Assistant Curator, Permanent Collection of Photography | USA

Art transforms lives. It provokes us to think, to express, to explore our own creativity, to envision new possibilities. SFMOMA expanded the museum to provide a better experience for our visitors and a better home for our expanding collections, including the SFMOMA collection and the Fisher Collection, one of the finest collections of contemporary art in the world. The new SFMOMA, designed in collaboration with the architecture firm Snøhetta, opened May 14^th 2016. With this project, we are transforming not just the museum’s physical presence, but also our contributions to the community, enhancing SFMOMA’s role as a place for learning, inspiration, and interaction for visitors from the Bay Area and beyond. We are making SFMOMA a magnet for contemporary art and for the audiences who will engage with it.

Reporting to the Senior Curator, the Assistant Curator manages the operations of the permanent collection of photography and Study Center. The Assistant Curator plays a central role in the accessions process and coordinates accessions meetings. The Assistant Curator assists in the stewardship and presentation of the museum’s permanent collection of photography through exhibitions, web publications, research, and public presentations.

Essential Responsibilities:

Collection

• Under the supervision of the Senior Curator manage the operations of the permanent collection of photography.
• Oversee issues related to the stewardship and housing of the collection including questions related to the physical condition or safety of the works with Registration and Conservation Departments.
• Under the supervision of the Senior Curator work with Collections Information and Access (CIA) Team and Web Team to develop the visibility of the collection and the contents related to photography on the website. Write short texts for the Web.
• Serve as main point of contact for queries about collection, internal and external.
• Working with the Senior Curator, establish priorities for research, development and interpretation of the collection.
• Is responsible for maintaining and developing the information related to the works in the collections management database (Embark) and in the object files.
• Supervises the work assignments and activities of interns, contract workers and volunteers.
• Manage loan requests and represent the Department at loans committee meetings.

Collection Study Center

• Oversee Collections Study Center and assist researchers and scholars. Primary liaison to the community (both general public and scholars) regarding inquiries about the Permanent Collection. Schedules, orients, and accompanies scholars, curators, artists, and other visitors who wish to view and conduct research on permanent collection works in the Collection Study Center. Responsible for reviewing and enforcing study center policies.

Accessions

• Oversee accessions process. Work with Senior Curator and Accessions Department Coordinator to manage accessions budget, create ballot for meetings, request invoices from vendors, create layout, oversee installation for accessions meetings and ensure proper cataloguing of works. Direct accessions research, delegate where appropriate to curatorial assistant.
• Write reports for proposed acquisitions and present them to the accession committee.
• Work with the Senior Curator and Curators identify gaps in the collection, potential promised gifts and establish priorities for future acquisitions. Oversee year-end gifts.

Exhibitions

• Conceive and organize exhibitions related to the collection as assigned.
• Act as liaison with the Paul Sack Collection for rotations.
• Assist with drafting and producing correspondence, loan forms, manuscripts, exhibition wall labels, memoranda, and other materials related to the permanent collection. Maintains computer database of checklists for exhibitions.

Other Duties

• Act as spokesperson for the department and Museum as needed. Present lectures and walk-throughs to visitors, docents, or other special groups.
• Develops and maintains advantageous relationships with the community, including artists, dealers, museum colleagues, collectors, and trustees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Training:  Possession of Master’s or PhD degree with major course work in the history of photography required. Reading and/or speaking knowledge of Spanish and/or Japanese desirable.

Work Experience:  Minimum of three years related experience; experience managing an institutional collection.

Skills and Abilities: Excellent problem-solving skills, demonstrated creative thinking and dynamic team player. Knowledge of photographic history and terminology, superb oral and written communication skills essential. Excellent research skills and familiarity with collection management databases required. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Strong organizational skills a must: ability to prioritize and organize multiple activities, as well as supervise the activities of staff members around a common project. Ability to deal effectively with donors, artists, Museum staff, colleagues, and the general public, whether in person, on the telephone, or in writing.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:  Must be able to physically inspect art works.
Special Environmental Factors:  Close office setting.