Curatorial & Research Associate

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Required Qualifications

Job Opening ID: 32380
Reports To: Assistant Curator
Working Title: Curatorial & Research Associate
Department: Museums
Bargaining Unit: RX
FLSA: Exempt
Payroll Job Code: 009722
Job Location: UCI Campus- Irvine
Percent of Time: 100%
Work Schedule: 8-5, M-F
Employee Class: Career

Position Summary:

With the acquisition of two important collections of California Art, The Irvine Museum Collection and The Buck Collection, the University of California, Irvine founded the UCI Institute and Museum of California Art (IMCA) in 2017, with plans to construct a new museum facility on campus within the next few years. The museum serves as an epicenter for California Art and artists and engages diverse publics through innovative exhibitions and programs. Its research institute supports collection research and advances interdisciplinary scholarship and learning opportunities for UCI students, faculty and visiting scholars and others. Through a robust offering of exhibitions and publications, research initiatives, seminars and conferences, lectures and artist talks, gallery tours, and educational outreach, IMCA strives to expand the understanding of California’s artistic past and present, its distinctive social and cultural framework, and its contribution to both shaping and challenging the art historical canon. A key component of the Chancellor’s Arts and Culture Initiative, IMCA is a start-up with limited, though growing, personnel and financial resources situated within a large, established and celebrated research institution that is part of the University of California public system.

The Curatorial and Research Associate is primarily responsible for conducting art-related research and preparing written content to support IMCA’s exhibitions and public programs, especially with respect to the museum’s permanent collection. The Curatorial Associate works closely with curatorial, education, registration, exhibition, visitor services, development, and marketing staff to contextualize this research for use in the museum’s exhibition galleries, on its website and in fundraising and marketing materials. In so doing, the Associate helps to re-position IMCA’s collection for a broader audience and integrate the collection with both the teaching mission of the museum and with contemporary efforts to refine and expand the definition of California art. In addition and on occasion, the Associate collaborates with the curatorial team and IMCA leadership to curate exhibitions that highlight the academic interpretation of artworks in the IMCA collection and those on loan to the museum. The Curatorial and Research Associate reports to the Assistant Curator and serves as the main point of contact for research related to IMCA’s collection, facilitating access for teaching, research and public interest.

Compensation Range:

$5,515.41 – $6,087.49

Required:

Bachelor’s degree in art history, fine arts, museum studies or a related field.
Strong analytical skills, with the ability and methodology to maintain relevant findings. Bachelor’s degree in art history, fine arts, museum studies or a related field. Knowledge of museum standards for collections security and management. Broad knowledge of art history, including American art, Modern art, and Contemporary art, and associated terminology. Exceptional writing, communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively address a range of audiences that include students, scholars, art critics, artists, museum and university professionals, donors and the general public.
Office Suite and social media tools. Ability to exercise sound judgement in making critical decisions. At least two years of experience in a research or curatorial support role. Experience and facility with collections management software (ideally, EmbARK), as well as Microsoft Exceptional research skills.
Strong command of research protocols and procedures, with a track record of ensuring that research is undertaken according to best practice. Familiarity with art conservation techniques and practices.

Preferred:

Advanced degree strongly preferred.
Advanced degree strongly preferred. Background in higher education teaching and/or research coordination strongly preferred.

Conditions of Employment:

The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
Background Check and Live Scan
Legal Right to work in the United States
Vaccination Policies
Smoking and Tobacco Policy
Drug Free Environment
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.
California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
E-Verify
Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page – https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php

Closing Statement:

The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.