Curator

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Los Angeles Administrative Offices – Los Angeles, CA
Full Time
$65,500.00 – $94,300.00 Salary/year

The Curatorial team at the Lucas Museum is tasked with overseeing the collection and its strategic growth, development, presentation and interpretation as well as related exhibitions and programs. Curators support and collaborate with the Museum leadership in developing and implementing a cohesive vision and strategy for the collections and exhibitions of the Museum. To achieve a balanced schedule of monographic, thematic, and traveling exhibitions, Curators will work cross-departmentally to propose large and small-scale exhibitions, collaborate with other departments to implement and communicate all aspects relating to these projects.

Specific to this call for applications, we highly encourage scholars with experience in African American, African-diasporic, Asian-American, Asian-diasporic, Native American, and Indigenous Art to apply.

In coordination with museum colleagues, Curators will research and write scholarly publications and texts; assist with the development and growth of the permanent collection, including acquisitions across many media and cultures; consult on related marketing initiatives; and represent the Museum by delivering lectures, participating in symposia, and in other ways that further the Museum’s mission. Curators will be responsible for developing the first draft of texts for publication, didactic and interpretative materials, and public-facing programs – working collaboratively across departments to edit and finalize these materials.

All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidate’s education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidates.

Core competencies for this role

Working with people– Demonstrates an interest in and understanding of others; adapts to the team and builds team spirit; recognizes and rewards the contribution of others; listens, consults others, and communicates proactively; supports and cares for others; develops and openly communicates self-insight
Adhering to Principles & Values– Upholds ethics and values; demonstrates integrity; promotes and defends equal opportunities, builds diverse teams; encourages organizational and individual responsibility towards the organization and community we serve;
Presenting & Communicating Information– Speaks clearly and fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of argument clearly; makes presentations and undertakes public speaking with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback; projects credibility;
Writing & Reporting – Writes clearly, succinctly and correctly; writes convincingly in an engaging and expressive manner; avoids the unnecessary use of jargon or complicated language; writes in a well-structured and logical way; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience;
Applying Expertise & Technology– Applies specialist and detailed curatorial expertise; develops job knowledge and expertise through continual professional development; shares expertise and knowledge with others; uses technology to achieve work objectives; demonstrates an understanding of different organizational departments and functions;
Planning and Organizing– Sets clearly defined objectives; plans activities and projects well in advance and take account of possible changing circumstances; manages time effectively; identifies and organizes resources needed to accomplish tasks; monitors performance against deadlines and milestones;
Adapting & Responding to Change– Adapts to changing circumstance; accepts new ideas and change initiatives; adapts interpersonal style to suit different people and situations; shows respect and sensitivity towards differences; deals with ambiguity, making positive use of the opportunities it presents.

Qualifications

Education / Experience:

Education from an accredited college or university with a degree in one of the following: Art History, History, Museum Studies, or a closely related field is required. The following Education and Experience minimum requirements are used to determine seniority, title, and level:
- Senior Curator (PhD and 10 years of direct experience OR MA and 15 years of direct experience. Experience managing teams of people and budgets also required)
- Curator (PhD and 5 years of direct experience or MA and 10 years of direct experience)
- Associate Curator (MA and 5 years of direct experience)
- Assistant Curator (MA and 3 years of direct experience)
A track record of object-focused scholarly and curatorial accomplishments through publications, lectures, or exhibitions;
Mentoring and supervising experience preferred;
Proven experience working in a start-up or entrepreneurial environment with the ability to roll up one’s sleeves to accomplish initiatives and achieve goals;

Skills:

Research skills sufficient to gather information about works of art or other materials;
Outstanding written and oral communication skills that demonstrate scholarly ability as well as a commitment to public engagement;
Strong budget, exhibitions, programs, and strategic planning experience and demonstrated skills in those areas;

Knowledge

Fluency in at least one other language (beyond English) pertinent to the areas of specialty and scholarship if applicable;
Deep passion, alignment, and commitment to the Museum’s mission to deliver the finest programs, ignite the mind and provide inspiration while being accessible to a public that ranges from scholars to industry leaders, from members of the art community to film fans young and old;
Academic foundation and clearly demonstrated research capabilities, with a sophisticated understanding of curatorial practices, museum standards, and an innate intellectual curiosity;

Abilities

Collaborative team player with proven ability to build relationships and work effectively and positively with Museum leadership and staff, a diverse set of external partners, and the general public;
Comfort with ambiguity, an ability to envision the new and different, and a commitment to developing and working with diverse audiences;
Ability to follow professional museum standards, collection care principles, and museum policies
Ability to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders, including Museum colleagues, industry experts, and other external partners;
Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, creative, collaborative, and nimble environment.