Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion at Getty

Getty believes diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion are essential to our excellence and to the execution of our mission. The Getty community values differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. We are committed to creating a welcoming workplace that reflects the various backgrounds of the communities we serve and includes individuals who bring a diversity of values and experiences. Individuals of color, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Job Summary

Our Mission

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to inspire curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts by collecting, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of art of outstanding quality and historical importance and is one of four programs of the J. Paul Getty Trust.  The Museum operates two sites, the Getty Villa in Malibu, which exhibits its collection of Greek and Roman antiquities, and the Getty Center in Brentwood, which displays its collections of European art: Medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts, paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, drawings to 1900, and photography to the present day (including non-European works).  The Museum mounts approximately 25 temporary exhibitions a year across its two sites; maintains an annual permanent gallery improvement program and offers wide-ranging and ambitious programming for its visitors.

The Opportunity

The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks a qualified Assistant Curator to support the Paintings department. The Assistant Curator will be a full-time member of the curatorial team of the Department of Paintings, responsible for the collection of Italian, French, Spanish, and British paintings before 1800. Under moderate supervision, they will help develop the paintings collection in their area of expertise, maintaining and managing it in collaboration with colleagues and under the direction of more senior curators. The applicant should therefore have a strong background and established publishing history in one or more of those areas. They are also responsible for performing such curatorial duties as: researching and studying works currently in the collection; recommending acquisitions; proposing exhibitions and research projects; maintaining and updating the online catalogue; working with colleagues in the museum and academic world as well as with dealers and auctioneers and cultivating collectors and other supporters. The ideal candidate will not only have an established reputation in their field but will be someone passionately interested in connoisseurship, provenance, and object-based research; someone interested in shaping the Painting Department’s collection through display, gifts, and purchase for the next generation; someone deeply committed to the Museum's mission of public engagement and outreach.

Major Job Responsibilities

• Applies advanced knowledge of art history and art education to curatorial assignments of moderate complexity
• Performs scholarly research
• May devise gallery installations and organize smaller exhibitions in collaboration with contributing departments
• Travels and networks internationally to develop partnerships with other museums
• Publishes and lectures in area of specialization
• Participates in digitization and collection management; assesses loan requests; assists with assessments of conservation needs of the collection
• May research and propose acquisitions and donations for the collections in collaboration with curators and participate in the preparation of acquisition proposals
• Collaborates in research projects; serves as a resource to scholars, visitors and staff and develops relationships with outside institutions and professionals to foster cross-institutional initiatives
• Contributes to the development of interpretive programming, including public and educational programs, digital media, and social media
• Foster and maintain good working relationships with colleagues from other institutions in the U.S. and abroad as well as with the scholarly community, dealers, and collectors; actively cultivate potential sponsors and donors
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in art history, art or art education OR 2-4 yrs of curatorial experience OR Ph.D.
• Fluency in at least one foreign language (modern or ancient) required
• Competent to work in most curatorial functions

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ph.D. in art history with a specialization in at least one of the following: Italian and/or French, and/or Spanish, and/or British painting before 1800 preferred
• Fluency in at least one foreign language, preferably Italian, and/or French, and/or Spanish
• Demonstrated experience with art historical research and writing
• Proven interest in the field
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate and distill information for diverse audiences in print and online
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate with teams across disciplines
• Excellent knowledge of collection management and digital asset management tools

Benefits and Perks

Here are just some examples that Getty offers/provides for full-time employees:

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance coverage, starting on date of hire. Getty pays 75%-95% of the premium, depending on the plan selected.
• 403(b) Employee Investment retirement plan – with up to 5% Getty Match
• Getty contribution of 6%, on behalf of employee, to 401(a) retirement account
• Educational Assistance and professional development
• Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Days
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Many positions have bi-weekly Off-Fridays
• On-Site Fitness Center at Getty Center
• Community service opportunities

To learn more about our comprehensive benefits and long list of perks, go to Getty HR.  

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship or immigration status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected status.

Assistant Curator of Paintings in Los Angeles, California | Careers at Getty (icims.com)