The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco is seeking a Curatorial Assistant, American Art for a fixed-term position of approximately 6 months.

Under the supervision of the Curator-in-Charge, American Art, the Curatorial Assistant provides support to the curatorial staff in the day-to-day operation of the American Art Department and the American Art Study Center.  They assist in administrative tasks generated by the collection, its oversight, installation, conservation, photography, publication, etc.; writing labels and other interpretive materials; interfacing with the general public; and, depending on experience, participation in temporary exhibition planning, research, and implementation.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Participates in the day-to-day administrative operations of the department, including in-house actions required for the permanent collection’s maintenance and exhibition; correspondence pertaining to in-coming and out-going loans; inquiries from other institutions, the press, and public, following institutional and departmental protocol and procedures.
2. Assists with correspondence with scholars and facilitates research visits to the American Art Study Center by colleagues from the broader museum/academic community. Assists with permanent collection and loan exhibition tours for visitors.
3. Works with the Registration Department to ensure proper documentation of the collection, including acquisitions, deaccessioning, research, and logistics.
4. Assists with maintenance of departmental files.
5. Assists with monitoring activities on the art market, the auction houses, and private dealers.
6. Participates in the preparation of exhibition research, loans and related educational materials.
7. Generates and tracks work / technician / conservation / publications/ photo requests and purchase orders required to engage the assistance of other Museum departments.
8. Preparation of digital presentations, vetting American art books to be ordered, and directed research projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in art history required and a knowledge of American art preferred.

Work Experience:  1-2 years of curatorial experience or other relevant museum experience.

Skills and Abilities:

• Good general knowledge of American art, history, and culture.
• Responsive to supervision and flexible in meeting shifting priorities.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with others.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Familiarity with both traditional and contemporary methods of art history research.
• Ability to conduct directed and independent research.
• Ability to multi task in a fast paced work environment with strong follow through
• Exceptional energy, initiative and productivity.
• Ability of achieve and sustain best curatorial practices.
• Strong communication and computer skills, strong customer service orientation.
• Strong arts / aesthetic background and interests.
• Familiarity with standard museum operations and practices is essential.

This is a fixed-term position for approximately 6 months, beginning mid to late February and will be eligible for our benefits package.

Application Deadline: Open until filled

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco are the city’s largest public arts institutions and comprise the de Young and the Legion of Honor museums. The de Young, designed by Herzog & de Meuron and located in Golden Gate Park, showcases American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific, and Africa. The Legion of Honor displays a collection of over 4,000 years of ancient and European art including Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker and houses the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts in a Beaux-Arts style building overlooking Lincoln Park and the Golden Gate Bridge.

COFAM is the Corporation of Fine Arts Museums and is the privately funded non-profit corporation which supports the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, a department of the City and County of San Francisco.

COFAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all phases of employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws.