The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco seeks an intellectually curious, creative, and self-motivated Assistant Curator with scholarly expertise in contemporary art and a passion and commitment to furthering social justice in alignment with FAMSF’s work to foster diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Under the supervision of the Curator in Charge, the Assistant Curator supports the Department in all areas of day-to-day operations related to exhibitions, programs, acquisitions, and publications that uplift and further social justice within and through artistic and museological practice. This position reports to the Chief Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art and Curator-in-Charge of Contemporary Art and works effectively and collegially with a broad range of staff, donors, trustees, curatorial support group members, and the public. A strong educational and customer service orientation and the ability to achieve and sustain best curatorial practices are essential.

Typical Duties And Responsibilities

COLLECTIONS

Assesses, manages and updates documentation of the permanent collection in consultation with senior staff (Curator-in-Charge and Conservation). Works closely with the Registration and Library and Archives departments to ensure proper documentation of the collection in both physical and digital formats, ensuring that information in the museum’s collection database (TMS) is accurate, current, and relevant. Assists, manages, and occasionally proposes the development of new and engaging ways of displaying the permanent collection and the new acquisitions. Works with Exhibitions on the logistical implementations of gallery rotations and installations. Liaises with conservators and other staff to ensure the adequate care for and presentation of works from the contemporary collections. Collaborates with Education and Interpretation Departments to develop and present resources and programs relating to the interpretation of the collection for the public, including content for object labels, wall texts, website and publications. Participates in lectures and docent training, and assures communication and completion of institutional projects within defined budgets and timelines. Answers inquiries from the public and scholars, making the collection accessible to diverse audiences. Assigns and expedites work / technician / photo services requests as required to ensure the appropriate care and maintenance of the collection in gallery and storage areas.

EXHIBITIONS

Assists with and / or executes exhibitions and installations for presentation at the de Young and the Legion of Honor. Works closely with the Registration department to ensure proper issuing and management of loan requests, ensuring that information related to lenders and loaned works in the museum’s collection database (TMS) is accurate, current, and relevant. May participate in lectures and docent training, and assures communication and completion of institutional projects within defined budgets and timelines.

DOCUMENTATION

Works closely with the Registration department to ensure proper documentation of acquisitions in TMS. Assigns and expedites work / technician / photo services requests as required to ensure the appropriate care and maintenance of the collection in gallery and storage areas. Logs acquisitions in Asana, including submitting pre-acquisition proposals, creating constituent records, researches and drafts acquisitions statements and presentations for meetings of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, and submitting payment forms.

PUBLICATIONS

Supports the research, writing, and proofing of manuscripts for publication online and in print, ranging from individual blog posts, web essays, and articles for the Fine Arts Magazine to major collection and exhibition catalogues. For the latter, this generally includes essays, interviews, and other authored contributions to backmatter items such as artist biographies, exhibitions histories, bibliographies, exhibition checklists, indexes, authors biographies. Supports work on developing related image programs, including identifying artworks and illustrations and sourcing high res photographs, captions, and image credits.

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Builds, maintains departmental relationships with its community of artists, collectors, trustees, dealers, critics, museum’s colleagues and friends, and institutions of higher learning. Actively participates in San Francisco’s contemporary art ecosystem by doing studio visits with artists, attending openings, staying on top of current exhibitions in the Bay Area, occasionally participating in public programs hosted by institutions, galleries and fairs or lecturing at local universities. Encourages the development and cultivation of patrons and collectors. Presents lectures and docent talks, and conducts tours of the collection and temporary exhibitions for donors, trustees, and the general public as the need arises. Represents FAMSF as an ambassador at public and private functions that further the FAMSF mission and institutional objectives.

DEVELOPMENT

In keeping with Museums-wide curatorial practice, assists the fundraising and public relations efforts of the Contemporary Art Department in correspondence with the Museums and its Development department. Actively participates in meetings and programs, including fundraising programs, of the Contemporary Art Department and its Support Council.

RESEARCH

Demonstrates familiarity with, and knowledge of, the FAMSF Modern and Contemporary collections, including their contents and art historical significance. Researches and catalogues the collections and related archives; answers related inquiries from the public and scholars, making the collection accessible to diverse audiences. Assists with interpretation, drafting labels, wall texts, and graphics, and for publications.

ADMINISTRATION

Helps with the day-to-day management of the department, ensures that all tasks are performed in keeping with the museums’ standard policies and procedures, on time and within budget. In conjunction with department head and other staff, aids with activities of volunteers, interns, and cataloguing fellows, as necessary.

COURIER

Subject to the approval of the Curator in Charge, serves as FAMSF courier for loaned works of art from the collection.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Training: Master’s Degree in Art History or related field; Ph.D. in art history preferred.

Work Experience

Specialized knowledge in the field of contemporary art and a commitment to social justice.
Two years of curatorial experience in a museum or similar (such as museum curatorial fellowships)

Skills And Abilities

Intellectual curiosity and creativity
Commitment to social justice
High level of initiative and energy
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
Ability to connect and manage relationships with artists
Timeliness and strong follow through
Flexibility in meeting shifting demands and priorities. Ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects in a highly demanding and fast paced work environment
Ability to achieve cross-functional teamwork
Ability to achieve and sustain best curatorial practices
Familiarity with museum collections software (TMS) preferred
Knowledge of project management software (like Asana) preferred

Working Conditions

Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Environmental Factors: Close office setting.

Work Location: de Young Museum

Additional

Schedule: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Hybrid schedules are at a minimum 4 days a week onsite, and with the understanding that it may change based on operational needs. The workweek is Monday - Friday, 8 hours a day, 40 hours per week.

The benefits package includes medical, dental, vision and 401(k), and paid time off.

The annual salary range for this position is $75,000-$80,000. The final offer amount within this range will be based on experience and internal equity.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority will be given to applications received by May 4, 2025. We plan to launch the interview process by mid-May.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HumanResources@famsf.org .

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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. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Comprising the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, we are the largest public arts institution in the City of San Francisco and one of the largest art museums in the United States. 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.

Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

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Assistant Curator, Contemporary Art and Social Justice