Visual Arts

Job Summary

The Phyllis C Wattis Curator reports to the chief curator and works primarily on temporary exhibitions in all media of various scales to include originating, and/or coordinating with guest-curators, exhibitions in the long-standing Matrix series, touring exhibitions, major special exhibitions, and Art Wall commissions but will also contribute to BAMPFA collection-building efforts, public programming, and collaborations with colleagues within the department and across departments. This position may be hired to the Senior Curator level if the candidate displays a higher level of skills and such title is in line with their job trajectory.

Job Scope

This position takes the lead on coordinating the Matrix series that incorporates myriad curatorial voices. In line with our mission to be locally connected and globally relevant, this role will develop close relationships with artists in the Bay Area while staying abreast of developments with international artistic and curatorial practice. Modern and Contemporary experience with a focus on one or more of the following: Global Asian, Black Diaspora, or Latin American/Latinx focus. This role supervises one Curatorial Assistant/Assistant Curator.

Responsibilities

• Curates original exhibitions and programs of primarily modern and contemporary art.
• Conducts original and academic research on artists, objects, and cultural ideas.
• On occasion, commissions new art works.
• Curates exhibitions within the MATRIX program and is responsible for staying abreast of cutting edge artists and exhibition models, and reflecting current contemporary trends in exhibition programming.
• Collaborates with other curators and director in planning and evaluation of overall exhibition program.
• Conducts research on artists and objects, and presents research results in written labels, brochures, catalogues, tours, essays, and other public presentations.
• Actively cultivates relationships with foundations, trustees, existing and potential major donors, curators, collectors, and artists for programmatic and financial support.
• Collaborates with development staff to strategize and fundraise for program-specific as well as operational and other curatorial needs, and for the capital campaign and endowments.
• Introduces programs, gives gallery talks, and writes original interpretive materials and essays for publications that engage a general audience as well as a highly informed one.
• Represents the museum at scholarly, public, and cultivation events.
• Holds leadership role in the contemporary art field, through close working relationships with curators and through original scholarly research.
• Selects and trains employees, and aligns their efforts with department and campus objectives, providing constructive feedback and performance assessments, and motivating employees to do their best.
• Supervises curatorial assistant, work study students and/or interns.
• May serves as work lead for curatorial assistant, lower-level curators. 
  Other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications

• Masters degree or higher in related area and/or equivalent experience/training
• Experience organizing exhibitions with special loans, communicating with lenders, developing layouts, checklists, and writing gallery didactics.
• Modern and Contemporary art experience with a focus on one or more of the following: Global Asian, Black Diaspora, or Latin American/Latinx focus. High level of experience working with living artists.
• Knowledge of and experience with standard museum practice and is current with new thinking in curatorial practice. 
• Knowledge of selection, evaluation, and exhibition of objects.
• Fundraising including donor cultivation and relationship building.
• Skills in scholarly research and writing scholarly publications.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts about art to a public audience that ranges from casual museum visitors to academics.
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and public speaking skills.
• Excellent project management skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Exhibition publication experience.
• Ability to represent the organization well in various settings within the curatorial field, at conferences, etc.
• Ability to prioritize teamwork.
• Leadership  skills to include taking initiative, good judgment, decision-making and personal accountability.
• Ability to manage performance and professional development of junior curators. (Preferred)

Salary 

$85,000-$95,000

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

How to Apply

Visit the job posting on the Berkeley Jobs portal: https://jobs.berkeley.edu/ (Job # 43420) Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying.

Job Summary

Working closely with the Chief Curator, this role engages deeply and innovatively with BAMPFA’s 28,000 object collection to make it more accessible to the public and as a resource for critical dialogue. This highly collaborative position works with colleagues across departments and across campus to present new art historical narratives and critical perspectives that incorporate historical materials together with contemporary work in multi-year collection-based exhibitions. This role will spearhead a new faculty teaching gallery, oversee the Cal Conversations student-curated series, lead collection installations and rotations, and work closely with guest-curators on exhibitions from the collection. The Curator will also oversee research and access within the special collections within the Works on Paper, Chinese paintings, and Conceptual Art study centers. This role may also curate or coordinate special exhibitions, Matrix series, or Art Wall exhibitions. This position may be hired to the Senior Curator level if the candidate displays a higher level of skills and such title is in line with their job trajectory.

