Associate Curator or Curator

The San Jose Museum of Art (SJMA) seeks a creative, self-motivated, intellectually curious individual to join the curatorial team as a Curator/Associate Curator. SJMA believes in the power of radical imagination and the role art can play in bringing communities together. Our program reflects the diverse cultures and innovative spirit of Silicon Valley, connecting the present and the past, the art of the West Coast and the world.

Reporting to the Senior Curator, the Curator/Associate Curator is a key member of a small team who works closely alongside colleagues across departments in SJMA’s dynamic and collaborative environment. In addition to generating original exhibitions (spanning group, thematic, and solo formats), programs and publications, the Curator/Associate Curator will envision projects that embrace different formats, platforms, perspectives, and disciplines that expand traditional museum-going experiences, and invite new audiences. They will have a passion for permanent collections, and collaboratively strategize focused acquisitions. The successful candidate is a generous colleague and a good communicator. They have a passion for creative curatorial projects that align SJMA’s focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, that are thought-provoking and accessible to broad audiences.

The Curator/Associate Curator manages all aspects of curatorial project development including but not limited to exhibition research, writing, exhibition checklists, loan requests, publications, budgets, and administrative duties. They will work closely with the Curatorial team on acquisitions and stewardship of the growing permanent collection. The Associate Curator / Curator represents SJMA within the wider community and contributes to SJMA’s Development, Marketing & Communications, Education, and Curatorial projects/events as determined by the Curatorial Department.

Duties and Responsibilities, include but are not limited to:

• Provide SJMA with curatorial expertise within a collaborative and mission-focused environment that prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Actively engage in original research and development of curatorial projects that are not limited to but include a focus on new media, emergent artistic and cultural practices, bring to light overlooked artists and ideas, and explore issues that contextualize and resonate with our time.
• Produce essays, exhibition checklists, develop audience-facing didactics, gallery tours, correspondence, manage publications, and other interpretive materials. Work collaboratively across teams, including working closely with Development on grant narratives and funding strategies; contributing to programming in tandem with Education; and working with Marketing on outreach initiatives including press releases, SJMA’s online presence, and social media.
• Contribute to the Equity Task Force, a staff-led group focused on ensuring inclusion, diversity, equity, and access are centered in everything we do.
• Manage workflow and maintain aspects of their developed exhibitions and any related programs and publications. Duties include coordination of budgeting with Senior Curator, maintenance of timelines, liaise with outside vendors and suppliers, and miscellaneous administrative responsibilities. Communicate across departments as exhibitions develop to maintain flow of communication and resource sharing.
• Act as curator in charge of traveling exhibitions, handling all aspects related to this function.
• Work collaboratively with curatorial team on strategic acquisitions for growing permanent collection. Actively contribute to collection strategies and stewardship discussions.
• Donor cultivation and participation in fundraising with development department
• Represent SJMA within the Museum and the art community; attend SJMA Development and Curatorial events and attend outside art openings, programs, conferences, lectures, and meetings. Actively visit graduate departments, galleries, and nonprofit arts organizations. Participate in local and global art communities, and present new ideas from the field to the curatorial team.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate Curator

• A passion for SJMA’s mission and belief in art as a powerful engine for positive social change. A passion for supporting underrepresented artists and emerging ideas in contemporary culture.
• A passion for and knowledge of new and expanding media art practices relevant to Silicon Valley audiences.
• Art-related experience in a gallery, presenting organization, or museum setting is essential. Experience conducting original research to develop curatorial projects spanning group, thematic, and solo formats.
• Experience working with artists on exhibitions, commissions, and installations.
• Excellent communication, writing, public speaking, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be a learner, open to feedback, collaborative, and interested in contributing to a strong and inclusive work culture
• Must possess exceptional organizational skills, be detailed oriented and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Must be community-minded, and open to engaging with San Jose communities
• Knowledge of collection management and current museum practices.

Curator

• All qualifications above and a track record of realizing a variety of curatorial projects, as well as writing, editing, and producing publications.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor’s Degree is required, Master’s Degree in Fine Arts, museum studies, cultural studies, art history or related field is preferred, or 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience for Associate Curator, 5-7 years’ experience for Curator. Position title will be relative to experience.

Special Requirements

• SJMA is currently operating on a hybrid in person / remote work model, which is evolving based on COVID-19 conditions.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours as required.