Institution:   Seattle Art Museum (SAM), Curatorial, Nonprofit
Location:   Washington, United States
Position:   Curator of Japanese and Korean Art

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) seeks applications for the position of Curator of Japanese and Korean Art, which has been funded through a generous grant from the Atsuhiko and Ina Goodwin Tateuchi Foundation.

The curator has primary responsibility for the development, presentation, and interpretation of the Museum’s collection of Japanese and Korean art and is expected to play a leading role in the development of exhibitions and programs. The curator is also responsible for representing SAM and fostering relationships with a broad range of external constituencies.

SAM is a vibrant museum with three sites in different Seattle neighborhoods.
Our vision statement is “SAM Connects Art to Life,” and all of our activities proceed from a desire to deepen the relationship between art and audience. In 2007 the Museum expanded the downtown building and introduced a new approach to installing the collection in which intersections between cultures and between past and present are emphasized.
We encourage collaborations with other departments, with artists, and with other cultural institutions.

The Asian collections are primarily showcased in the museum’s 1933 building, now called the Seattle Asian Art Museum, located in Volunteer Park. In 2009 about 100 masterworks from the collection traveled to five venues in Japan under the exhibition title Luminous Jewels: Masterpieces of Asian Art from the Seattle Art Museum. An expanded version of the exhibition, Luminous: The Art of Asia is currently on view at the Seattle Art Museum downtown.

The Japanese collection is one of the finest outside of Japan and one of the top five in the United States. Several of its nearly 3000 objects would be registered as Important Cultural Property if still in Japan. Ink paintings, calligraphy, Buddhist sculpture and metalwork are important highlights, as are ceramics dating from the third millennium BC to the 20th century. Masterpieces include Deer Scroll by Tawaraya S  tatsu (1576- 1643), with calligraphy by Honami Koetsu (1558-1637), and a section from the handscroll Hell of Shrieking Sounds from the Jigoku zoshi (early Kamakura period).  A suiboku landscape attributed to the 15th-century artist Shubun, a pair of folding screens, Scenes of Life In and Around the Capital (Rakuchu rakugai-zu), and a selection of Ukiyo-e paintings are also noteworthy. The Japanese textile collection is one of the strongest outside of Japan thanks to a donation of almost 100 works from Bagley and Virginia Wright in 1989 and a subsequent gift of 550 textiles in 2001 from the Christensen Fund. Significant recent gifts include a group of 100 modern Japanese paintings from the collection of Griffith and Patricia Way, and 60 ukiyo-e prints donated by Allan and Mary Kollar.

The Korean collection is small but growing, with particular strength in ceramics and contemporary ceramics and calligraphy.

We are seeking creative, energetic candidates with:

a Ph.D. in Art History with an emphasis in Japanese and Korean art
and minimum four years of curatorial experience preferred;
consideration given to candidates with M.A. degree and
extraordinary museum experience; knowledge of contemporary Asian
art also desirable

demonstrated ability to speak and write in Japanese; knowledge of Korean language desirable

demonstrated ability to speak and write in the English language.

a strong track record of conceptualizing and organizing exhibitions

first-hand knowledge of the Japanese art world and a working network of colleagues in the field

experience working with and advising collectors

strong leadership and ability to work and communicate effectively with many different constituencies including colleagues, trustees, artists, press, dealers, the public

superior written and verbal communication skills

a proven ability to handle a variety of tasks concurrently in a complex environment

commitment to the permanent collection and experience working with conservators

experience raising funds for projects

Qualified applicants should view the complete job posting at
http://www.seattleartmuseum.org /jobs.
Applicants will be asked to submit a completed application, cover letter,
curriculum vita, and references.
Deadline for applications: December 15, 2011.

Seattle Art Museum is committed to diversity and inclusion.  Qualified individuals who bring a diverse perspective are especially encouraged to apply.

We will consider reasonable accommodations for those applicants with disabilities who may need a reasonable accommodation to perform the
essential functions/duties.    Please contact the Human Resource
Department for additional information.

Contact: Qualified applicants should view the complete job posting at http://www.seattleartmuseum.org /jobs.

Applicants will be asked to submit a completed application, cover letter, curriculum vita, and references.

Website: www.seattleartmuseum.org