Arts Curator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

About Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

For three decades, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) has been a dynamic hub for contemporary art in San Francisco's downtown community. We showcase innovative and thought-provoking work across visual arts, performing arts, film, and more, bringing together artists, audiences, and perspectives under one roof.

YBCA is a catalyst for conversations around critical social and cultural questions, using art as a medium for dialogue. We support artists who push boundaries, challenge conventions, and spark experimentation and innovation in the arts.

YBCA Mission, Vision, Values

Mission: To be a gathering space for creative expression that fosters meaningful connection for all.
Vision: To be a catalyst of creative exploration, expression, and innovation that empowers artists, inspires community, and drives lasting social change.

Values:

• Belonging – The arts are for everyone.
• Inclusive Collaboration – We are stronger together.
• Optimism – Art has the power to inspire change.
• Curiosity – Learning is at the center of artistic expression.

About the Role

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) seeks a collaborative, systems-oriented Live Arts Curator to support the launch of the Shared Stages Initiative, a new, one-year pilot program focused on building shared cultural infrastructure across Downtown San Francisco, with a particular focus on the Yerba Buena Arts District. This temporary position will also support the execution of the FY27 performing arts season and will curate the FY28 live arts season at YBCA in collaboration with the Chief of Curatorial Initiatives. 

This role will serve as the operational backbone of the Shared Stages  initiative, which offers select local and downtown artists and arts organizations with subsidized access to YBCA’s professional performance venues, technical production teams, and shared marketing infrastructure. The Live Arts Curator will broker partnerships, manage shared-use logistics, and support collaborative live arts programming among YBCA and anchor institutional partners including San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD).

Working closely with YBCA’s Chief of Curatorial Initiatives and General Manager, production teams, and external partners, the Live Arts Curator  will design and implement systems that enable more coordinated, efficient, and sustainable collaboration across the arts ecosystem. The position combines curatorial work, program management, operations, partnership coordination, and live event production support within a highly collaborative environment.

This is an opportunity for a cultural producer interested in shaping new models of shared infrastructure, institutional collaboration, and civic cultural stewardship in service of the broader field. 

Primary Responsibilities 

Cross-Institutional Partnership Coordination

• Serve as the primary day-to-day manager for Shared Stages partner relationships
• Facilitate communication and alignment among artists, organizations, venue teams, and institutional stakeholders
• Facilitate collaborative planning meetings, learning circles, and partner convenings
• Manage relationships with anchor partners, including SFMOMA and MoAD

Shared Infrastructure and Operations

• Coordinate shared-use scheduling and logistics across YBCA venues
• Develop and implement a framework that includes standardized Shared Stages policies, selection criteria, operational workflows, governance protocols, and collaborative staffing models
• Manage venue access planning for collaborative performances, residencies, convenings, and public programs
• Liaise with production, front-of-house, marketing, and facilities teams to ensure seamless execution

Program and Production Management

• Support the planning and delivery of 6–8 collaborative live arts projects during the pilot year, involving 3-5 local and downtown artists or organizations
• Track timelines, deliverables, budgets, contracts, and production needs
• Develop artist and partner onboarding processes and implement as needed

Curatorial Work

• Curate a diverse creative portfolio designed to test which collaborative formats yield the highest audience engagement and artistic impact
• Guide the development and execution of the  FY27 season in collaboration with the General Manager and production teams
• Bring extensive knowledge of the field to engage in a dialogue with artists and companies under consideration for future YBCA seasons
• Source and help develop YBCA-presented performances for FY28

Audience Development and Communications Support

• Collaborate with YBCA’s marketing and communications teams on integrated audience development strategies
• Support cross-promotional initiatives and coordinated scheduling among partners
• Maintain shared calendars, planning tools, and communications workflows

Systems Building and Documentation

• Develop and maintain the Shared-Use Framework, including templates, operational standards, and internal systems
• Track pilot metrics and gather qualitative and quantitative evaluation data
• Develop reports, funding updates, and future scaling plans
• Identify operational efficiencies and opportunities for long-term sustainability
• Draft pilot evaluation and coordinate documentation and evaluation activities related to pilot outcomes

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in live arts programming, with demonstrated project leadership  and experience managing strategic partnerships and performing artists and companies
• Leadership experience in a performing arts organization, including a strong record of innovation, systems-building, and developing an artistic vision
• Demonstrated experience in developing effective collaborations and managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders
• Strong organizational and operational management skills
• Experience working with artists and cultural institutions
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Self-directed, able to work independently and effectively
• Applied knowledge of professional curatorial and programmatic principles, practices and procedures
• Flexible and collaborative
• Able to work evening and weekend hours in relation to performances and YBCA presentations
• Ability to create and successfully manage budgets
• Demonstrated organizational planning, problem-solving collaboration, and artist management skills
• Thrives in a highly collaborative environment that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, and works effectively with people of varied backgrounds, experiences, points of view, and aspirations

Who Should Apply?

Research shows that many candidates—especially those from communities most affected by inequities—apply only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. At YBCA, no one meets 100%.

If much of this role resonates with you, we encourage you to apply. We are interested in building a mission-driven, collaborative, and curious team, not in checking every box.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Proactive and entrepreneurial, with the ability to develop a programmatic framework from scratch 
• A collaborative connector across multiple institutions 
• Rooted in the local live arts ecosystem with extensive  knowledge of national and global artists
• A creative thinker with a talent for curatorial work and team-based management for live arts productions

If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is  $85,300/annually  based on part-time hours. Benefits include PTO & some holidays,ability to participate in the 403(b) Retirement Plan and potential access to SF City Option programs. Free/members admission price, discounts in the shop, and discounts on ticketed events at participating North American Reciprocal Museum institutions with your YBCA badge. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA) is committed to diversity in its programming and in creating a work culture and environment that is reflective of San Francisco Bay Area demography. The Center encourages and actively recruits applicants representing dimensions of difference that include — but are not limited to — age, national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, ability, sexual orientation, gender or political affiliation.

YBCA will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

Accommodations

YBCA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. To request an accommodation at any stage of the application or hiring process, please contact accommodations@ybca.org with the subject line “Accommodations Request.”

Health and Safety

At YBCA, we continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our community. Our current COVID-19 health and safety protocols meet or exceed local, state, and federal public health requirements. 

Application Status

Thank you for your interest in joining the YBCA team! After you apply, you’ll receive a confirmation email letting you know we’ve received your resume. Our recruiting team will review your application and reach out if your experience matches an open role.

We also invite you to upload your resume and join the YBCA Talent Community to stay connected and be considered for future opportunities as they become available. We wish you the best of luck in your job search!
Agencies and Recruiting Firms: Please note that we will only review applications submitted directly by candidates and do not accept resumes or pay fees to third parties. Any unsolicited resumes received will be considered the property of YBCA.