Associate Curator / Curator, Asian Art

RISD - Rhode Island School of Design; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

RISD Museum invites applications for the Curator/Associate Curator of Asian Art. The roleDevelops the collection, guides exhibitions, and contributes to teaching and public programs in alignment with RISD’s strategic plan.

We seek an experienced curator with a strong publication record, a focus on Asian art (Japanese works on paper preferred), and a proven ability to cultivate donors and build collaborations across departments. Hybrid schedule and annual exhibitions are expected.

Qualifications

• Record of scholarly publications and/or exhibitions.
• Master’s or equivalent combination of education and experience required; Ph.D. preferred.
• Specialization in Asian art, with emphasis on historical objects and periods.
• Expertise in Japanese art, particularly works on paper, strongly preferred.
• Fluency in a language relevant to the area of specialization is required; fluency in Japanese strongly preferred.
• Strong connoisseurship skills; familiarity with conservation and collection care.
• Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative, teamwork approach.
• Flexibility.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop the collection.
• Maintain knowledge of the art market, including availability and value of objects.
• Cultivate donors and potential donors; maintain dealer contacts.
• Recommend purchases, gifts, deaccessions, and methods of deaccessioning.
• Care for the collection; supervise inventories and cataloguing.
• Coordinate conservation standards with Registrar; oversee housing, storage and installation.

Skills

Connoisseurship

Public speaking

Collaboration

Japanese language

Education

Master’s degree in art history or related field

Ph.D. preferred

Job description

Job Summary

RISD Museum Established with the college in 1877, the RISD Museum currently contains more than 100,000 works of art and design from all over the world, representing diverse cultures from ancient times to the present. A strong staff and seven excellent curatorial departments (Ancient Art; Asian Art; Costumes & Textiles; Decorative Arts & Design; Prints, Drawing, and Photographs; Painting and Sculpture; and Contemporary Art) are a rich resource for undergraduate and graduate research. RISD's academic programs are well integrated with the museum, and the strategic plan envisions further strengthening of those ties. The museum is an important part of the bridge that RISD provides between Providence’s past and its future, meaningfully connecting RISD to its local community.

The Opportunity

As the sole curatorial-track position within the department, the Curator / Associate Curator of Asian Art is responsible for the development, and care of an important departmental collection, as well as its interpretation through exhibitions, publications, and participation in Museum teaching and educational programs in alignment with the museum’s strategic plan. Responsible for budgets and other administrative matters relative to individual projects. Must recognize and value diversity as central to excellence. Candidates who apply by October 23, 2026 will be assured full consideration.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the development of the collection.
• Maintain a sound knowledge of the art market, including the availability and value of objects.
• Maintain contact with dealers and cultivate donors and potential donors.
• Through the Director and Chief Curator, recommend purchases, gifts, deaccessions, and methods of deaccessioning (sale, exchange, transfer).
• Responsible for the care of the collection.
• Documentation of objects within the collection: provide basic cataloguing information to the Registrar for all objects acquired or already owned by the Museum; schedule and supervise inventories of objects in the collection; conduct and record or publish research on objects in the collection.
• Preservation of objects within the collection in consultation with conservation: work in collaboration with the Registrar to set standards for housing, storage, and installation and oversee the proper storage of all objects to ensure safety and accessibility; determine conservation priorities, develop a budget plan, recommend appropriate treatments, and supervise treatments; recommend loans and set standards for care; at the request of the Director, serve as courier. Work closely with the Museum Security Department to ensure the security of works of art.
• Develop exhibitions, educational programs, and interpretative texts.
• Interpret and display Asian Art–both generally and in the collection specifically–through exhibitions, publications, and educational programs (in coordination with all departments responsible for interpretation and audience engagement) that present works of art from the Museum and outside collections in alignment with the goals and priorities articulated in the museum’s strategic plan.
• Teach and make the collection accessible to RISD faculty and students, the broader academic community, and the general public, emphasizing inclusivity.
• Answer scholarly and public inquiries.
• Support the fundraising and public relations efforts of the Museum and the Development and Communications Offices. (Note: The degree of expected support will differ between the full Curator and Associate Curator roles.)
• Identify, cultivate, and educate supporters and potential supporters of the Museum through advice and special activities.
• Prepare grants, budgets, and project work plans with the Director, Chief Curator, Director of Finance Operations, and Institutional Advancement.
• As project director of grant-funded projects, responsible for the execution of work plan and budget, and with the Deputy Director, Exhibitions, Education & Programs, and Deputy Director, Museum Finance and Operations, adherence to deadlines and requirements for interim and final reporting.
• Provide timely information to the Communications Office and support its efforts.

Additional Functions

• Share day-to-day departmental responsibilities equitably with colleagues in a manner that promotes collaboration and teamwork.
• Contribute to the life of the Museum and college through participation in institution-wide and Museum-wide committees and projects, as requested and approved by the Director.
• Participate in the larger academic field and the museum profession through such activities as lectures, written contributions, panel and peer review service, and attendance at symposia, professional workshops and meetings, and local/regional arts events.
• Perform related assignments as requested by the Chief Curator.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

Appointment will be made at the Associate Curator or Curator level based on the candidate's years of curatorial experience, professional qualifications, scholarly publications and/or exhibitions.

Associate Curator: Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years of curatorial and related experience.
• Elementary experience with fundraising and collection growth having helped to secure sponsorships, manage and apply for grants, and build strong relationships with donors.

Curator: Experience

• Minimum of 5–7 years of curatorial and related experience.
• Possesses an active professional profile built through exhibitions, publications, and public speaking.
• Strong track record of cultivating significant relationships with key donors, including trustees, curatorial support groups, and collection‑adjacent committees including a proven track record of securing major acquisitions and stewarding high-level philanthropic commitments.

Qualifications (Associate Curator and Curator)

• Record of scholarly publications and/or exhibitions.
• Master’s or equivalent combination of education and experience required; Ph.D. preferred.
• Specialization in Asian art, with an emphasis on historical objects and periods.
• Expertise in Japanese art, particularly works on paper, strongly preferred.
• Fluency in a language relevant to the area of specialization is required; fluency in Japanese strongly preferred.
• Strong connoisseurship skills; familiarity with conservation and collection care.
• Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Collaborative, teamwork approach.
• Flexibility.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills.

Union

Union:

Work Schedule

Work Schedule: 35 hours per week; 12 months per year Employment Status: Full-time; Exempt; Regular Grade: Associate Curator 535EX Curator 550EX Work Modality: Hybrid

Eligible Documents Needed to Apply

• Resume (Required)
• Cover Letter (Required)
• Finalist candidates will be asked to submit a presentation

Salary Grade Structure

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

About RISD

RISD (pronounced “RIZ-dee”) is a creative community founded in 1877 in Providence, Rhode Island. Today, we enroll 2,620 students hailing from 59 countries. Led by a committed faculty, they are engaged in 44 full-time bachelor's and master's degree programs and supported by a worldwide network of over 31,000 alumni who demonstrate the vital role artists and designers play in today’s society. Beyond facts and figures, what is the spirit of this community? Through a cross-disciplinary curriculum of studio-based learning and rigorous study in the liberal arts, RISD students are encouraged to develop their own personal creative processes, but they are united by one guiding principle: in order to create, one must question. In cultivating expansive and elastic thinking, RISD seeks to activate a critical exchange that empowers artists, designers and scholars to generate and challenge the ideas that shape our world. RISD’s mission, at both the college and museum, is not only to educate students and the public in the creation and appreciation of works of art and design, but to transmit that knowledge and make global contributions. For more information, visit risd.edu and our.risd.edu.