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.
Singapore’s history as a port city that brought people together from all over the world is used as a means of examining the history of Asia. Objects on display tell stories of the trade and the exchange of ideas that were the result of international commerce, as well as the flow of religions and faith through Asia.
Asian Civilisation Museum manages the Peranakan Museum. The Peranakan Museum (TPM) explores the art and culture of Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia and possesses one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of Peranakan objects. Galleries on three floors illustrate the cultural traditions and distinctive visual arts of Peranakans.
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.
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:
o Establishing and managing a process for the assessment and selection of exhibition proposals incorporating input from internal and external stakeholders
o Initiating and developing concepts for exhibitions
o 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
