Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) and The Veterans Art Project, with support from Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission, are seeking a curator for an exhibition of artwork by San Diego and Southern California based armed forces veterans and active-duty service members. This exhibition will explore art making and artistic expression as the bridge between practice and wellness in veterans’ lives.

The exhibition will take place at OMA August 13, 2022—January 15, 2023.

Preference will be given to Southern California based applicants and/or applicants with a broad knowledge of Southern California artists and experience working with the veteran community. San Diego region focus a plus.

Ideally, the exhibition will feature up to 20 individual artists and 40-60 two- and three-dimensional artworks to be determined by the curator. OMA will support the curator in creating a call for artists that will be shared with the wider veteran community, so that the curator may select artists based on portfolios of their work. Specific works may subsequently be selected through virtual or in-person studio visits and may include works-in-progress that will be completed before August 2022.

The scheduled gallery space provides 165 linear feet and 1,600 square feet. The gallery can house two- and three-dimensional works no larger than 84” in any direction, including frame, and no heavier than 200 pounds.

Curator applications will be reviewed by OMA’s Executive Director, Director of Exhibitions and Collections, Director of Education and Public Programs, and the Director of The Veterans Art Project. Selected proposals will be notified by email and provided with an exhibition contract.

Submissions deadline: December 31, 2021

Job Type: Contracted position

Contracted fee: $2500

Job location and schedule: Primarily performed remotely with regular meetings at OMA. Hours and schedule are flexible. Attendance at evening exhibition reception (Fall 2022 date TBD) is required.

Required education:  Bachelor’s Degree

Required Skills: Microsoft Office, highly developed organizational skills, and knowledge of and interest in the contemporary Southern California art scene.

Previous experience: Three (3) years in curatorial and arts related positions, and/or demonstrated understanding of contemporary curatorial practice. Military community experience preferred.

How to apply: Please send your Curriculum Vitae and a cover letter to OMA’s Director of Exhibitions and Collections Katie Dolgov, katie@oma-online.org. Please address the following questions in your cover letter:

● Why is this project of interest to you?

● Describe your experience working with the veteran community.

● What is your creative vision for how to express the identified theme in an exhibition?

About Oceanside Museum of Art

Since 1997 OMA has served as an anchor and catalyst for change in North County San Diego by serving as the premier art venue along the cultural corridor between Los Angeles, San Diego and Tijuana. OMA’s exhibitions showcase artists’ works, presenting innovative and dynamic exhibitions of significant local and regional art as well as exhibitions of national and international interest. The museums galleries are redesigned for each exhibition, surprising visitors with a fresh, exciting visual transformation for every new installation.

Oceanside Museum of Art (OMA) is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

About The Veterans Art Project

The Veterans Art Project (VETART) is a community-based arts organization serving Veterans, Active Duty, Spouses, dependents, their caregivers, and the community through process-driven, Deep Arts Engagement, D.A.E.(c) and Art Therapy. D.A.E.(c) with Art Therapy options provides a process-intensive arts encounter proven to help Veterans and Active Duty (some with post-traumatic stress, TBI, and MST) find their voice and work through the life-changing process of transitioning from military to civilian life.

About Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission

Proposition 63, approved by California voters in 2004, created the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to drive transformational change across the state’s mental health system.

The Commission oversees the implementation of the far-reaching initiative, which imposed a 1 percent income tax on wealthy residents to pay for mental health services and established a framework for continuous improvement of mental healthcare in the state.

Partnering with public and private mental health agencies at all levels, the Commission works to ensure that people get the care they need in a timely, comprehensive, effective, and culturally competent manner. In everything, it vigorously promotes community collaboration.