Project Editor - Freelance

ABOUT THE LUCAS MUSEUM OF NARRATIVE ART

As the first museum to focus exclusively on storytelling through images, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art believes that visual storytelling can connect us and help shape a more just society. With a growing collection that encompasses artworks from across cultures, places, times, and mediums, including paintings, sculptures, murals, photography, comic art, book and magazine illustrations, and the arts of filmmaking, the Lucas Museum will explore narrative art’s potential to prompt questions, invite opinions, inspire community, and move people to think about the impact of images on our world.

Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson and led by director and CEO Sandra Jackson-Dumont, the Lucas Museum was designed by renowned architect Ma Yansong of MAD Architects with Stantec as executive architect and is under construction in Los Angeles’s Exposition Park. An 11-acre campus with extensive new green space designed by Studio-MLA will embrace the museum’s 300,000-square-foot building, which will feature expansive galleries, two state-of-the-art theaters, and dedicated spaces for learning and engagement, dining, retail, and events. www.lucasmuseum.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Editor is responsible for developing, reviewing, editing, and finalizing editorial materials necessary for the successful opening of the museum. The role involves working closely with the Managing Editor, other staff, and external vendors to ensure high-quality, consistent, and accurate content for various formats, including exhibition copy, object texts, audio guide scripts, signage, and more. This contract position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the museum’s inaugural publications, ensuring all editorial content is prepared to the highest standard for a public-facing audience.

This position is a 1099, 18-month contract opportunity.

• Develop, review, edit, and finalize key editorial products for the museum's opening, including an English language editorial style guide, approx. 400–500 object texts, high-level exhibition copy (e.g. title walls, in-gallery texts, and wall panels), a museum guide and map, scripts for audio guides, and other visitor-facing materials

• Collaborate with Spanish language editor to ensure all necessary Spanish-language materials are produced, including the Spanish language editorial style guide and bilingual signage, and are accurate and consistent

• Review, edit, and finalize tombstone labels for the museum's inaugural exhibitions

• Work with the Rights & Reproductions team to ensure all credit information is correctly included where required

• Provide guidance to copywriters and copyeditors working on other museum editorial products, such as press releases, marketing copy, signage, and newsletters, to ensure consistency with the museum’s editorial standards

• Develop and lead two editorial workshops for museum staff in Los Angeles, focused on best practices for writing and editing content for a museum context (dates and duration TBD), as necessary

• Coordinate with the Managing Editor to ensure the museum’s project management tools, primarily Airtable, are up to date and effectively tracking progress on all editorial projects

• Analytical Rigor: Simplifies complex problems by using critical thinking to evaluate problems, gathering information, incorporating multiple perspectives, understanding causes, and identifying best-possible solutions. Invests time in planning, discovery, and reflection to drive better decisions and more efficient implementations. Adopts an audience-centric approach, understanding the needs of the audience and incorporating them, as appropriate, into the decision.

• Courageous Communication: Intentionally works well with others both on the team and cross-functionally to achieve individual, team, department, or organizational goals. Values diverse input and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible.

• Collaborative Excellence: Displays courage when handling difficult conversations and genuinely and intentionally communicates. Relays key messages effectively, targeted to specific audiences. Identifies others' communication styles and perspectives, adjusting language and approach accordingly. Employs active listening to understand, rather than reply. Asks for, integrates, and values feedback from team, peers, and leaders.

• Adaptive Resilience: Thrives and grows in a rapidly changing and complex environment. Displays flexibility, activates networks, and adopts a continuous growth mindset to learn from mistakes and bounce back from adversity.

• Inclusive Interaction: Actively contributes to an environment in which all employees feel a sense of belonging, valued for their differences and empowered to participate and contribute freely.

• Bachelor’s degree in humanities, anthropology, or a related field (MA preferred), or relevant work experience in lieu of formal education

• Minimum of seven years of relevant editorial experience in both a larger editorial context and book publishing

• Relevant in-gallery experience, or experience working at or with museums, galleries, or other arts-related spaces is a significant advantage

• An exacting eye for detail and meticulousness, with the ability to help authors refine their work and ensure it meets the highest standards of clarity and accuracy

• Excellent decision-making, implementation, and change management skills

• Strong relationship management, interpersonal, and negotiation skills for working with internal teams and external contributors

• A proven track record of producing and publishing high-quality, content-forward copy and books

• Proactive, highly organized, and responsive, with the ability to adapt to a fast-paced, start-up environment

• Knowledge of Spanish is an advantage

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAIB

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art embraces diversity and equal opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents and supports a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The Lucas Museum fosters a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, whether based on race, national origin, gender, gender expression, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our team is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the best qualified people from a diverse candidate pool. Applications from traditionally underrepresented communities are encouraged.

The statements in this description represent typical elements, criteria, and general work performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the job.

MISSION AND VISION

We are a museum dedicated to the art of storytelling. Through visual storytelling the Lucas Museum expands the role of art and museums for society. The Museum inspires thought provoking ideas and conversations that are relevant within and beyond geographic boundaries. Our work radiates to catalyze more connected and empathetic spaces. The art of storytelling connects us to shape a more just society.

VALUES

Our internal and external practice is shaped by the following beliefs and behaviors.

PEOPLE FIRST

We meet people wherever they are (physically, intellectually, emotionally). Our inclusive practice connects who people are and what people find meaningful, to works of art and the work of our organization.

INSPIRED

We believe that art can move you to feel, think, reflect, and act.

COLLABORATIVE

We believe that nimble thinking and working together yields exponential results.

BRAVE

We approach our work and learning with courage, creativity, curiosity, and a sense of adventure.

4 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

ART

Amplify the social impact of Narrative Art through an approach that bridges the academic and the popular.

COMMUNITY

Connect to a broad and diverse public by create an institution rooted in impactful, respectful, sustainable relationships.

INCLUSION

Practice diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and belonging in all operational and programmatic aspects of our work.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Create a healthy and durable institution equipped to fulfill its vision and public mandate.

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art leads through a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both within the Museum and with the communities that we serve.

Hourly rate will be assigned commensurate to the successful candidates’ education, experience, and location. 

Pursuant to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the museum requires all who work on-site or conduct occasional meetings on-site to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of hire absent an approved medical and/or religious exemption. Upon hire, all new freelancers will receive detailed instructions on complying with this policy.  Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.