Inside Higher Ed
Senior Curator (0421U), Centers and Museums - 81098
Inside Higher Ed, Berkeley, California, United States, 94709
Senior Curator (0421U), Centers and Museums – 81098
About the Position
The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life (the Magnes) is a rare jewel and a research and teaching center at UC Berkeley. The Magnes seeks a creative curator to work in partnership with the Executive Director to implement the museum's mission and vision.
Position Summary
Senior Curator requires a strong curatorial vision grounded in collaboration and audience engagement, leadership skills, and expertise in Jewish studies, including Jewish material culture, to develop, manage, and interpret the Magnes collections with and for the museum’s public and academic communities.
Responsibilities
Lead collections‑based activities: collections development and care, research, access, exhibition program, strategy and policy development with a people‑centered collaborative approach.
Plan and project‑manage multifaceted exhibitions and installations on topics of relevance and importance to Magnes audiences, including writing interpretive materials and catalogs.
Develop curatorial projects in collaboration with UC Berkeley faculty and students, academic programs, and courses.
Maintain a leadership role in the field of Jewish studies or other related academic field, staying abreast of current scholarship and new theories.
Hold expertise in museum/curatorial studies, staying up to date on best practices and emerging trends in collections preservation, presentation, interpretation, and management, as well as audience engagement and experience.
Participate in regional, national, and international networks, meetings, and conferences.
Leadership and Supervision
Play a key role in short‑ and long‑range institutional planning and strategy setting, including programmatic vision and priorities, staffing levels, and policies.
Partner with Executive Director to lead the museum and represent the Magnes on campus, in the regional public community, and in the national and international museum and academic communities.
Supervise and coach Collections and Curatorial staff, including professional staff and pre‑professional Work‑Study employees and Undergraduate Research Apprentices.
Academic Relations
Deepen existing and establish new relationships with UC Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff.
Work closely with the Learning & Engagement Coordinator to support teaching and learning at UC Berkeley and other regional higher education and secondary schools through collections‑based programming.
Engage UC Berkeley faculty, departments, and centers in collaborative initiatives that strengthen student engagement and/or support faculty research.
Development and External Relations
Partner with Executive Director and Arts & Humanities Development Office to cultivate and steward donors, foundations, government, and corporate funders for general and project‑specific Collections and Curatorial needs.
Be a highly visible member of the Magnes staff, serving as an effective spokesperson for the museum as a unique institution and as a collaborator with campus and community partners.
Staff the museum's advisory boards together with the Executive Director and Marketing & Communications Manager.
Participate in planning and holding fundraising events.
Write grants and seek project sponsorships.
Cultivate and solicit gifts‑in‑kind to the permanent collection.
Budget and Financial Operations
In partnership with the Executive Director and Department Assistant, develop and manage the annual Collections and Curatorial budget, and single and multi‑year project budgets for exhibitions and other curatorial initiatives.
Identify opportunities and set goals for ethical collections‑based revenue generation.
Required Qualifications
Deep knowledge of Jewish history, religion, cultures, and material culture with specialization in an area of the museum's collection.
Ability to curate engaging and interactive exhibitions based on original research and on topics of relevance and importance to museum audiences.
Deep knowledge of standard museum curatorial practices and current trends.
Deep knowledge of collection development and connoisseurship, ethical and legal standards for acquisition and deaccession, and of the current market.
Knowledge of the principles of conservation/preservation.
Ability to interpret material culture for diverse audiences, including best practices in label writing, audience engagement, and visitor experience.
Ability to conduct scholarly research and write scholarly publications.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong public speaking skills.
Fluency in reading Hebrew (required); fluency or proficiency in Russian, Polish, Yiddish, Ladino, and/or a Jewish language other than Hebrew.
Advanced degree in related field and/or equivalent experience/training with extensive knowledge in Jewish studies and arts/museum administration.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience curating photographic collections and/or knowledge of the history of photography.
Salary & Benefits
Annual salary range: $112,400.00 – $214,000.00 (exempt monthly‑paid). Comprehensive benefits package available on the UC Berkeley Compensation & Benefits website.
How to Apply
Submit your resume and cover letter through the UC Berkeley job portal.
Other Information
Remote work up to 10% remote.
This is not a visa opportunity.
Conviction History Background
Designated position requiring fingerprinting and background check. Berkeley hires people with conviction histories and reviews information in context of job responsibilities.
