Curator of Asian Art

The Denver Art Museum (DAM) seeks a dynamic and experienced individual to lead the museum’s Asian art department to a higher level of regional, national, and international prominence.

Qualified candidates are expected to exemplify the DAM’s internal values, which include being dynamic, respectful, inclusive, creative, and curious. The ability to maintain effective and positive working relationships with visitors, employees, volunteers, representatives of public and private entities, policy-making bodies, and contractors is critical to the success of this position.

As an institution, the Denver Art Museum is both a platform for and an amplifier of the voices of people of all races. DAM acknowledges that Black lives matter and that communities of color – Latinx, Indigenous, Black, among others – have been underrepresented in art museums over decades, both internally and externally. DAM is committed to elevating all voices, artworks and perspectives and strives to support racial equity inside and out. Candidates with a firm commitment to this institutional position are encouraged to apply.

The hiring salary for the position is $80,000-$100,000 based on experience and includes a comprehensive benefit package.

The successful candidate for this position must have leadership qualities and excellent communication skills. Much of the work at DAM is cross-departmental, and exhibitions are developed through advisory committees that often invite external perspectives. The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys collaboration, welcomes input from other museum staff and from external constituencies, and is willing to have guest- and co-curators for exhibitions in the department.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Take responsibility for the Asian art collections, including overseeing study, care, display, record keeping, publication, and provenance research
• Build and refine the collections and collaborate with collectors, patrons, curatorial colleagues, and cultural organizations to generate important exhibitions, publications, and public programs
• Actively cultivate funding for acquisitions, exhibitions, research grants, and fellowships through association with professional organizations, foundations, and patrons on regional, national, and international levels
• Prepare and give lectures, tours, and workshops to the public, professional colleagues, and other groups
• Maintain professional affiliations in scholarly organizations, professional societies, and relevant committees
• Participate in institutional planning and budgeting processes
• Supervise department support staff, volunteers, and contract workers as necessary
• Work collaboratively with educators and designers in the development, creation, interpretation, and installation of permanent galleries and special exhibitions organized or booked by the museum
• Work actively with the support groups
• Must be willing to travel extensively, if deemed safe (see Covid-19 restrictions)
• As an institutional member of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), and International Council of Museums (ICOM), the Denver Art Museum is committed to following the AAMD Report on the Acquisition of Archaeological Materials and Ancient Art and the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. All curators are required to abide by the above guidelines and are expected to comply with and conduct appropriate provenance research on all objects in their collections.

Job Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of Asian art, with specialization in a specific aspect. A specialization in Chinese art is sought.
• Passionate interest in Asian art, culture, history, religions, and traditions
• Strong international network of professional colleagues, collectors, dealers, and artists
• Substantial record of exhibitions and publications, and strong fundraising and public speaking abilities
• Proficiency in Asian language(s), Chinese preferred, and research capability in French and German is an asset.
• Must have an excellent command of spoken and written English, able to generate content in English for broad audiences

Education or Formal Training:

• M.A. or M.F.A. required, preferably in a related field
• Ph.D. preferred

Experience:

• Five or more years as a curator, or equivalent professional experience
• Experience in museum installations and collaborative projects
• Experience in publication editing, with a collaborative approach