Organizer Information
The opportunity is offered by the Smithsonian Institution, one of the world’s largest museums, education, and research complexes. Within it, the National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA), located on the National Mall in Washington, DC, operates as a leading institution dedicated to the collection, preservation, study, and public interpretation of Asian art. Established in 1923 as the first national art museum in the United States with a focus on Asian art, NMAA holds one of the most significant collections of Asian artworks globally, spanning from antiquity to contemporary practice. Its mission centers on fostering cross-cultural understanding between Asia, the United States, and the broader world through exhibitions, research, publications, and public engagement.
Title & Description
Museum Curator Job Washington DC (Shirley Z. Johnson Curator of Japanese Art) – IS-1015-11/12/13/14
This position is a senior curatorial role focused on Japanese art within the National Museum of Asian Art. The curator will lead research, interpretation, acquisition, conservation, and exhibition development related to one of the most comprehensive collections of Japanese art outside Japan. The role is designed as a career ladder position with promotion potential up to IS-14.
The curator will contribute to shaping the museum’s intellectual direction in Japanese art, producing scholarly research, curating exhibitions, and engaging with international academic and cultural communities. The position is especially significant as NMAA expands its engagement with Japanese and Japanese American communities and advances ethical collecting practices. The curator will also help integrate Japanese art narratives within broader global and transpacific contexts.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Trust Fund Position (non-civil service Smithsonian employment)
- Appointment Type: Indefinite
- Schedule: Full-time
- Duty Location: Washington, DC, USA (Onsite)
- Salary Range: $85,447 – $143,913 per year (depending on grade level IS-11 to IS-14)
- Career Ladder: Promotion potential up to IS-14 based on performance, qualifications, and institutional needs
- Supervision/Reporting: Curatorial Department leadership within NMAA
- Employment System: Smithsonian Trust Fund employee (not federal civil service, but similar benefits structure)
Trust employees are funded through endowment revenue, grants, donations, and institutional income streams. While not federal employees, they work in parallel with federal staff under Smithsonian governance structures.
Position & Tasks
The curator will be responsible for a wide range of scholarly, curatorial, and institutional duties, including:
- Conducting advanced research on Japanese art and culture
- Designing and implementing original exhibitions and interpretive projects
- Cataloging and managing museum collections, including provenance research
- Publishing scholarly work and contributing to academic discourse
- Developing acquisition strategies and supporting ethical collecting practices
- Collaborating with international scholars, artists, lenders, and institutions
- Producing public-facing programs, lectures, and educational initiatives
- Strengthening donor relations and contributing to fundraising efforts
- Participating in internal Smithsonian committees and working groups
- Expanding engagement with Japanese and Japanese American communities globally
Categories
- Visual Art
- Art History / Curatorial Studies
- Asian Art (Japanese Art specialization)
- Museum Studies
- Cultural Heritage & Heritage Management
- Research / Academic Practice
- Exhibition Curation
- Contemporary & Historical Art Practices
Eligibility
Open to all qualified applicants eligible to work in the United States. No citizenship restriction is stated for the application, but proof of work eligibility is required upon hiring.
Applicants must meet one of the following experience levels, depending on grade:
- IS-11 to IS-14 progressive experience in curatorial or museum work
- Demonstrated expertise in Japanese art or related fields
- Strong academic and professional background in museum research, exhibitions, or collections management
Preferred qualifications include:
- International curatorial or scholarly experience
- Proven exhibition leadership
- Proven research output in Japanese or Asian art
- Familiarity with provenance and ethical collecting standards
- Experience engaging diverse global audiences
Program Benefits
- Competitive salary aligned with federal-grade equivalency
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Life and disability insurance
- 403(b) retirement plan
- Paid annual and sick leave
- Flexible spending accounts
- Transit and commuter benefits
- Access to Smithsonian institutional resources
- Museum, store, and program discounts
- Professional development within a world-leading museum system
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Updated CV or resume (including detailed work history and hours per week)
- Cover letter or statement of interest (if requested in portal)
- Portfolio of curatorial or scholarly work (exhibitions, publications, research samples)
- References (as required by Smithsonian hiring process)
- Proof of education equivalency (if obtained outside the United States)
- Documentation of professional experience relevant to museum or curatorial work
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 18 May 2026
- Appointment Type: Indefinite full-time position
Location
Washington, DC, United States
Additional Details
This is a high-level curatorial role with significant academic and institutional responsibility. The museum emphasizes ethical collecting, cross-cultural research, and international collaboration. The curator will operate at the intersection of scholarship, public engagement, and institutional strategy. The position also requires background checks and a probationary employment period.
As part of the Smithsonian system, employees contribute to a global platform for education and cultural diplomacy, engaging millions of visitors annually both physically and digitally.