The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is the only museum in the region devoted to exploring the rich artistic heritage of Asia, especially the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans. Opened in 1997 and in its present building by the Singapore River since 2003, the museum traces its roots to the Raffles Museum, founded in the middle of 19th century. ACM focuses on the many historical, archaeological, and artistic connections between the cultures of Asia, and between Asia and the world.

Singapore’s history as a port city that brought people together from all over the world is used as a means of examining the cultures of Asia. Objects on display tell stories of the trade and the exchange of ideas that were the result of international commerce, as well as the flow of religions and faith through Asia.

As a Curator or Senior Curator in Island Southeast Asia, you have expertise in the arts and culture of the indigenous groups of the region (Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Nias, Mentawai, Kalimantan/Borneo, Bali, Sulawesi, Flores, Sumba, Maluku islands and the Philippines, etc.) including but not restricted to the Dayak, the Batak, the Minangkabau, the Iban, and the Toraja among others.

You will develop and manage the collections and exhibitions of the museum. If you are excited about collecting, researching, interpreting and making the collections accessible to the public through exhibitions and interpretive displays with the aim of cultivating awareness of cultural inheritance of Singaporeans.If you feel you have what it takes, we would love to hear from you!

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the curatorial team in conceptualising and developing storylines and themes for our permanent galleries and special exhibitions related to Island Southeast Asia
• Work collaboratively with collection managers, conservators, designers, and related parties to set up and project manage exhibitions
• Provide administrative support for curatorial activities and manage curatorial projects, including academic conferences and community consultations
• Conceive, develop, and publish exhibition catalogues, scholarly articles, and related works, including in digital formats
• Actively collaborate with all museum departments, including education, programming, marketing, and philanthropy
• In-depth involvement in acquisition of new artefacts, maintaining relationships with donors, cultivating new patrons, and securing loans of collections and objects from other institutions and private collectors
• Foster and maintain good working relationships with existing and potential patrons, trustees, key stakeholders and indigenous groups, and museum colleagues across the country and abroad, as well as with the academic community, art dealers, and collectors.
• Supervise Assistant Curators/Curators in their portfolios and professional development (for Senior Curator position)

Requirements

• MA, preferably PhD, in anthropology, art history, archaeology or a related social sciences/arts-humanities field, with at least five years of relevant research or work experience in a museum with equivalent focus on Island Southeast Asia. Candidates with at least 10 years of relevant research or work experience will be considered for the Senior Curator role.
• Express strong interest and possess specialised knowledge in Island Southeast Asia/Indo-Pacific art. In-depth knowledge into the latest developments and debates about the Austronesians is essential.
• Knowledge of the history of colonial collecting of ethnographic and archaeological material of Island Southeast Asia would also be advantageous.
• Excellent research and writing skills, with proficiency in English. Proficiency in other languages, particularly Indonesian or Malay would be advantageous.
• Strong organisational, project management, and inter-personal skills, able to work independently and as part of a team