Organizer Information
The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) is one of the largest public arts institutions in the United States and the primary public art museum organization serving the City and County of San Francisco. Operated with support from the Corporation of Fine Arts Museums (COFAM), a privately funded nonprofit organization, FAMSF comprises two major museums: the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park.
The institution is dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing global artistic heritage through exhibitions, research, education, and community engagement. Its collections span thousands of years of artistic production, including American art, international contemporary art, textiles and costumes, Indigenous arts of the Americas, African art, Pacific art, ancient art, and European masterpieces.
The de Young Museum, designed by the internationally recognized architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, focuses on American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, contemporary practices, and collections representing cultures from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. The Legion of Honor presents collections ranging from ancient civilizations to European art traditions and includes significant works such as Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker.
Through this Assistant Curator, NAGPRA position, FAMSF is strengthening its commitment to ethical collections management, Indigenous consultation, and compliance with federal and state repatriation laws, including the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and California NAGPRA (CalNAGPRA). The role supports research, documentation, and collaboration with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities to ensure responsible stewardship of Native American cultural materials.
Title & Description
Assistant Curator, NAGPRA
The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco is seeking an Assistant Curator, NAGPRA for a two-year fixed-term position focused on supporting documentation, research, consultation, and repatriation-related activities required under federal NAGPRA and California NAGPRA legislation.
Working within the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas (AOA) department, the Assistant Curator will assist curatorial and collections teams in researching Native American objects, improving collection records, coordinating Tribal consultations, and preparing documentation required for legal compliance and ethical collections practices.
The position plays a key role in strengthening relationships between the museum and Indigenous communities by supporting consultation meetings, researching cultural affiliations, documenting collection histories, and assisting with repatriation processes.
The successful candidate will contribute to museum research initiatives while collaborating with curators, registrars, registration staff, technical services teams, and external Tribal representatives.
The Role Overview
- Position: Assistant Curator, NAGPRA
- Organization: Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF)
- Department: Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas (AOA)
- Position Type: Fixed-Term Full-Time Employment
- Contract Duration: Two years
- Location: San Francisco, California, USA
- Salary Range: $78,000 – $83,000 USD annually
- Working Schedule:
- Monday–Friday
- 40 hours per week
- 8 hours per day
Position & Tasks
The Assistant Curator, NAGPRA will undertake the following responsibilities:
Collections Research and Documentation
- Complete object records for FAMSF collections subject to NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA requirements.
- Research and document:
- Object names
- Artist information (where applicable)
- Place of creation
- Provenance history
- Tribal or cultural affiliation
- Exhibition history
- Publication history
- Materials and techniques
- Prepare research files, documentation sheets, and database records using museum collection management systems.
NAGPRA and CalNAGPRA Compliance
- Support preparation of legally required reports and documentation.
- Assist with submissions to:
- California Native American Heritage Commission Tribal Resource Collections Database
- Federal NAGPRA database
- Assist with preparation and publication of Federal Register notices.
Indigenous Community Engagement
- Maintain communication records with Tribal Nations and NAGPRA officials.
- Support consultation meetings with Tribal representatives.
- Assist with organizing both virtual and onsite consultation events.
- Prepare materials for Tribal delegations and museum staff.
- Support documentation related to consultation and repatriation activities.
Research and Collaboration
- Conduct archival and community-based research.
- Assist curators in determining cultural affiliation of collection items.
- Participate in meetings with:
- Curators
- Registrars
- Legal representatives
- Museum departments
Collections Management
- Participate in collections inventory projects.
- Reconcile object records and physical inventory information.
- Maintain accurate documentation in collection management databases.
Categories
- Museum Studies
- Curatorial Practice
- Art History
- Indigenous Art
- Native American Studies
- Cultural Heritage
- Visual Culture
- Research
- Collections Management
- Archival Studies
- Community Engagement
- Museum Administration
Eligibility
Applicants should have experience and knowledge related to Indigenous art, museum collections, and cultural heritage practices. Eligible candidates should meet the following criteria:
Education
- Master’s degree in:
- Native American Studies
- Visual Studies
- Art History
- Museum Studies
- Related fields
Professional Experience
- Specialized knowledge of Native American art and visual culture.
- Minimum two years of experience in:
- NAGPRA work
- Curatorial practice
- Museum collections
- Cultural heritage institutions
- Curatorial fellowships or equivalent experience
Preferred Skills
- Experience working with Tribal governments and Indigenous communities.
- Knowledge of Indigenous consultation best practices.
- Familiarity with:
- NAGPRA regulations
- CalNAGPRA procedures
- Museum collections management systems
- The Museum System (TMS)
- NAGPRA databases
Program Benefits
- Full-time professional museum employment.
- Competitive annual salary ($78,000–$83,000 USD).
- Health, dental, and vision benefits.
- Retirement benefits through a 401(k) plan.
- Paid time off.
- Professional experience within one of the largest art museums in the United States.
- Opportunity to contribute directly to Indigenous cultural heritage preservation.
- Experience working with museum collections, Tribal communities, and repatriation processes.
- Potential hybrid working arrangement after training.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 2 August 2026
Location
San Francisco, California, United States
Additional Details
- This position is focused specifically on supporting compliance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and California NAGPRA (CalNAGPRA).
- The role requires sensitivity toward Indigenous cultural practices and ethical approaches to museum collections.
- Candidates should be prepared to work collaboratively with Tribal representatives, museum professionals, and legal/administrative teams.
- The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Reasonable accommodations are available during the application and interview process.
- Physical requirements include extended periods working at a computer and desk-based research activities.