Curatorial Associate

Published on 17 July 2024

Department: Curatorial
Reports to: Senior Curator
Status: Full-time, in person
Salary: $57,500 – $67,500 annually
Benefits: Healthcare (including vision and dental), vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays, following a probation period

Overview

The Curatorial Associate provides administrative, research, and production support to the Senior Curator and occasionally the Executive Director. This role includes all elements of exhibition planning, development, and execution. Responsibilities involve coordinating exhibition-related correspondence, artist site visits, and artwork production, as well as drafting and managing exhibition proposals, budgets, checklists, loan requests, and exhibition didactics. The position also supports museum publications, develops and participates in exhibition programs, and drafts fundraising and communications materials. This is a full-time, in-person role.

Primary Responsibilities

• Coordinate exhibition-related meetings and correspondence.
• Maintain artist and project research files.
• Contribute scholarly research to exhibitions and curatorial projects, including drafting and editing didactics, guides, publications, fundraising materials, press releases, social media posts, and newsletters.
• Organize Project Room exhibitions with support from the Senior Curator.
• Manage budgets for exhibitions and curatorial projects.
• Develop and organize tasks with the Senior Curator, Registrar, and Exhibitions Manager for exhibitions and projects.
• Liaise with exhibiting artists, lenders, and museum supporters.
• Manage workflow with external collaborators, vendors, and contractors.
• Coordinate travel for ICA LA guests and artists.
• Support all aspects of exhibition publications, focusing on research and content development.
• Coordinate exhibition documentation and maintain the institution’s physical and digital archives.
• Give tours of ICA LA exhibitions and participate in exhibition-related public programs.
• Maintain knowledge of contemporary art through ongoing research, writing, and artist studio visits.

Additional Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with ICA LA staff.
• Supervise seasonal curatorial interns.
• Manage the review of artist submissions and exhibition proposals.
• Assist the Advancement Department in developing materials for grants and funding opportunities.
• Assist the Communications Department in promoting exhibitions and projects.
• Attend and assist in fundraising and museum-wide events as needed.

Desired Qualifications

• Interest in global contemporary art and visual culture, especially Los Angeles artists.
• BA in Art History, Art, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies, or equivalent degree; three to five years of museum or research experience required.
• Excellent writing, research, and communication skills; editing or proofreading experience is a plus.
• Initiative, attention to detail, multitasking ability, and independent work skills required.
• Experience with artists and exhibition management is highly desired.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite required.
• Fluency in Spanish or another language is desired but not required.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

EEO Statement

ICA LA is an equal opportunity employer, providing consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

About ICA LA

The Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA) is an epicenter of artistic experimentation and incubator of new ideas. Founded in 1988 as the Santa Monica Museum of Art and reestablished in 2017 with a new identity and home in Downtown Los Angeles, ICA LA builds upon a history of bold curatorial vision and innovative programming. The museum’s mission is to support art that sparks discovery and challenges perceptions, committed to upending hierarchies of race, class, gender, and culture. Admission is free.

To Apply

Send a cover letter, CV, at least two professional references, and writing samples to opportunities@theicala.org, including the name of the position in the subject line. No calls or unscheduled visits, please.

Photo: Jonathan Griffin