Museum Curator (Shirley Z. Johnson Curator of Japanese Art)

Application Deadline : 18 May 2026 Location : Washington, DC Compensation : $85,447 - $143,913 / year Overview The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art opened in 1923 as America’s first national art museum and the first Asian art museum in the United States. It now stewards one of the world’s most important collections of Asian art, with works dating from antiquity to the present. Through an ambitious program of collecting, conservation, exhibitions, programming and research, both onsite and online, the museum serves as a global and national resource for understanding the arts and cultures of Asia and their interaction with America, past and present. By presenting the arts and cultures of Asia in their extraordinary richness, the museum furthers cross‑cultural understanding and aims to exemplify foundational ideals of curiosity, creativity and respect. Conditions of Employment Pass Pre‑employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated. Complete a Probationary Period. Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer. The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply. Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Duties and Responsibilities Creating innovative research projects that contribute to the international understanding and appreciation of Japanese art and culture. Providing leadership in the field of Japanese art and culture through projects, collaborations, and regular communication with specialists. Studying, cataloging, displaying, publishing, and expanding the museum’s collections of Japanese art. Developing and maintaining relationships with local, national, and international communities. Researching provenance on existing collections objects. Working with advancement teams to develop and strengthen donor relationships. Serving on museum‑ and Smithsonian‑wide committees and working groups. Qualification Requirements Basic Education Requirement : A) Degree: museum work; or in an applicable subject‑matter field. B) Combination of education and experience – courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience (described below) or additional education. C) Four years of experience (described below) that provided knowledge comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of the 4‑year course of study as shown in A above. Experience for IS‑11 : Assisting with the research, cataloging, documentation, and interpretation of museum collections in Japanese art or a related field. Supporting exhibitions, gallery rotations, publications, or other curatorial projects. Conducting object‑based research and preparing written materials for scholarly or public audiences. Assisting with collections stewardship activities, including provenance research, acquisitions support, or collections documentation. Working with internal staff and external scholars, lenders, artists, or community stakeholders on curatorial or programmatic initiatives. Experience for IS‑12 : Conducting independent research in Japanese art or a related field and producing scholarly or interpretive work. Planning and executing curatorial projects, including exhibitions, installations, publications, and collections‑based initiatives. Cataloging, interpreting, and managing works of art within a museum collection. Contributing substantively to acquisitions, provenance research, and ethical collections stewardship. Developing professional relationships with scholars, lenders, collectors, artists, and community stakeholders. Experience for IS‑13 : Serving as an independent curator or subject‑matter expert in Japanese art or a closely related field. Leading significant research, exhibition, publication, or interpretive projects from conception through implementation. Providing authoritative expertise on collections, acquisitions, provenance, and scholarly interpretation. Representing an institution in professional collaborations with national and international scholars, collectors, lenders, artists, and peer institutions. Contributing to advancement, donor engagement, strategic initiatives, and cross‑departmental institutional projects. Experience for IS‑14 : Serving as a senior curator or recognized subject‑matter expert in Japanese art or a closely related field. Leading major scholarly, exhibition, publication, or interpretive initiatives with institutional or field‑wide impact. Providing advanced authoritative expertise on collections, acquisitions, provenance, and scholarly interpretation. Building and sustaining significant professional collaborations with national and international scholars, collectors, lenders, artists, and peer institutions. Advising senior leadership on curatorial priorities, strategic opportunities, and matters affecting collections stewardship and interpretation. Advancing institutional goals through donor engagement, cross‑departmental leadership, and major strategic initiatives. Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Familiarity with provenance research and collecting standards. Strong interpersonal skills and experience engaging with the public. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse national and international constituencies. Outstanding analytical, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to convey complex ideas in an engaging manner to a range of audiences. Familiarity with museum collections databases, such as The Museum System (TMS). Experience working with artworks from other cultural areas, such as China, Korea, or Southeast Asia. Demonstrated expertise in three‑dimensional objects, such as ceramics, metalwork, or lacquer, in any period. Demonstrated ability to work with modern and contemporary art and artists. Equal Opportunity Employer . The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. For more information, review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures. To review the Smithsonian's EEO program information, please visit #J-18808-Ljbffr