Mandated Reporter
This position is a mandated reporter required to report suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders.
Equal Employment Opportunity
UC Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life (the Magnes) is a rare jewel and a research and teaching center at UC Berkeley. The Magnes seeks a creative curator to work in partnership with the Executive Director to implement the museum's mission and vision.
Position Summary
Senior Curator requires a strong curatorial vision grounded in collaboration and audience engagement, leadership skills, and expertise in Jewish studies, including Jewish material culture, to develop, manage, and interpret the Magnes collections with and for the museum’s public and academic communities.
Responsibilities
Lead collections‑based activities: collections development and care, research, access, exhibition program, strategy and policy development with a people‑centered collaborative approach.
Plan and project‑manage multifaceted exhibitions and installations on topics of relevance and importance to Magnes audiences, including writing interpretive materials and catalogs.
Develop curatorial projects in collaboration with UC Berkeley faculty and students, academic programs, and courses.
Maintain a leadership role in the field of Jewish studies or other related academic field, staying abreast of current scholarship and new theories.
Hold expertise in museum/curatorial studies, staying up to date on best practices and emerging trends in collections preservation, presentation, interpretation, and management, as well as audience engagement and experience.
Participate in regional, national, and international networks, meetings, and conferences.
Leadership and Supervision
Play a key role in short‑ and long‑range institutional planning and strategy setting, including programmatic vision and priorities, staffing levels, and policies.
Partner with Executive Director to lead the museum and represent the Magnes on campus, in the regional public community, and in the national and international museum and academic communities.
Supervise and coach Collections and Curatorial staff, including professional staff and pre‑professional Work‑Study employees and Undergraduate Research Apprentices.
Academic Relations
Deepen existing and establish new relationships with UC Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff.
Work closely with the Learning & Engagement Coordinator to support teaching and learning at UC Berkeley and other regional higher education and secondary schools through collections‑based programming.
Engage UC Berkeley faculty, departments, and centers in collaborative initiatives that strengthen student engagement and/or support faculty research.
Development and External Relations
Partner with Executive Director and Arts & Humanities Development Office to cultivate and steward donors, foundations, government, and corporate funders for general and project‑specific Collections and Curatorial needs.
Be a highly visible member of the Magnes staff, serving as an effective spokesperson for the museum as a unique institution and as a collaborator with campus and community partners.
Staff the museum's advisory boards together with the Executive Director and Marketing & Communications Manager.
Participate in planning and holding fundraising events.
Write grants and seek project sponsorships.
Cultivate and solicit gifts‑in‑kind to the permanent collection.
Budget and Financial Operations
In partnership with the Executive Director and Department Assistant, develop and manage the annual Collections and Curatorial budget, and single and multi‑year project budgets for exhibitions and other curatorial initiatives.
Identify opportunities and set goals for ethical collections‑based revenue generation.
Required Qualifications
Deep knowledge of Jewish history, religion, cultures, and material culture with specialization in an area of the museum's collection.
Ability to curate engaging and interactive exhibitions based on original research and on topics of relevance and importance to museum audiences.
Deep knowledge of standard museum curatorial practices and current trends.
Deep knowledge of collection development and connoisseurship, ethical and legal standards for acquisition and deaccession, and of the current market.
Knowledge of the principles of conservation/preservation.
Ability to interpret material culture for diverse audiences, including best practices in label writing, audience engagement, and visitor experience.
Ability to conduct scholarly research and write scholarly publications.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong public speaking skills.
Fluency in reading Hebrew (required); fluency or proficiency in Russian, Polish, Yiddish, Ladino, and/or a Jewish language other than Hebrew.
Advanced degree in related field and/or equivalent experience/training with extensive knowledge in Jewish studies and arts/museum administration.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience curating photographic collections and/or knowledge of the history of photography.
Salary & Benefits
Annual salary range: $112,400.00 – $214,000.00 (exempt monthly‑paid). Comprehensive benefits package available on the UC Berkeley Compensation & Benefits website.
How to Apply
Submit your resume and cover letter through the UC Berkeley job portal.
Other Information
Remote work up to 10% remote.
This is not a visa opportunity.
Conviction History Background
Designated position requiring fingerprinting and background check. Berkeley hires people with conviction histories and reviews information in context of job responsibilities.
Mandated Reporter
This position is a mandated reporter required to report suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders.
Equal Employment Opportunity
UC Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.
#J-18808-Ljbffr