Curatorial Research Specialist

ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART

As the first museum to focus exclusively on storytelling through images, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art believes that visual storytelling can connect us and help shape a more just society.

With a growing collection that encompasses artworks from across cultures, places, times, and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, murals, photography, comic art, book and magazine illustrations, and the arts of filmmaking, the Lucas Museum will explore narrative art’s potential to prompt questions, invite opinions, inspire community, and move people to think about the impact of images on our world.

Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson and led by director and CEO Sandra Jackson-Dumont, the Lucas Museum was designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec as executive architect and is under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park.

An 11-acre campus with extensive new green space designed by Studio-MLA will embrace the museum’s 300,000-square-foot building, which will feature expansive galleries, two state-of-the-art theaters, and dedicated spaces for learning and engagement, dining, retail, and events.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Curatorial Research Specialist is a member of the Lucas Museum curatorial team tasked with providing in-depth research and organizational support for collections and exhibition development.

This position plays a key role in object research, and related historic analysis and cataloguing of the Lucas Museum collections, as well as assisting with specific project-based curatorial initiatives, including the museum’s exhibition and acquisition programs.

The Curatorial Research Specialist, under the direction of the Lucas Museum Curatorial department, will work independently and collaboratively with Museum staff in the essential activities of a curatorial department.

The Curatorial Research Specialist will combine advanced research skills and methodologies with a strong background in writing to write research-based texts on works in the collection that may serve a variety of content purposes, such as object files, materials for the Learning & Engagement division, publications, and forms of gallery interpretation.

This role will catalogue all findings utilizing The Museum System (TMS), and will also provide additional departmental administrative support, including the completion of forms, documents, and project budgets.

If you think you are the right match for the following opportunity, apply after reading the complete description.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducts research for exhibitions, curatorial projects, and publications related to Museum collections.
• Exercises judgement and independent discretion while conducting online and in-person archival research with local, national, and international repositories to provide a recommendation to the Curatorial Department.
• Uses expertise in art history or related field to perform object research on culture and style, place, object use and context, materials, provenance to provide a recommendation to the Curatorial Department that will influence decision making for exhibitions and potential acquisitions.
• Conduct related research to expand artist and object information for research files, including compiling maker biographical information, gathering artwork tombstone details, and developing records regarding date and place of publication (if known).
• Interface with The Museum System (TMS) database to enter compiled research in accordance with standards and guidelines.
• Serves as a liaison between the Museum and archivists, advisors, scholars, curators, artists, and artists’ designated representatives regarding research on artists’ careers and practices, as well as specific works of art.
• Drafts research-based texts on works in the collection as well as loans that may serve a variety of content purposes, such as object files, the Museum’s website, materials for the Learning & Engagement division, publications, and forms of gallery interpretation.
• Builds and organizes research files to support recommendations for the Curatorial Department.
• Contributes in team meetings, as well as multiple working sessions with project advisory committees and inter-departmental Museum working groups based on expertise.
• Manages, tracks, and contributes to exhibition development, including exhibition and loan checklists; provides logistical and administrative support for exhibitions.
• Contributes to and supports catalogue research and development.
• Contributes to and supports Curatorial department planning and initiatives, as assigned.
• Works with technical teams at the Museum to realize required Curatorial aspects of the museum’s inaugural planning.
• May work with specialized consultants and outside scholars on collections related initiatives.
• May require some travel as necessary for specific exhibition, project, and collections research.
• Special projects and other duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Adhering to Principles and Values - Upholds ethics and values; demonstrates integrity; promotes and defends equal opportunities, builds diverse teams;

encourages organizational and individual responsibility towards the organization and community we serve.

• Presenting and Communicating Information - Speaks clearly and fluently; expresses opinions, information and key points of argument clearly;
• makes presentations and undertakes public speaking with skill and confidence; responds quickly to the needs of an audience and to their reactions and feedback;

projects credibility; facility with virtual communication tools if required to work remotely.

Writing and Reporting Writes clearly, succinctly and correctly; writes convincingly in an engaging and expressive manner;

avoids the unnecessary use of jargon or complicated language; writes in a well-structured and logical way; structures information to meet the needs and understanding of the intended audience.

• Following Instructions and Procedures Appropriately follows instructions from others without unnecessarily challenging authority;
• follows procedures and policies; keeps to schedules; arrives punctually for work and meetings; demonstrates commitment to the organization;

complies with legal obligations and safety requirements of the role.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education & Experience
• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in history, art history, media studies, cinema studies, or related field required; Ph.D. preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of cumulative experience in a museum or other arts institution context required.
• Skills
• Exceptional research skills including archival and digital research methods and tools.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and Microsoft Office software.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, and sound judgment.
• Proven skill in managing databases and records.
• Knowledge
• Broad knowledge of art history spanning the pre-modern era through nineteenth-century visual culture, 20th-century popular culture, and modern and contemporary art preferred.
• Familiarity with best practices in provenance research preferred.
• Knowledge of The Museum System (TMS), including data entry in TMS to create constituent records, object records, and capture rights information.
• Reading knowledge of two or more languages required.
• Knowledge of basic museum processes and procedures.
• Deep passion, alignment, and commitment to the Lucas Museum’s mission.
• Abilities
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and follow complex, detailed instructions.
• Research ability sufficient to gather information about works of art or other materials.
• Ability to follow professional museum standards, collection care principles, and museum policies.
• Collaborative team player with proven ability to build relationships and work effectively and positively with Museum leadership and staff, a diverse set of external partners, and the general public.
• Ability to engage with a wide variety of stakeholders, including Museum colleagues, industry experts, and other external partners.
• Comfort with ambiguity, and an ability to envision the new and different, and a commitment to developing and working with diverse audiences.
• Ability to thrive in an entrepreneurial, creative, collaborative, and nimble environment.

$67,000 - $75,000 a year

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.

The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool.

Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.

MISSION AND VISION

We are a museum dedicated to the art of storytelling. Through visual storytelling the Lucas Museum expands the role of art and museums for society.

The Museum inspires thought provoking ideas and conversations that are relevant within and beyond geographic boundaries.

Our work radiates to catalyze more connected and empathetic spaces. The art of storytelling connects us to shape a more just society.

VALUES

Our internal and external practice is shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.

PEOPLE FIRST

We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what people find meaningful, to works of art and the work of our organization.

INSPIRED

We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.

COLLABORATIVE

We believe that nimble thinking and working together yields exponential results.

BRAVE

We approach our work and learning with courage, creativity, curiosity, and a sense of adventure.

4 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Amplify the social impact of Narrative Art through an approach that bridges the academic and the popular.

COMMUNITY

Connect to a broad and diverse public by creating an institution rooted in impactful, respectful, sustainable relationships.

INCLUSION

Practice diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging in all operational and programmatic aspects of our work.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Create a healthy and durable institution equipped to fulfill its vision and public mandate.

All staff at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art lead through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

Salary and titles will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education and experience. An attractive compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate(s).

Pursuant to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the museum requires all new hires to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment absent an approved medical and / or religious exemption.

Upon hire, all new hires will receive detailed instructions on complying with this policy. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

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