Department: Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA)
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $65,000 – $75,000 per year
Compensation Band: OS-OA08-Fiscal Year 2022-2023
FTE: 1.0
Application Review Begins
July 4, 2023; open until filled.
Special Instructions to Applicants
For consideration, please submit the following:
– A cover letter that outlines your skills, experience, and qualifications related to this position
– An updated resume
– Three professional references
Department Summary
The University of Oregon’s art museum, The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA), opened its doors to the public in 1933. Designed by Ellis F. Lawrence, UO Dean of Architecture & Allied Arts at the time, the museum was built to house the Murray Warner Collection of Oriental Art-more than 3,700 works of art given to the University of Oregon by Gertrude Bass Warner. After a major renovation and expansion, the museum reopened in 2005 at 70,000 square feet, twice the original size. Over 20,000 square feet are dedicated to museum exhibitions and related programs serving the academic university and community at large.
The only academic art museum in Oregon accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA) features engaging exhibitions, significant collections of historic and contemporary art, and exciting educational programs that support the university’s academic mission and the diverse interests of its off-campus communities. The collection consists of 17,000+ works of art across all media with extensive holdings in Asian art (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean), Pacific Northwest art, Russian icons, European and American modern and contemporary art, and growing strength in Latin American art. Special exhibitions galleries display works from the collection and works on loan, representing many cultures of the world, past and present. The JSMA continues a long tradition of bridging international cultures and offers a welcoming destination for discovery and education centered on artistic expression that deepens the appreciation and understanding of the human condition.
Position Summary
The University of Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art is seeking a Curator of Contemporary and Traditional Chinese Art. This is an exciting opportunity to oversee, develop, research, and present Chinese contemporary art, with a special focus on the Jack and Susy Wadsworth Collection of Contemporary Chinese Photographs, in conjunction with modern and traditional Chinese art, and to assist as necessary with the museum’s other Asian collections and projects.
This position reports to the Chief Curator and is focused on the development of a robust curation of contemporary and earlier Chinese art and related education initiatives. In this role, you will curate, organize, and implement exhibitions (in the range of $10,000 – $100,000), assist with inventory and management of the Chinese collections, recommend acquisitions, and research and write Chinese publications. A specific project of the Curator of Contemporary and Traditional Chinese Art will be to develop and present a series of exhibitions drawn from and inspired by the Jack and Susy Wadsworth Collection of Contemporary Chinese Photographs.
You will work closely with on- and off-campus communities to build museum engagement and organize major events, including those planned to help sustain and build the museum’s relationships in the diverse regional and state Asian and Asian American communities. You will have the ability to strengthen the JSMA’s standing as a nationally recognized teaching museum by contributing to the museum’s energetic academic engagement work across the curriculum and across campus.
Minimum Requirements
• MA in art history, with a demonstrated interest in and experience with contemporary or modern Chinese art.
• Coursework focused on and/or significant research and curatorial experience with contemporary, modern, and traditional Chinese art.
• 2 years’ experience working on relevant museum or curatorial and academic projects.
• Bilingual (Chinese/English): essential for communicating with museums, galleries, artists, and collectors in China, and other Chinese-reading/speaking countries to support JSMA exhibitions, programs, collections research, development, and fundraising and to further the JSMA’s strategic plan.
• Teaching and/or guest lecturing experience in areas of contemporary, modern and/or traditional Chinese art history and museum practice.
Professional Competencies
• Demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively with diverse internal and external constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work collaboratively with staff, guest curators, faculty, students, artists, collectors, donors, and volunteers.
• Effective communication skills, including strong public speaking skills.
• Excellent research and data management skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Office and Outlook Exchange.
Preferred Qualifications
• PhD in art history, with a focus on contemporary or modern Chinese art.
• A record of published writing for museum and/or academic projects.
• Two years’ of curatorial experience in an academic art museum.
• Experience researching and presenting Chinese art for museum acquisition and exhibition.
• Strong track record of conceptualizing and organizing contemporary, modern and/or traditional Chinese art exhibitions.
• One year experience writing grants with a record of increased responsibilities and budget management.
• Interest and experience working with community organizations, especially those serving Asian and Asian American audiences.
• Experience mentoring students at the graduate and undergraduate level.
• Supervisory experience.
FLSA Exempt: Yes
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits .
The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination .
In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report .
Advertised: Jun 13, 2023 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: