Cantor Arts Center, Stanford - Patrick J.J. Maveety Curator of the Arts of Asia

Location: California, United States
Position Type: Museum Education
Submitted: Monday, May 7th, 2007

The Curator of Asian Arts, an endowed position, reports to the director, works with other curators, and is responsible for the development of this area of the collection, reviewing and redefining its scope when appropriate. The Cantor Arts Center is integral to a major research university, and the curator works with members of the academic community as teacher, facilitator, and museum professional. S/he may sit on University committees from time to time.

Primary responsibility is to bring energy and vision to the overall planning and development of the permanent collection, which includes objects in several media from China, Tibet, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia and the Philippines. The strengths of the collections are in the arts of China and Japan. We build on these strengths through selective purchases and the encouragement of gifts. An active changing exhibitions program supplements the display of the Cantor Arts Center collection. The curator will develop exhibitions, some of which will travel to other institutions. The curator is also responsible for soliciting and evaluating proposals for exhibitions organized at other institutions and coordinates the presentation at Stanford of those selected. The curator also solicits, encourages, and helps faculty members and qualified students to develop exhibition proposals that are derived from primary research. On occasion the curator may teach in the Department of Art or other suitable departments or programs, using the collection directly in the academic program.

This curator has the following specific responsibilities:

1. Collection Development

a. Develop a cooperative and productive relationship between the Center and the art community, cultivating potential corporate and individual donors and identifying desired gifts.
b. Be fully informed as to availability and prices of objects, the proposed dispersion of private collections, and other available resources.
c. Be accessible to all interested persons in the community, as a resource for information on specific objects or general areas of interest.

2. Collection Management

a. Work closely with relevant Center staff members and faculty to ensure the proper display, storage, conservation, and registration of all works of art within the Asian collections.
b. Recommend acquisitions and deaccessions that will strengthen the collection, in consultation with the director, other curators, relevant faculty, and other scholars.
c. Consult with the Center's conservator to determine preservation/conservation needs and priorities and possible solutions.
d. Consult with the registration staff on all matters of shipping and insurance having to do with works of art owned, loaned, borrowed, or being considered for acquisition by the Center.
e. Work closely with staff on photographic documentation and permanent records in digital and hard copy formats of collection information.

3. Exhibition Development

a. Collaborate with the director, collection and education curators, faculty and students in the conceptualization, development, planning, and presentation of the Center's collection, exhibitions, and publications, with emphasis on the art of Asia, including art from the contemporary period.
b. Develop, prepare, and maintain exhibition budgets, working within the infrastructure established for financial management.
c. Serve as liaison with other institutions and with galleries and collectors in the selection of works of art for exhibition, including the negotiation of loan arrangements. To consult with the curators, director, lead preparator and registrar team, exhibition specialist and other appropriate staff on plans for exhibition installations.
d. Work with the Associate Director to develop grant proposals for exhibition projects and publications and help to identify potential sources of support.
e. Integrate student work (whether in conjunction with a course or as independent study) with selected exhibition planning and preparation. Identify student curatorial assistants, apprentices, and volunteers and supervise their work.
f. Work with the external relations staff in developing plans for press coverage and promotion; write exhibition press releases and meet with press as needed.

4. Publications and Education

a. Research and write gallery introductory statements, labels, texts, and supplementary essays; to contribute to the Center's Journal, and other texts as needed.
b. Collaborate with colleagues, especially the Curator and/or Associate Curator for Education, on the imaginative development of materials that will make the Asian collection more accessible and relevant to other parts of the Center, the campus, and the community as a whole. Collaborate with other departments to bring to Stanford scholars as lecturers or visiting instructors.
c. Present or participate in appropriate public events.
d. Teach in Art History or Asian Studies when possible.

5. Campus and Community Relations

a. Serve as liaison within the University, encouraging the participation of diverse academic departments and student groups in using the resources of the Center and contributing to them. This should specifically include the various departments and programs focusing on Asia, and outreach to multi-cultural staff groups.
b. Encourage and facilitate the study of specific works in the collection, by scholars at Stanford and elsewhere, to fulfill the Center’s research and teaching mission.
c. Work closely with the external affairs office on matters of development, membership, and public relations as they relate to this curatorial area.
d. Encourage involvement of Stanford students, Center members, and others, in Asian art, helping to recruit and train docents, when necessary.

6. Collegial Responsibilities

a. Maintain a calendar of meetings and appointments and be generally accessible to colleagues.
b. Participate actively in a range of curatorial and staff meetings, and to assume some leadership responsibilities.
c. To meet deadlines for publications, documents, comments, or other written materials.

QUALIFICATIONS: An advanced degree in Art History or related field, with a Ph.D. preferred or equivalent scholarship, a minimum of three years museum experience, including involvement in exhibitions, publications, project and budget management, and achievement in field. Proficiency in one or more major Asian language. Experience with fundraising and donor cultivation are valuable. Teaching experience is desirable as is a willingness to teach and train undergraduate and graduate students in the area of expertise and in Center's collections and practices. Ability to help faculty integrate the use of the Center's collections into the teaching curriculum. Commitment and ability to foster appreciation and understanding of Asian Art through teaching, lecturing, and organizing exhibitions, and educational programs. Excellent communication and organizational skills essential.

Send cover letter and CV to Thomas K. Seligman Director, Cantor Arts Center, Stanford, CA 94305-5060

Contact:

Send cover letter and CV to

Thomas K. Seligman Director, Cantor Arts Center, Stanford, CA 94305-5060
Website: http://museum.stanford.edu/index.html