Curatorial Assistant
Position Description:
Curatorial Assistant
Salary Range: $50,000 – 75,000
About the ICA San Francisco:
The Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco (ICA SF) is a non-collecting contemporary art museum, civic social space, and center for artistic experimentation, boundary pushing, and change-making in the San Francisco Bay Area. Admission is Free.
The ability to take risks, respond to the critical issues happening locally and globally, and evolve in order to remain relevant to the surrounding community is part of the museum’s founding DNA. There is a critical need for arts institutions committed to supporting the vision of diverse artists’ voices and engaging and educating the broadest possible cross section of audiences about the power of Contemporary Art. Offering artists at various stages of their career their first institutional show, or their first major institutional project on the West Coast, the ICA will provide a platform for changing the nature of the artistic canon and will foster visibility and critical examination for artists that reflect the diverse population of San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. The ICA is committed to being a collaborative force for the success of the Bay Area arts ecosystem and offering engagement with critically significant contemporary art practice for free.
About the Position:
The Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco is looking to hire a Curatorial Assistant. Reporting to the Hornik Family Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs, this position will be integral in supporting the ICA SF in preparing for upcoming exhibitions. The Curatorial Assistant will be responsible not only for daily administrative exhibition-related tasks, but also for keeping a finger on the pulse of the ever changing Contemporary Art world. The ideal candidate will be an energetic, technically-savvy team player who is eager to learn and deeply passionate about bolstering global emerging and mid-career artists.
Responsibilities:
● Fulfill basic curatorial functions for upcoming exhibitions and exhibitions catalogues, including but not limited to research, writing, fact checking, corresponding with various experts, image copyright, etc.
● Support installation design and implementation, as well as generating exhibition copy
● Correspond skillfully and professionally in writing and in public with the ICA SF community, relevant donors, and academic experts
● Complete other administrative tasks as related to exhibition preparation and generally support the Hornik Family Curator and Director of Curatorial Affairs
● Speak up and look for opportunities to integrate DEAI initiatives into the ICA SF curatorial practice and community
● Other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Skills:
● Bachelor’s Degree preferred and a minimum of two years of relevant work experience
● Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher), Adobe Suite, and Google Drive; eagerness to integrate technology into ICA SF processes
● Exceptional organizational skills, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy
● Strong professional writing skills and public speaking skills
● Agility, positivity, and effusive energy in the face of change within a growing organization
● Deep passion for engaging the Bay Area community in Contemporary Art
Job Specifications
The ICA SF is currently operating on a hybrid in person/ remote work model, which is evolving based on COVID-19 conditions and the ongoing construction of our office space. At the moment, this candidate should be available to work in person a minimum of two days per week at our temporary offices in San Francisco. This role may require work outside of normal business hours, as well as occasional weekends to accommodate events and exhibitions.
Compensation and Benefits
One of the founding principles of the ICA SF is picking individuals over institutions. We are committed to prioritizing our staff’s well being and hiring applicants from non-traditional backgrounds. To that end, the ICA SF is committed to salary equity and compensating competitively for this position. Employment benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid company holidays, and a generous unlimited vacation and sick day policy.
The Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to addressing the pipeline crisis that has historically limited diversity in fine arts institutions. We believe that we can best serve our community by hiring a staff that reflects the intersectional, diverse, global reality of our audiences. All applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
How to Apply
Interested applicants may email the following in a single PDF to andie@icasanfrancisco.org:
● Cover Letter
● Resume
Please use the subject line “CURATORIAL ASSISTANT_LAST NAME”.
The deadline to apply is October 1, 2021. Only applicants being considered will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in the ICA SF.
