Senior Curator, Asian Export Art, Asian Civilisations Museum

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Senior Curator, Asian Export Art, Asian Civilisations Museum
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National Heritage Board
The Asian Civilisations Museum is the only museum in the region devoted to exploring the rich artistic heritage of Asia, especially the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans. Opened in 1997 and in its present building by the Singapore River since 2003, the museum traces its roots to the Raffles Museum, founded in the middle of 19th century. ACM focuses on the many historical and artistic connections between the cultures of Asia, and between Asia and the world.
Purpose of the Job
This is a call for a Senior Curator on Asian Export Art. A key collection strength of the ACM is its Asian Export Art collection which covers largely works of art produced in China (primarily), Japan, South and Southeast Asia for external markets or other patronage from the early modern period to the 19th or 20th centuries. This collection is primarily displayed in the Maritime Trade galleries to foreground stories and histories of trade flows, connections, and networks, exchange of artistic and cultural ideas within Asia, and between Asia and the world.
Curators develop and manage the collections and exhibitions of the museum. They collect, research, interpret, and make the collections accessible to the public through exhibitions and interpretive displays. They undertake project management and administrative functions to ensure smooth running of the Museum to meet Singapore's National Heritage Board's aim of cultivating public awareness of the cultural inheritance of Singaporeans.
As a team leader, the Senior Curator is responsible for leading the strategic and annual work planning for the Curatorial team and is accountable for the administration and operational management of the team, including staff supervision and performance management, budget management, policy development, fundraising, physical resources and work environment. As a member of the museum's Senior Team, the Senior Curator takes a lead role in supporting delivery of the museum's strategic objectives and promoting the museum's values internally and externally.
What you will be working on
Responsibilities
Collection development and exhibition planning
Lead the implementation of a plan for the strategic development of the museum's collection of Asian Export Art
With the Director and Principal Curator, develop a long-term exhibition schedule in accordance with the museum's strategic plan. This includes: Establishing and managing a process for the assessment and selection of exhibition proposals incorporating input from internal and external stakeholders; Initiating and developing concepts for exhibitions; Development of budgets for exhibitions
Source and negotiate travelling exhibitions from overseas
Schedule and oversee implementation of thematic displays (where applicable) or object rotations in the museum's permanent galleries
Conceive, develop, and publish exhibition catalogues, scholarly articles, and related works, including via digital formats
Respond to correspondence relating to the collection and assist the public and visiting scholars; work with scholars throughout the field to expand the collection's narrative
Strategic partnerships & stakeholder relations
Initiate and maintain strategic alliances with relevant museums, cultural institutions, community groups, universities, and other stakeholders to promote use of and access to the museum's collection
Manage relationships and partnerships pertaining to collaborative research
Work with the Director and Development team to cultivate and steward relationships with donors and Board members, as well as scholarly community collectors and dealers, as required
Team leadership and staff management
Monitor implementation of work plans and development plans for individual team members, ensuring that team members complete assigned tasks within agreed timeframes
Ensure staff have the appropriate level of skills and training for tasks they are required to undertake
Give regular informal feedback to team members and undertake formal performance reviews
Establish and implement effective communication strategies within the team, and maintain a positive work environment to ensure that team members are productive and motivated
Administration and organisational responsibility
Ensure that all museum policies, procedures and work practices are implemented and adhered to
Manage risk associated with exhibitions and collections
Work with Principal Curator to prepare and manage annual operational budgets for the curatorial department
Share relevant information with colleagues and contribute to effective internal communication
Contribute to the preparation of sponsorship grant and other funding applications for museum curatorial initiatives
Collaborate with colleagues throughout the museum and the broader field of art history on related projects and programs
Requirements
Ph.D in Asian art history, with at least 10 years of relevant research or work experience in a museum with equivalent focus on Asian art and cross-cultural studies with at least 3 years at a senior level
Demonstrated experience in planning and managing high quality exhibitions with a focus on engaging audiences in an accessible manner
Demonstrated scholarly achievement through publications or exhibitions and/or exhibition catalogues
Demonstrated experience leading teams and managing performance
Demonstrated experience planning and managing budgets
Effective communicator with excellent writing skills; Proficiency in English is a must. Competency in a major Asian language (e.g. Chinese, Japanese and so on), both as a language and with exposure to literary and historical sources would be advantageous
Outstanding organisational, time management skills and ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and achieve targets
Ability to communicate and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders from a wide range of backgrounds
Able to work independently and as part of a team
All applicants will be notified on whether they are shortlisted or not within 4 weeks of the closing date of this job posting.
What we are looking for
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Art/Creative
Industries
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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