Curatorial and Project Assistant

Overview

Position Information UCR ARTS seeks a Curatorial and Project Assistant for a 24-month, part-time (approximately 20 hours per week) appointment with the possibility of extension beyond the initial period. Reporting to the UCR ARTS Exhibitions Manager, the Curatorial and Project Assistant will support the curatorial team in researching and liaising with artists, outside curators, institutions, vendors, and other collaborators and stakeholders.

The Assistant will establish and maintain detailed exhibition files, draft and edit exhibition texts, assist with budgets and expense tracking, maintain outward-facing exhibition-related information, schedule meetings, respond to general and press inquiries, aid with all facets of the development of upcoming exhibitions, and perform other duties as assigned. The role may require occasional weekend and evening hours within the approved schedule.

UCR ARTS encompasses the California Museum of Photography (CMP) and the Culver Center of the Arts (which houses the Sweeney Art Gallery). The CMP holds more than 500,000 photographs, artifacts, and apparatus and supports photography and visual media through access and context to one of the largest and most comprehensive photographic resources in America. Collection projects have been funded by the NEA, NEH, corporations, and foundations.

Applicants selected for interview will be required to submit a writing sample (2 pages maximum, derived from a research paper or published essay) as part of the selection process. The full salary range is $27.74 - $33.10 per hour, with offers based on education, licensure and certifications, experience, and organizational needs. Applicants must have current work authorization to accept a UCR staff position.

We are not able to sponsor or continue visa sponsorship for staff. As a University employee, you will comply with applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

• Support the curatorial team in researching and liaising with artists, outside curators, institutions, vendors, and other collaborators and stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain detailed exhibition files and draft/edit exhibition texts.
• Assist with budgets and expense tracking; maintain outward-facing exhibition-related information.
• Schedule meetings; respond to general and press inquiries; assist with development of upcoming exhibitions.
• Perform other duties as assigned and work occasional weekends/evenings within approved hours.

• Educational Requirements:
  
  B.A. in Art History or related field, or equivalent work experience. M.A. in Art History or related field preferred.
• Experience:
  
  Minimum 2 years in a museum, gallery, or nonprofit setting; demonstrated interest in curating and working with artists and/or museums; strong grounding in art historical research and methodology; excellent oral and written communication skills; 1–2 page writing sample (derived from a research paper or published essay).
• Knowledge/
  
  Skills:
  
  Familiarity with museum operations, standards, practices, and procedures; knowledge or expertise in contemporary art and/or photography history; administrative coordination experience; proficiency with MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, file sharing platforms (Dropbox, One Drive, Google Drive), Zoom/Microsoft Teams; basic image editing in Adobe Photoshop is a plus.
• Other: UCR graduate preferred; ability to prioritize, manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and coordinate meetings/events; strong organizational and follow-up skills.

• UCR is located in Inland Southern California on nearly 1,200 acres; the campus emphasizes issues critical to growing communities across the arts, history, culture, and society.
• UCR is an Equal Opportunity Employer; all qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories. It is the policy of the University to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with obligations as a Federal and State contractor.
• For information about the benefits package, see the Employee Benefits Overview.