Assistant/Associate Curator to Curator of Pre-Modern Asian Art

To assist the VP of Arts & Culture/Director of Asia Society Museum to develop and implement the program of innovative and high-quality exhibitions and associated programs of pre-modern Asian art that will further enhance the reputation of Asia Society as a leading presenter of Asian art and culture in the United States and globally. To build partnerships and work with colleagues, both internal and external, to nurture support and widen impact of the museum’s exhibitions and collection.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To lead to author the museum’s exhibition and collection strategy for pre-modern Asian art
• To propose and implement exhibitions of pre-modern Asian art, including traveling exhibitions focusing on the Mrs & Mr. John D Rockefeller 3rd collection of Asian art (the “Rockefeller Collection”) with an emphasis on new scholarship.
• To work/liaise as an in-house curator or co-curator with external curator(s) to organize exhibitions of pre-modern Asian art—working in tandem with VP of Arts & Culture and Director of Exhibition and Collection Management as the main points of contact in order to manage the project in a timely and professional way.
• To work on the provenance research on select objects in the Rockefeller Collection.
• To assist Director of Exhibition and Collection Management in identifying objects in the Rockefeller Collection that need attention for conservation care
• To collaborate with Curator of Modern and Contemporary Asian and Asian Diaspora Art and Curator of Film to conceive exhibitions and associated programs giving new scholarly light to the Asia Society Museum collection, including the Rockefeller Collection.
• To collaborate with Curator of Learning and Outreach to help conceive contents of learning and outreach programs.
• To give public and private lectures on the Rockefeller Collection and museum exhibitions.
• To research and identify an artwork for potential acquisition (i.e., gifts) for the Asia Society Museum collection.
• To identify and cultivate collectors and donors (existing and potential) with the view to various levels of Asia Society and Asia Society Museum membership, donations of art works or support of exhibitions. This includes writing content narratives for grant applications and social media postings (e.g., Instagram, video and Podcast).
• To assist the VP of Arts & Culture and Development department to fundraise for the exhibitions and programs that Curator leads to organize.
• To oversee the documentation, interpretation, and display of the Rockefeller Collection.
• To deliver public and private lectures on the Rockefeller Collection and museum exhibitions.
• To conceive and support the development and execution of discursive programs that Asia Society organizes, such as biannual Arts & Museum Summit.
• To respond to questions on the Rockefeller Collection from public, media and professional colleagues.
• To author and edit essays and publications in relation to the Asia Society Museum exhibitions and Rockefeller Collection, in print format or online.
• To travel for research and/or donor cultivation, as needed.
• Work will require working after normal office hours for evening public programs and donor engagements and cultivation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Ph.D. in pre-1900 Asian art history, preferably Chinese art;
• 3-9 years related museum curatorial, university teaching experience, or combination of both;
• Proficiency in at least one Asian language, preferably Chinese;
• Wide knowledge of Asian art and culture;
• Interest in a broad range of Asian art, including modern and contemporary Asian art;
• Outstanding analytical, verbal, written, and overall communications skills;
• Proven organizational skills, with a strong ability to set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and think creatively;
• Ability to work cross-culturally with artists, collectors, donors and arts professionals from different educational and cultural backgrounds as well as familiarity with both non-profit and commercial art sector;
• A team player with positive attitude and sense of humor; and
• Exceptional interpersonal skills; strong ability to interact with the public and high-level collectors and donors and work collaboratively with diverse constituencies.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary Range: $75,000 - $100,000

Compensation within this range is determined by skills, experience, and organizational equity.

Asia Society offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage, a 403(b)-retirement plan, numerous paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, self-development hours, and more. Please visit asiasociety.org/about/careers and click on “Employee Benefits” to view our full benefits summary.

Benefit package highlights:

• An HRA plan (fully funded by the Asia Society) supplements our medical plan and covers the full annual deductible.
• After 1 year of service (1,000 hours), the Asia Society contributes 6% of gross earnings to an eligible employee’s 403(b) account, regardless of whether the employee makes their own contributions.
• The Asia Society offers Self-Development time off, including Self-Development Summer Fridays between July 4th and Labor Day.

ABOUT ASIA SOCIETY:

Founded in 1956, Asia Society’s purpose is to navigate shared futures for Asia and the world across policy, arts and culture, education, sustainability, business, and technology. We provide a platform for dialogue and encourage a diversity of views as we try to find the most effective ways forward. Headquartered in New York City, the organization has 16 Global Centres around the world.

Salary $75,000-$100,000

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this role, all applicants must submit a completed application online at: https://asiasociety.org/new-york/john-h-foster-curator-assistantassociate-curator-curator-pre-modern-asian-art

A completed application must include:

• Resume OR CVCover letter
• Salary requirements
• Subject line: John H. Foster Curator (Assistant/Associate Curator to Curator) of Pre-Modern Asian Art

Only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted. Please regard your submission as received unless your email is bounced back.

Asia Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer who values diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility in the workplace. Women and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.