Who We Are
Founded in 1978, Mingei International Museum collects, preserves, and exhibits “art of the world, art of the people,” including folk art, craft, and design from all eras and cultures. Located in San Diego’s iconic Balboa Park, our highly respected Museum offers stunning exhibitions and diverse educational programs to more than 200,000 visitors each year. The Museum is a nonprofit organization.
Mingei has a deep commitment to creating a space where people are inspired to see their own world through new eyes and, in turn, rediscover, embrace and nurture their own creativity. The recently transformed Museum is a place where all are welcome, where the community can gather, and where individuals can rest and find creative inspiration.
Position Summary
The Collections Fellow is a key member of the Registration and Exhibitions Team; the position is a fixed, 2-year duration. The Collections Fellow works with the curatorial and registration staff in conducting research and cataloging the Museum’s permanent collection. Projects may include object provenance research, NAGPRA-related research and correspondence, and research related to the deaccession process, among others. The Collections Fellow will have hands-on access to the museum’s collections of over 25,000 objects for research purposes. Additional duties include working alongside Mingei staff to receive and catalog new acquisitions. Writing about art for both the museum’s online collections database and in-house collections exhibitions are also part of the role. This role reports directly to the Manager of Registration and Exhibitions but will also work closely with the curatorial staff on individual projects.
Primary Responsibilities
- Assist Curatorial staff to research and catalog artwork in the Permanent Collection
- Conduct research for artwork proposed for deaccession
- Conduct artwork/object-based research to establish accurate attributions, provenance, and other metadata
- Maintain correspondence and compliance with NAGPRA related artwork
- Complete object records in the Collection Management Database
- Edit records for consistency
- Work with Registration staff to track new acquisitions and deaccessions
- Assist Registration Staff with Collection inventories
- Ensure that records on the online Collections Database are accurate, complete, and have good photography
- Identify large-scale Collections Management related projects/maintenance
Key Qualifications:
- M.A. in Art History, Anthropology, Museum Studies, or related field
- Understanding and appreciation of Mingei’s mission and goals
- Minimum 1 year experience working at a museum
- Demonstrated ability to conduct artwork/object-based research and write using scholarly best practices
- Experience conducting art-historical or anthropological research at the graduate level
- Experience writing about art and culture
- Experience working in a museum setting
- Knowledge of NAGPRA legislation
- Working knowledge of Collection Management Best Practices and Procedures
- Knowledge of proper art handling methods
- Familiarity with computer software including collections management databases such as EmbARK or equivalent, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, and Excel)
- Experience interacting with diverse populations in a respectful manner
- Excellent attention to detail
- Physical ability to reach, bend, stoop, lift and move file boxes, pedestals, etc. up to 25 pounds on a regular basis
Terms and Compensation
This is a full-time (37 ½ hours/week), non-exempt position with generous benefits, including employer paid medical, dental, vision (for employee), 401k with match and an hourly rate of $25.00.