candidate profile

The successful candidate will have comprehensive knowledge of 20th- and 21st-century art, with an area of concentration in photography. Knowledge of other areas represented strongly in the museum’s collection, including 19th-century and Latin American art, is also welcomed.

Candidates should have an active curatorial profile demonstrated through exhibitions, publications, and public speaking, alongside a record of successful collaboration within and beyond their previous institutions.

They should demonstrate:

Superior written and verbal communication skills
Excellent knowledge of art and art history
A collegial and collaborative approach
A strong record of exhibitions, acquisitions, and publications
The ability to manage budgets and consistently meet deadlines
Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously
Enthusiasm for artists and art, supported by deep knowledge of the field and a well-developed professional network

Qualifications and experience

MA in Art History or a related field
Five to ten years of full-time curatorial experience within a museum, commercial gallery, or equivalent setting
Three to five years of experience overseeing and leading projects, exhibitions, and/or staff

Benefits and additional requirements

The position includes three weeks of annual leave, eight days of paid sick leave, 13 paid holidays—or 14 during federal election years—and medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Pretax savings options are available, alongside 403(b) eligibility with a 100% match on contributions of up to 5% of earnings after one year of service.

The position is subject to a successful background check. The successful candidate must have appropriate identification and be able to travel reliably to public and private off-site locations locally, domestically, and internationally.