Assistant Curator
COMPANY: Monterey Museum of Art APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 15, 2022 SCHEDULE: Full time, non-exempt
WORKPLACE: Hybrid (Remote and On Site)
DEPARTMENT: Collections and Exhibitions
REPORTING: Reports to MMA Executive Director COMPENSATION: Salary commensurate with experience
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Negotiable
About MMA Monterey Museum of Art is located on the beautiful Monterey Peninsula, California and is the only AAM accredited art museum between San Jose and Santa Barbara. The Museum mounts 6-9 exhibits annually that reflect the diverse, creative legacies of Northern and Central California from the nineteenth century to the present day. The museum has a 7000-item collection reflecting the artists and movements of Central and Northern California. Particular strengths of the collection are works of the Carmel Arts Colony, California Photography, and Contemporary California artists of the region. MMA has a strong, ongoing commitment to address under-representation of women and people of color in its collection and exhibitions. Currently the museum is open and operating under COVID restrictions including limited hours and capacity. MMA’s FY 22 operating budget is $2.2 million dollars, and it has a staff of 17 full and part time workers. The museum is currently in strategic planning with the goal of launching a capital campaign in FY 2024 to build a new museum. MMA staff are values driven, self-motivated and service oriented. Work/life balance is a priority: and the museum offers on site and remote work options, well-being days off and flexible hours, as well as professional development and leadership coaching. MMA staff use Zoom, Asana, Podio and Microsoft Teams to help make our team-oriented work more collaborative and efficient. The museum seeks candidates of diverse experiences and backgrounds with passionate commitment to the arts and cultural sector, museums and public education. Read MMA’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging statement here: https://montereyart.org/about-us/policies/
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Assistant Curator supports research and planning for current and future MMA exhibitions and public programs. Working closely with Executive Director and Exhibitions and Collections Director s/he is responsible for a variety of curatorial and museum administration tasks including research and planning of exhibitions, developing dossiers, data bases and budgets, as well as managing contacts, meetings, and correspondence with artists, curators, collectors and colleagues; as well as coordinating public programs, the production of catalogs and other exhibition communication.
The Assistant Curator will gain significant experience in curating exhibitions and designing public programs, as well as in museum management and leadership including artist, curator and donor cultivation. The museum is actively advancing its programming and collecting using Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging goals, and this position will have an important role in identifying and vetting artists, curators, and exhibition proposals, as well as opportunities to propose and execute special events and exhibitions.
Successful candidates for this position should have 3-5 years of professional experience or formal training in visual arts museums and/or galleries, preferably with in-depth knowledge of Monterey County and northern California visual artists from the 19th to 21st centuries. Candidates must demonstrate skill and experience in planning and execution of complex creative projects, in addition to excellent written and oral communication skills. In addition, candidates should be able to demonstrate their knowledge, skill and cultural competence with regard to working towards greater diversity, equity and inclusion in museum setting with the long-term goal of creating a place of belonging for all visitors, artists and other stakeholders.
Working closely with the Director of MMA this position requires a high level of service-orientation, as well as diplomacy and discretion. In addition, it is critical that the person in this position demonstrates attention to detail and provides timely and reliable follow-up.
All museum personnel spend time in the galleries, attend museum functions, speak in public about our work and are engaged in the community as their schedules permit. MMA appreciates candidates who have skill in a second language, especially Spanish.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Exhibitions and Collections
• Provide ongoing curatorial research and planning support to the Executive Director and Director of Exhibitions and Collections in the development of 2022-2025 programming
• Track contacts, arrange and attend meetings, take notes and prepare follow-up plans and correspondence with artists, collectors, and external colleagues
• Help create, coordinate, and edit exhibition descriptions and didactic materials such as wall text, labels, and newsletter and website content.
• Help lead the programming of the Currents Gallery with emerging artists and relevant public education installations
• Help expand MMA’s acquisitions target list and develop dossiers on works under consideration.
Communications
• Works with Programs, Education, Development, and Marketing & Communications staff to prepare and edit materials to promote, publicize, and interpret exhibitions and related public programs.
• Assists with gathering and writing exhibition-related information pertinent to grant applications, final reports, and other institutional needs.
• Help ensure accuracy of information on all MMA publications, in print and online.
Programming
• Collaborate with Education and Public Programs to conceive, coordinate and execute programs, interviews, panels, symposia, etc. involving artists, curators and external colleagues.
• Assist with coordination of logistical needs for artist/curator visits including arranging honoraria, travel, lodging, meals, and any event-related logistics.
• Assist with hosting visiting artists/curators, including itineraries, transportation, and entertainment
• As requested, assist or lead staff training on exhibitions and/or conduct tours, workshops etc.
Administrative
• Update artist, curator, museum and colleague mailing lists.
• Other duties as assigned.
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REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
• 3-5 years’ experience in curation and research related to visual arts and museums
• Training and proven success in advancing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging goals through exhibitions, collections and public programs
• Highly developed arts related writing and copy-editing skills.
• Strong oral communication skills and confidence in public speaking.
• Strong attention to detail, high level of accuracy, and strong problem-solving skills.
• Emotional and Social skills to work positively with diverse stakeholders including staff, trustees, artists, arts professionals, and the public.
• Computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office, Zoom, Asana, Podio and Microsoft Teams
• Skilled in establishing priorities, coordinating multiple complex creative projects simultaneously, and setting and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively and closely with a team.
• A flexible/versatile approach to ensuring every project’s success.
• Passion for contemporary art and culture.
• Advanced degree in art history, museum studies, or museum curating preferred.
• Some experience in the field, either at a similar organization or through independent practice.
• Fluency in English required,
• Second language desirable, particularly Spanish
JOB CONTEXT AND WORKING CONDITIONS
• Seated in a semi-private office and works in small groups in person and on Zoom
• Remote work schedule negotiable
• Must be able to sit for long periods of computer use.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours as necessary.
ENVIRONMENT:
• Approximately 90% of the time performing job duties is spent indoors, within a museum environment.
• Approximately 50% of the time is spent on the computer.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The temperature of the work environment is moderate and ranges from 65 – 80 degrees.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
• Ability to lift 25lbs.
• Mobility, flexibility, gross body coordination, and dexterity sufficient to stand
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time
• Ability and mobility to drive a motor vehicle
MACHINES, TOOL AND EQUIPMENT:
• Continuously (67-100%): computer, 10-key calculator, copier, writing instruments and telephone.
• Driving (20%)
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Direct reports: None
Indirect reports: None

CONTACT INFORMATION
Email cover letter, résumé or cv, 1-2 substantive writing samples (no more than 2000 words) and contact information for 3 professional references to Jennifer Wagner <jwagner@montereyart.org>
Please put ASSISTANT CURATOR in the subject line.