Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at Arts Maebashi

Organisation: Maebashi City Government / Arts Maebashi
Location: Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Salary: From ¥273,312 per month (illustrative salary; varies according to experience)
Contract: Five-year fixed-term appointment
Working hours: 9:30 am–6:15 pm, including a 60-minute break
Start date: 1 April 2027
Application deadline: 4 November 2026, 8:00 am (Japan Standard Time)

Translated and adapted from the original Japanese job listing. Applicants must hold the curator qualification prescribed by Japan’s Museum Act. The recruitment process, including a specialist examination and interview, is conducted in Japan; applicants should consult the original Japanese-language requirements.

Maebashi City Government is recruiting a Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art to work at Arts Maebashi and related facilities in Maebashi, Japan.

The successful candidate will undertake research, collection management and conservation-related duties, alongside the planning and implementation of exhibitions, art projects and educational programmes.

This is a five-year fixed-term appointment, offering an opportunity for an experienced museum professional to contribute to the city’s modern and contemporary art activities.

Key responsibilities

The Curator will be responsible for:

• Conducting research and investigations relating to artworks.
• Overseeing the documentation, storage and care of artworks.
• Planning, organising and implementing exhibitions.
• Developing and delivering art projects.
• Contributing to educational and public engagement programmes.
• Undertaking other curatorial duties at Arts Maebashi and related facilities.

Eligibility and requirements

Applicants must meet all three of the following requirements:

• Have been born between 2 April 1966 and 1 April 2002, inclusive, and have graduated from a university recognised under Japan’s School Education Act.
• Have at least two years of professional experience in project planning, operations, editing, design, publishing or related work at museums or similar institutions.
• Hold the curator qualification prescribed by Japan’s Museum Act.

Professional experience requirements

Qualifying professional experience must generally involve employment of at least 30 hours per week for a continuous period of one year or more.

Eligible experience may include employment in private organisations or national and local government institutions.

Successive contracts in the same role may be combined where the employment period exceeds one year. Overlapping periods of employment cannot be counted more than once.

Periods of absence from work lasting one month or longer are generally excluded, except for maternity leave.

Applicants who pass the selection process will be required to provide documentation verifying their professional experience.

Applicants must also satisfy the eligibility provisions of Japan’s Local Public Service Act, including the statutory disqualification criteria under Article 16.

Salary and benefits

The monthly salary is determined individually according to qualifications, previous professional experience and the nature of the applicant’s work.

Illustrative monthly salaries, including the 4% regional allowance, are:

• ¥273,312: University graduate with four years of relevant professional experience, aged 26 at appointment.
• ¥294,528: University graduate with ten years of relevant professional experience, aged 32 at appointment.
• ¥359,736: University graduate with twenty years of relevant professional experience, aged 42 at appointment.
• ¥377,312: University graduate with thirty years of relevant professional experience, aged 52 at appointment.

Additional benefits may include:

• Biannual bonuses.
• Regional allowance.
• Commuting allowance.
• Housing allowance of up to ¥28,000 per month.
• Dependent allowance.
• 20 days of annual paid leave.
• Sick leave and special leave, including marriage, parental, caregiving and summer leave.

Image: Courtesy of Kikukawa