Curatorial Assistant, Temporary

Cantor Arts Center

Title: Curatorial Assistant, Temporary
Structure: Hybrid Eligible
Primary Location: Stanford/VPA/Cantor Arts Center
Reports to: Maggie Dethloff, Assistant Curator of Photography and New Media

Profile:

• Job Type: Administrative/Operational (ADM) II
• Employee Status: Temporary
• Education and Experience Level: Bachelor's degree with a minimum of two years of related museum experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Schedule/Hours: Up to 25 hours/week, additional hours may be required depending on business needs.
• Rate of Pay: $30 - $38 per hour

Job Description - External

Stanford University is one of the world's premier academic and research institutions, devoting tremendous intellectual and physical resources toward the betterment of humanity. As a major Silicon Valley employer, Stanford seeks people committed to excellence and to improving our world. In turn, the university is committed to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives. We believe Stanford's future success will be shaped by the diverse perspectives, unique experiences, and inclusive culture of its community.

Serving the Stanford University campus, the Bay Area community, and visitors from around the world, the Cantor Arts Center provides an outstanding cultural experience for visitors of all ages and a growing online audience of scholars. The Cantor's encyclopedic collection spans 5,000 years and includes more than 40,000 works of art from around the globe. An established resource for teaching and research on campus, the Cantor offers free admission and programs year-round. It is consistently one of the most visited university museums in the U.S. It is an exciting time to join the expanding team at the Cantor Arts Center. Join us as we build capacity to achieve the museum's goals within an equitable, collaborative, and creative work environment.

The Curatorial Assistant (Temporary) supports the museum's curatorial program and associated activities, including all aspects of collections and exhibitions development. Reporting to the Assistant Curator of Photography and New Media, this role works on projects for the Cantor Arts Center Curatorial Department. Alongside providing administrative and research assistance for Curators, this position collaborates with departments across the Cantor Arts Center to process acquisitions, loans, and exhibition projects. In addition, the Curatorial Assistant assists with maintaining and developing collection database records, and helps facilitate academic and public programs. This role will interface regularly with faculty, students, the public, donors, galleries, and colleagues within the university, other museums, and peer institutions.

In this role, you will:

• Provide day-to-day administrative support across curatorial projects.
• Answer routine correspondence and respond to public and scholarly inquiries.
• Schedule and attend meetings for curatorial staff, prepare agendas, and keep track of action items and departmental to-do lists.
• Create slide decks and assist with preparation for public speaking engagements and internal presentations.
• Maintain organized records for curatorial projects, including correspondence, contacts, and financial documentation.
• Process reimbursements, honoraria, and invoices; track and reconcile project expenses.
• Assist curators with the research, development, and implementation of changing exhibitions and collection rotations, including preparing checklists, locating and requesting loan objects, and drafting labels.
• Assist with cataloging collection objects and new acquisitions; prepare registration materials, assist in arranging research access to the collection.
• Assist with research, writing, image sourcing and copyright clearances, and oversight of design and production for various publications.
• Assist with development and implementation of educational and public programming such as class visits, artist talks, and lectures.
• Assist in coordinating domestic and international travel arrangements, including itineraries and logistics.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

In order to be successful, you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree and minimum two years related museum experience or a combination of education and relevant experience
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering and supporting an inclusive environment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with professionalism in working across all levels of an organization
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong research and writing skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite and Google Workspace, and familiarity with collection database systems
• Flexible, detail-oriented, and willing to take on a range of administrative and project-based tasks as needed
• Demonstrated interest in the visual arts, visual culture, art history, or related topics; any/all area of specialization welcome
• Eagerness to learn and engage thoughtfully in an academic museum context

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds
• Occasionally stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, writing by hand, and sort/file paperwork or parts
• May work in areas with exposure to dust, paint, chemicals and other toxins

*- Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Please note that this position will be based on the Stanford campus and considered Hybrid (3 or more days/week on campus). You may need to work extended or non-standard hours, weekends and holidays based on business needs. Occasional local travel may be required.

Don't meet every single requirement? At the Cantor and Vice Presidency for the Arts, we are dedicated to building an inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. Let us know in your cover letter how your experience makes you a good fit for us. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles!

TO APPLY:

Please email CV and cover letter to Maggie Dethloff at [email protected] with the subject line APPLICATION: CURATORIAL ASSISTANT/CANTOR ARTS CENTER (Temporary). Applications received by June 15, 2026 will be given priority. Please indicate the date on which you could be available to begin work in your cover letter.

Why Stanford is for You

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

*The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law