Current Opportunities

Since 1971, Japan Society Gallery has been the premier institution in the United States for the display and interpretation of Japanese art and culture in a global context. Through groundbreaking exhibitions and related programs, the Gallery cultivates a broader understanding and appreciation of Japan’s contributions to global artistic heritage; explores the artistic interconnections Japan shares with Asia, the U.S., Latin America, and Europe; and celebrates the diversity of Japanese visual expression from prehistoric times to the present day.

The Gallery Director has supervisory, managerial, and curatorial authority over the Gallery and its program – consisting of at least two major exhibitions for three-month long openings coinciding with New York City’s major seasons for visual art programs in Spring and Autumn.

The Gallery Director will:

Conceive and implement a strategic vision for Japan Society Gallery aimed at establishing Japan Society as a leading venue for unique visual art and culture programs of Japanese and Japanese-related themes, bridging historical to contemporary artistic creations. Expand Japan Society’s national and international visibility to a broad and diverse public through programs, press promotion, and targeted outreach. Work with Development and Marketing functions to garner support from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Consult with and advise the President and leadership team on all aspects of programming.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conceive, develop, and implement exhibitions and visual art programs on Japan Society's premises that establish the organization as a leading venue for Japanese and Japanese-inspired art and culture.
• Cultivate and identify institutional, governmental, and individual co-organizers and guest curators; negotiate terms and conditions to reach formal agreements.
• Evaluate proposals for touring exhibitions received from other sources, and negotiate terms and conditions to reach formal agreements.
• Oversee development of exhibition checklists, scenarios, wall texts, object labels, and designs, in collaboration with guest curators for contents.
• Function as curator of exhibitions and visual art programs in specific cases.
• Identify suitable interior designers/architects/contractors when necessary for exhibitions.
• Ensure that the Gallery’s public spaces, storage areas, and information systems are maintained or improved to a high professional standard compliant with international norms.
• Ensure that the handling, registration, and display of all works of art loaned to Japan Society is carried out to a high professional standard compliant with international norms.
• Work with Media & Marketing department to establish a marketing plan and design concept, aiming to promote each exhibition uniquely and with an eye toward audience development.
• Develop concepts for catalogue and printed matter; oversee preparation and publication related to visual art programs, in collaboration with guest curators, publishers, editors, translators, and JS Design staff or external designers.
• Develop and oversee public programs to complement exhibitions, in collaboration with Gallery and other programming departments’ staff.
• Supervise the work of Gallery staff and oversee interns
• Ensure that necessary communication with guest curators, authors, editors, translators, designers, art handlers, and other contractors is taking place in a timely manner.
• Develop and control Gallery department's annual budget; collaborate with Development in researching and support writing fundraising proposals with
• Gallery staff members to federal, state, corporate, foundation or individual sponsors.
• Develop individual giving opportunities through network-building; attend social events in New York City and beyond.
• In collaboration with Media & Marketing team, develop press campaign for each exhibition, aiming for local, national, and international coverage; give media interviews, lead media walkthroughs, determine advertising budgets; sign off on press release and advertising copy.
• Represent and promote visual art programs through membership in national and international professional associations; develop and maintain contacts with museum curators, artists, and scholars in US, Japan, and beyond.
• Ensure that Japan Society’s permanent collection is stored, displayed, and maintained to a professional standard.
• Consult with and advise the President and directors of other programming areas at Japan Society on all aspects of visual art programming.

The position of Director of Japan Society Gallery requires a combination of curatorial and leadership/management skills. Candidates should have:

• MA or equivalent in Japanese art history or a related field.
• Excellent Japanese language reading and conversation skills.
• A significant record of leading curatorial responsibility for at least two large-scale exhibitions-with-catalogue.
• A national and international curatorial reputation for presenting Japanese art.
• A significant record of achievement in researching Japanese art is a plus.
• A strong professional network with museums, art collectors, Japanese art scholars and writers, inside and outside of Japan.
• At least ten years’ experience, both curatorial and managerial, working in an art museum or non-profit gallery at a senior level.
• Proven project-management and budget-control skills, as well as donor-relationship skills.
• High standards of professional integrity, good people skills, ability to improvise, and a strong work ethic.
• Develop and control Gallery department's annual budget; collaborate with Development in researching and support writing fundraising proposals with Gallery staff members to federal, state, corporate, foundation or individual sponsors
• Develop individual giving opportunities through network-building; attend social events in New York City and beyond.
• In collaboration with Media & Marketing team, develop press campaign for each exhibition, aiming for local, national, and international coverage; give media interviews, lead media walkthroughs, determine advertising budgets; sign off on press release and advertising copy.
• Represent and promote visual art programs through membership in national and international professional associations; develop and maintain contacts with museum curators, artists, and scholars in US, Japan, and beyond.
• Ensure that Japan Society’s permanent collection is stored, displayed, and maintained to a professional standard.
• Consult with and advise the President and directors of other programming areas at Japan Society on all aspects of visual art programming.

To Apply

Please send a resume and cover letter to wrahardjo@japansociety.org