Museum Career Opportunities

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Career Opportunities at Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia)

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) is currently seeking candidates for several professional positions in museum operations and curation. These opportunities span various levels of experience, from fellowships to senior leadership roles.

Available positions include:

Native American Fellowship
Asian Art Department Assistant
Chair of Exhibition Strategy
Japanese & Korean Art Curator
South & Southeast Asian Art Curator

SMSC Native American Fellowship

Position Type: Temporary (1 year), Full-time (37.5 hrs/week), Non-exempt
Hourly Rate: $26.66

This fellowship offers hands-on experience in Native American art curation, research, and community engagement. The fellow will work closely with the Arts of the Americas department, supporting projects related to exhibitions, NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act) compliance, and tribal partnerships.

Key Responsibilities:

Assist in curatorial research and exhibition development.
Support NAGPRA-related initiatives and documentation.
Collaborate with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and other tribal groups.
Participate in Native American programming and museum-wide initiatives.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; strong ties to Native communities.
Research, communication, and project management skills.
Passion for Indigenous art and cultural preservation.

Curatorial Department Assistant – Asian Art

Position Type: Part-time (30 hrs/week), Non-exempt, Union
Hourly Rate: $29.83 -$ 30.42

Provides administrative and curatorial support for the Asian Art department, assisting with exhibitions, collections management, and research.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage schedules, travel, and correspondence for curators.
Coordinate exhibition logistics (checklists, labels, loan agreements).
Update collection records in the TMS database.
Assist with budgeting and financial tracking.

Qualifications:

College coursework in art history/humanities; BA preferred.
2+ years of administrative experience; familiarity with Asian art (Chinese art a plus).
Proficiency in Microsoft Office; detail-oriented and organized.

Chair of Exhibition Strategy

Position Type: Full-time, Exempt
Salary: $165, 000 -$ 170,000

Leads Mia’s exhibition program, shaping long-term strategy (5–7 years ahead) and forging partnerships with global institutions.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop high-profile exhibitions that align with Mia’s mission.
Oversee cross-departmental teams (curatorial, design, marketing).
Negotiate co-productions with other museums.
Supervise the Head of Exhibition and related staff.

Qualifications:

MA in Art History (PhD preferred); 10+ years in museum leadership.
Proven track record in exhibition planning and scholarly research.
Strong budgeting, diplomacy, and team management skills.

A. W. Mellon Assistant/Associate Curator of Japanese & Korean Art

Position Type: Full-time, Exempt, Union
Salary: $60, 000 -$ 100,000

Focuses on researching, exhibiting, and expanding Mia’s Japanese and Korean art collections.

Key Responsibilities:

Curate permanent gallery rotations and special exhibitions.
Conduct scholarly research and publish catalogues.
Propose acquisitions and steward donor relationships.
Collaborate with conservation and education teams.

Qualifications:

MA in Japanese/Korean art history (PhD preferred); fluency in Japanese.
3+ years of curatorial experience; exhibition/publication record.
Strong communication and community engagement skills.

Jane Emison Assistant Curator of South & Southeast Asian Art

Position Type: Full-time, Exempt, Union
Salary: $60, 000 -$ 80,000

Dedicated to the study and display of South & Southeast Asian art, from ancient to contemporary works.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop exhibitions and interpretive materials.
Research and propose acquisitions/deaccessions.
Engage with scholars, donors, and diaspora communities.
Collaborate on conservation and gallery installations.

Qualifications:

MA in South/Southeast Asian art history (PhD preferred); language skills (e.g., Hindi, Thai) a plus.
3+ years of curatorial experience; strong research background.