Curatorial Assistant (FIXED TERM)

Los Angeles, CAFull-time$24.44–$28/hrPosted Aug 7, 2026

Application Procedure

As part of the application, candidates must upload one document file (Word or PDF) that contains the following: 1) a cover letter, 2) Resume (including telephone and e-mail address) 3) two letters of recommendation.

About the Opportunity:

The University of Southern California Libraries seeks a full-time Curatorial Assistant (FIXED TERM) to support the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries. Working closely with the Curator, the Curatorial Assistant will help research, plan, and produce exhibitions and public programs while providing day-to-day curatorial and administrative support. The position serves as a liaison with artists, scholars, donors, and colleagues across the Libraries and University in support of exhibitions, public programs, and collections management.

The Curatorial Assistant will provide research, organizational, and logistical support for the planning and implementation of exhibitions, including scholarly research; preparation of exhibition checklists; coordination of loan requests; management of rights and permissions; transcription projects; exhibition catalogs; interpretive materials; related public programs; and other exhibition-related materials. The position will also assist the Curator with responding to research and donor inquiries, drafting communications and publicity materials, supporting social media outreach, and cataloging works of art in the Archives' new collections database. The Curatorial Assistant will contribute to both permanent collection exhibitions and larger loan exhibitions, including projects accompanied by scholarly publications.

The successful candidate will possess excellent research, organizational, and project management skills, with exceptional attention to detail. They should be able to work both independently and collaboratively, communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, and manage multiple projects simultaneously. A background in art history or a related field and experience working in museums, archives, or other cultural heritage organizations are preferred.

The Curatorial Assistant is a full-time, 20 month fixed-term staff position.

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California is one of the world’s leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles, USC has a large number of international students and offers extensive opportunities for internships and study abroad. With a strong tradition of integrating liberal and professional education, USC fosters a vibrant culture of public service and encourages students to cross academic as well as geographic boundaries in their pursuit of knowledge. For more information, visit www.usc.edu.

USC Libraries

The USC Libraries actively support the discovery, creation, and preservation of knowledge. We develop collections and services that support and encourage the academic endeavors of faculty, students, and staff; build a community of critical consumers of information; and help develop engaged world citizens. Through these means, we contribute to the continued success of the University of Southern California. The USC Libraries includes the Doheny Memorial Library and fourteen specialized libraries with an operating budget of approximately $41 million. Library collections encompass over 4.2 million volumes, 5.9 million microforms, 3.1 million images, 49,300 linear feet of manuscripts and archives, with access to over 113,800 serials in print and electronic formats, over 1,650 datasets, and nearly 1.3 million e-books. For more information, visit libraries.usc.edu.

ONE Archives at the USC Libraries

ONE Archives at the USC Libraries is the largest repository of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) materials in the world. Founded in 1952, ONE Archives currently houses over two million archival items including periodicals, books, film, video and audio recordings, photographs, artworks, organizational records, and personal papers. ONE Archives has been a part of the University of Southern California Libraries since 2010. Its mission is to collect, preserve, and make accessible LGBTQ+ materials while promoting new scholarship on and public awareness of queer histories.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Assists with data collection through independent secondary and primary research. Conducts object-based and archival research and synthesizes this research for the exhibition.
Produces written scholarship for publication and coordinates and assists in the production of an exhibition catalog including securing image rights and coordinating texts from multiple sources. Supervises production work performed by internal staff or interfaces with vendors to negotiate and contract for production services. Monitors vendor performance to ensure quality and timeliness of contracted work.
Creates reports, correspondence, and other materials as needed. Assists with reports required by the grant giving institution that supports this position.
Arranges and attends meetings, seminars, symposia and other events related to project efforts. Stays informed of developments in the field.
Assists in the organization and production of grant proposals. Gathers documentation such as annual reports and detailed budgets for inclusion in proposals.
Hosts national and international visiting scholars
Assists in the creation of an exhibition checklist and coordinates exhibition loans
In addition, the successful candidate must demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

Benefits:

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for employees and their families with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions after six (6) months of employment; tuition benefits for employees and their families; access to professional development opportunities; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses, and tram pick up services at no charge to employees; discounts to a wide variety of cultural, sporting, and other campus events.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Education: B.A. in Art history or related field

Preferred Experience: 1 year experience

Preferred Field Expertise: Interest in Queer History, Proficiency with Microsoft Office and knowledge of Photoshop, Premiere and InDesign.

Minimum Education: High School or equivalent

Minimum Experience: 1 year

Minimum Field of Expertise: Knowledge of data collection procedures and some experience with proposal preparation and production of documents for publication

The hourly rate range for this position is $24.44 - $28.00. When determining an offer, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate’s experience, education, training, key skills, internal peer alignment, applicable laws, contractual requirements, grant funding, and market conditions.

USC is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, gender, creed and background. The university particularly encourages members of underrepresented groups, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply. USC will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Further information is available by contacting uschr@usc.edu.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
Preferred Education: Master's degree

Minimum Experience: One year
* Experience supporting collections curators and archivists.
* Experience with collections databases.
* Demonstrable specialized knowledge pertinent to materials in collection(s) and archival equipment.
* Experience utilizing digital reproduction technologies (e.g., scanners and digital cameras for preservation, access and/or exhibition).
* Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
* Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and Adobe suite of applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, Photoshop, and InDesign).

USC 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, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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