Curator of Photography and Contemporary Art

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art seeks an internationally recognized curator with expertise in 20th- and 21st-century art who will have an area of focus in photography. The museum’s 8,000 photographs are a significant part of the 26,000 artworks in the collection. Santa Barbara is about 90 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, and the city has a vibrant, walkable downtown, with access to numerous local institutions of higher education, including the University of California, Santa Barbara. The incoming curator will join the museum at a pivotal moment with a renewed focus on community outreach, significant exhibitions, and raising national and regional visibility. This is an opportunity for someone to build a program and shape an institution during a period of growth and change.

The qualified candidate will have comprehensive knowledge of 20th- and 21st-century art with an area of concentration in photography. Knowledge of other areas of collection strength, including 19th-century and Latin Americana art, are also most welcome. The candidate should have a flair for creative projects drawing on the museum’s permanent collection. The candidate will have an active curatorial profile demonstrated through exhibitions, publications, and public speaking. The candidate must have a record of successful collaboration within and beyond their home institution/s, including with artists, collectors, community members, curators, and other non-profits. The candidate will be responsible for an annual roster of exhibitions (loan and permanent collection), publishing, building relationships with collectors and supporters to benefit the museum, regularly acquiring artworks, and managing a curatorial support group. The candidate will actively engage in supporting fundraising efforts from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors.

Requirements include:
Superior communication skills, both oral and written. A collegial demeanor. Excellent knowledge of art and art history. The ability to consistently meet deadlines and manage budgets. A track record of collaboration, exhibitions, acquisitions, and publications. A demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple projects simultaneously. A palpable enthusiasm for artists and art along with a deep knowledge of the field and a well-developed network.

An M.A. in Art History or related field. At least 5 to 10 years of full-time experience as a curator at a museum or equivalent setting, and 3 to 5 years of supervisory experience.

• Reports to the Chief Curator.
• Salary for exempt position will be commensurate with experience $95,000 to $115,000 annually.
• Full-Time status provides competitive benefits including 3 weeks of vacation, 8 days of paid sick leave, 13 paid holidays (14 on Federal Election Yrs.), medical/dental/vision/life ins/pretax savings options and 403b eligibility with 100% matching of up to 5% of your earnings after a year’s service; all while working in beautiful downtown Santa Barbara.
• Position is non-remote.
• Position requires successful background check, have proper ID and ability to commute reliably as needed to offsite locations, both public and private, locally, domestically and/or internationally.

Review of applications begins immediately and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Please send application, CV, cover letter, and names of three references to: Human Resources at hr@sbma.net.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to diversity. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is recognized for its comprehensive art collection, diverse exhibits, and a broad array of events and community activities.