Job Scope

BAMPFA is seeking a curator who can approach their work as a curious generalist, but has primary experience with 19th century or Modern and Contemporary art with a focus on one or more of these areas: Black Diaspora, Global Asian or Latin America/Latinx. This position supervises curatorial professionals within a larger curatorial organization such as our Associate Curator. The Curator provides guidance on complex curatorial issues that arise.

Responsibilities

• Curates exhibitions and programs. Researches, plans, selects, and implements special and touring exhibitions, from the museum’s collection and outside sources. Collaborates with other curators and executive director in planning and evaluation of exhibition programs.
• Conducts research on objects, and presents research results in labels, brochures, catalogues, tours, and/or other public presentations. Ensures the efficient operations of programs, including research, documentation, acquisition, and maintenance of collection and cataloguing in database.
• Selects and trains employees, and aligns their efforts with department and campus objectives, providing constructive feedback and performance assessments, and motivating employees to do their best. Serves as work lead for lower-level curators.
• Cultivates financial support and donations of objects and collections. Collaborates with development staff to strategize and fundraise for program-specific as well as operational and other curatorial needs, and for the acquisition of artworks.
• Recommends and researches objects for preservation, conservation, acquisition, deaccession, loan, etc.
• Collaborates with colleagues, faculty, students and other partners on exhibitions and programs. Establishes and strengthens ties between UC Berkeley faculty and BAMPFA.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications

• Masters degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Specialization in an area of the museum’s collection and knowledge of standard museum curatorial practices and current trends.
• Knowledge of collection building / connoisseurship, ethical and legal standards for acquisition, and of the current market.
• Knowledge of selection, evaluation, and exhibition of objects for acquisition, presentation and loans.
• Knowledge of the principles of conservation / preservation.
• Donor cultivation and relationship building skills.
• Skills in scholarly research and writing scholarly publications.
• Supervisory and leadership abilities. Ability to manage performance and develop junior curators.
• Leadership skills to include taking initiative, good judgment, decision-making, giving and receiving feedback, and personal accountability.
• Skills in research and writing didactics and publications for general and specialized audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and public speaking skills.
• Excellent project management skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to represent the organization well in various settings within the curatorial field, at conferences, etc.
• Ability to prioritize teamwork.

Salary 

$85,000-$95,000

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

How to Apply

Visit the job posting on the Berkeley Jobs Portal: https://jobs.berkeley.edu/   (Job # 43419). Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying.

Job Summary

BAMPFA is seeking a bold visionary to work closely with the Executive Director to change the culture of museums inside and out. This position ensures programmatic convergence and communication across BAMPFA in line with institutional vision and goals and is grounded in serving the public, artists, and the UC Berkeley community. The position of Chief Curator requires a strong curatorial vision with a focus on modern or contemporary art. An appreciation for art and film from all eras and a commitment to social, racial and environmental justice is required.

Job Scope

As a primary spokesperson for art exhibitions and collections at BAMPFA, the Chief Curator ensures programmatic convergence and communication across BAMPFA and publicly in line with institutional vision and goals. This position requires the ability to handle a fast-paced environment and multiple projects. The Chief Curator focuses on community building and works closely with local, national, and international artists. This position oversees the BAMPFA exhibition program, curates major exhibitions, and curates exhibitions within the MATRIX or Art Wall series. This position works closely with guest curators, artists, and scholars. The Chief Curator promotes new scholarship and gives space to historically marginalized artists. The Chief Curator works closely with the film and education departments on collaborations and implementing artistic programs. This position works in close partnership with the Director of Collections and Exhibitions on implementation of exhibitions through project management, including publications. The Chief Curator leads strategy around curatorial implementation of special collections, exhibitions, touring shows, inter-institutional collaborations, acquisitions, and campus public art projects. The Chief Curator manages a team of curators, associate curators, and curatorial assistants.

