Assistant Curator

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures furthers the understanding, celebration, and preservation of cinema through inclusive and accessible exhibitions, screenings, programs, initiatives, and collections. Welcoming visitors from Los Angeles and around the world, the Museum works in active partnership with motion picture artists and specialists, scholars, staff, and diverse communities to contextualize and challenge dominant narratives around cinema, inspiring discourse, connection, joy, and discover.

Under the supervision of senior management, the Assistant Curator is responsible for working independently on all aspects of smaller scale exhibitions as well as collaborating with film artists and guest curators. They may also assist senior curators on larger scale exhibition projects. This position develops all aspects of content, and collaborates closely with creative, design, registration, conservation, planning, and publication departments on the execution of an exhibition. They will also work collaboratively with public facing departments to create engaging and mission-driven content beyond an exhibition.

The Assistant Curator may write texts for catalogues and other online formats and advise and participate in interpretive initiatives at the Museum. They may also manage a Research Assistant on project-related duties and, as approved by senior management, may also present content about the Museum elsewhere and function as a representative of the Museum.

This position is being represented by a union.

You Will:

• Engage the public and disseminate knowledge on the Academy collection and programs and film history in general through mission critical exhibitions, publications, lectures, symposia, gallery talks, and other innovative public programs.
• Be responsible for conducting research in film and cultural history related to potential exhibitions, publications, lectures, conferences, symposia, and interpretive public programs.
• Initiate and maintain contacts with filmmakers, scholars, curators, critics, authors, and other colleagues in the field and culture in general.
• Under the supervision of senior management, organize smaller-scale exhibitions and works with film artists on collaborations.
• Assist senior curators on larger exhibition projects.
• Identify and recommend new acquisitions to senior management.
• As project manager for an exhibition or program, conceive an idea, present the project to senior management, and discuss the project proposal as required.
• Develop exhibition narrative, checklists, secures loans, assess conservation needs, write didactics, and create AV components.
• As a project manager for an exhibition of smaller scale or artist collaboration, assist in formulating the budget, participate in fundraising, and assist in writing grant requests.
• Collaborate closely with creative and design teams as well as with the digital curator on developing content for app, website, and digital interactives.
• Collaborate on publication development including writing text for brochures, scholarly catalogues, or other types of publications as appropriate.
• May assist a guest curator on exhibition projects.
• May work with Associate, Senior Curator, or Guest Curator on exhibitions organized by another institution traveling to the Academy Museum.
• Work closely with other Academy Museum staff members regarding shipping, layout, and installation of works; writing text for brochures and labels; and contributing and coordinating interpretive programs.
• Initiate project related outreach and interpretive programs with Education and Public Program teams and work with them on innovative interpretive programs geared for a wide range of audiences, including adults, universities, schools, families, and children.
• Work with the Development staff to cultivate individuals, corporations, and foundations that may donate funds and/or goods and services in support of the museum’s programs as required.
• Perform other duties as required.