At The Huntington, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to support and promote the appreciation of the humanities, the arts, and botanical science. The Huntington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal law.
The Huntington
Founded in 1919, The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is a collections-based research and educational institution open to the public, housing world-class library, art, and botanical collections. Its mission is to support research and promote education in the arts, humanities, and botanical science and to display and interpret its extraordinary resources for diverse audiences.
The Culture
Here we are committed to the highest of standards in all that we do – from preserving and protecting the collections, to exhibitions, educational and scholarly programming, visitor and reader services, and beyond. Achieving excellence across these pursuits requires a diversity of perspectives, expertise, experience, and methodologies. We are better together. We believe an explicit commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion directly impacts and improves staff and audience engagement and experience.
Job Description
About the Role
The Assistant Bonsai Curator reports to the Horticulture Curator of Asian Gardens, utilizing a broad range of skills and abilities, ensures that The Huntington Bonsai Collection is maintained to the highest standards of display, quality, and care. They will go above and beyond curatorship and strive to exhibit the highest quality of work, setting the standard for worker expectations. The candidate will be expected to regularly supervise a large volunteer team and work closely with local bonsai organizations to foster and strengthen community relations with the Huntington. They will work closely with other departments to develop engaging programming, shows, events, and content related to bonsai, gardening, suiseki, kusamono, ikebana, and other cultural art forms when appropriate.
They will demonstrate a background of working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, using a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible approach.
Candidate Requirements
Advanced Horticultural Skills
Expertise in all aspects of bonsai development, history, design, display, cultural relevance, training and refinement at various stages of cultivation (raw stock, refinement stage, etc.)
Proficiency in pruning, wiring, styling, watering, repotting, pot selection, carving and deadwood preservation
Knowledge of various species of trees, shrubs and woody herbs suitable for bonsai cultivation
Identification and diagnosis of common pests, pathogens and environmental hazards (seasonal susceptibility to cold/pests, work with professionally licensed applicator as needed)
Thorough grasp of plant nutrition, when/what/how to appropriately fertilize bonsai at various stages of development
Comprehensive understanding of basic plant processes such as photosynthesis, vascular flow, cation exchange rate, hydrodynamic flow, etc.
Assessment and creation of customized soil mixtures for different outcomes and stages of growth
Familiarity with various methods of propagation (seed, grafting, air layering)
Curatorial Vision & Collection Management
Effective communication and planning skills regarding the development/creation of engaging programming, shows, events, and display related to bonsai, suiseki, kusamono, ikebana and other related cultural art forms
Collaboration with affiliate museums, bonsai collections, gardens, and local clubs to support the art of bonsai at The Huntington and to the community at large
Preservation of existing collections policies regarding donor representation/intentions
Flexibility in an institutional setting, utilization of approved administrative systems, and adherence to outlined methods of operations (de/accessioning system, new training policies etc.)
Management of day-to-day collection maintenance and growth (display court rotation and care)
Maintenance and inventory of necessary materials, tools, equipment, and supplies
Teaching
Instruction to diverse levels of student/volunteers on bonsai history, horticulture, design, training and display in a group setting and one on one (periodically conduct bonsai workshops)
Collaboration with The Huntington Education Department to develop age-appropriate programming for children/adults
Creation of an environment that encourages and facilitates a safe and positive work experience
Fundraising & Marketing
Conception and implementation of various fundraising strategies to generate the financial support required to sustain a historic bonsai collection
Cooperation with the Huntington Advancement Department to optimize opportunities for financial, collection, and in-kind gifts
Development of content through traditional and new social media platforms to support The Collection and affiliate community members
Community Ties
Establishment of an identity in the Southern California bonsai community to help sustain necessary levels of engagement
Fostering of a partnership and mutual trust with local bonsai organizations to ensure productive fundraising and collection sustenance
Provision of lecture/demonstrations on various topics regarding bonsai to local clubs and organizations
Representation of The Huntington as an “Ambassador of Bonsai” when attending all functions (regional/national/international bonsai conventions, conferences, etc.)
Other Duties
Maintenance of public display areas and surrounding gardens, paths, fences, and related features
Collaborative spirit and the ability to work efficiently with colleagues from different departments
Work extra hours on weekends and evenings during special functions, and to ensure basic needs of the collection are met (watering, seasonal upkeep, etc.)
May perform other related tasks as assigned
Preferred
Minimum 3 years of professional bonsai growing experience as it relates to the management and care of a display quality collection
Familiarity with traditions, customs and culturally equivalent styles of bonsai from different countries (Japan, China, Kora, Vietnam, etc.)
The ability to work autonomously and proactively with minimal supervision
Strong writing and speaking skills in English
Working Conditions
Must be able to work in all weather conditions including intense heat, cold, rain, and wind
Routine use of ladders/stairs in elevator free areas of the garden
Routinely perform physical work in the gardens which may include bending, pulling, stooping, squatting, lifting, digging and/or hauling garden waste for prolonged periods of time
The ability to consistently lift and carry up to 50 lbs. on a regular basis
Use of basic garden hand and power tools expected
Compensation & Benefits
We provide competitive compensation, generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees including:
Pay Range: $65-$70k annually. Negotiable and commensurate on experience.
Medical, Dental, Vision
403(b) retirement plan and matching retirement plan with an outstanding employer match
Hybrid remote work schedule available for applicable positions
Considerable paid time off, including annual leave, sick leave, and holidays
Discounts for staff in The Huntington Store and restaurants
Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions
Free passes each month to welcome family and friends to visit the grounds
The Application Process
Please submit a cover letter and CV/resume as a single PDF attachment.
You will have the opportunity to submit additional documents on the “My Experience” section of the application.
EEO IS THE LAW
EEO IS THE LAW - SPANISH
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
Industries
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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