Responsibilities

• Curatorial: 
  -Leads exhibition and collection development, research, access planning, and relevant policy development, maintaining a very high level of programs and activities that engage stakeholders and constituencies. 
  -Based on original research, plans and conceptualizes multi-faceted exhibition programs and programs examining diverse topics. 
  -Creates exhibitions and programs in conjunction with academic courses, departments, programs and faculty. 
  -Holds leadership role in the international art field through substantial participation in professional organizations, close working relationships with international creators, festivals, and artists, and through original scholarly research.
  -Introduces programs and writes original scholarly articles and essays. Stays abreast of current trends, national and international scholarship in art history, issues relevant to exhibitions, archival standards for preservation and presentation, collection storage and care, and new ideas and theories in the field through research and contact with other curators, artists, and scholars. 
  -Hosts guest artist, historians, and critics, including occasional residencies.
• Planning: 
  -Part of the senior management team, plays a key role in long-range institutional planning efforts, such as setting programmatic priorities, staffing levels, and developing visions for presentation, education, and collections access, policy development, and annual strategic planning efforts. Working closely with Director of Collections & Exhibitions, an institutional lead in long-term off-site storage planning and implementation.
• Budget and Financial Operations: 
  -Develops and overseas curatorial, acquisitions, and exhibitions budgets working with individual curators and managers. 
  -Sets objectives for income and expenses, analyzing and adjusting forecast on a regular basis. Formulates long range programmatic financial vision, including staffing levels, facilities, equipment, and financial support needs. Works closely with development staff to strategize and cultivate programs and collection support.
• Leadership and Supervision: 
  -This is the lead programmatic position, providing broad vision, and supervising the excellence, balance, and budgetary feasibility of the exhibition and collection programs. 
  Sets policies and goals regarding programming, preservation, and acquisitions. Supervises and coaches professional curators, educators, collection management, and registration staff. 
  -As programmatic head, works with Executive Director to lead the institution.
  -Leads the integration of artistic and operational functions of art and film within the institution. 
  -Acts as an effective spokesperson for the BAMPFA and the arts at Cal at a local, national, and international level.
• Academic Relations: 
  -Establishes and strengthens ties with UC Berkeley faculty and BAMPFA. Works closely with faculty to create programs and exhibitions that support coursework and student engagement. –
  -Develops co-sponsorship of programs and artist-in-residence with departments and research centers. Involves selected faculty members in collection development planning. 
  -Engages faculty in long-range program planning.
• Cultivation and Development: 
  -Actively cultivate donors, foundations, government, and corporate funders for specific programs as well as general curatorial needs including collection development.
  -Cultivates relationships with museum trustees, collectors, and artists for programmatic and financial support. 
  -Involved with creating fundraising events with development staff. Staff liaison with board committees. 
  -Develops and provides content for grants and collaborates with other staff in grant preparation. Seeks funding and sponsorship from international cultural organizations, regional organizations, individual donors, and campus entities. 
  -Solicits gifts of art and film. 

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training with extensive knowledge in modern and contemporary art with an interest in art of all eras.
• Specialization in an area of the museum’s collection.
• Knowledge of standard museum curatorial practices and current trends.
• Knowledge of collection building / connoisseurship, ethical and legal standards for acquisition, and of the current market.
• Knowledge of selection, evaluation, and exhibition of objects.
• Knowledge of the principles of conservation / preservation.
• Donor cultivation and relationship building skills.
• Skills in scholarly research and writing scholarly publications.
• Skills in budget and project management, problem solving, and process improvement.
• Excellent skills in management and supervision; ability to assess, coach, mentor, and motivate teams toward goals.
• Ability to take long-range approach
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong public speaking.
• Highly flexible and ability to work effectively in a matrixed and start-up-like environment.
• Demonstrated interest and success in collaboration, working effectively with diverse stakeholders, and possessing effective communication and diplomacy skills for a wide range of audiences, including museum staff, students, faculty volunteers, university staff, artists, collectors, art dealers, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to secure donations of art that contribute to the permanent collection’s growth, and financial contributions in support of art exhibitions and commissions.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and strategic thinking to contribute to building and growing an organization.
• Proven skill and ability to conceptualize, research, direct, and organize multifaceted and complex exhibitions and publications.
• Ability and passion to integrate the curatorial, collections, and educational activities of the museum with the teaching, research, and public service missions of UC Berkeley.
• Demonstrable, thorough knowledge of 19th through 21st century art, artists, art history, criticism, and/or theory.
• Interest in art of all eras and geographies, with an emphasis on modern and contemporary global art.
• Resources and national professional network for collaborations and partnerships.

Salary & Benefits
 Annual salary is commensurate with experience within the range of $150,000-$170,000.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

How to Apply

Visit the job posting on the Berkeley Jobs portal: https://jobs.berkeley.edu/ (Job # 43631). Please submit your cover letter and resume as a single attachment when applying.