Department Information

Since its establishment in 1941, the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University (IU) has grown from a small university teaching collection into one of the foremost university art museums in the country. A preeminent teaching museum, its internationally acclaimed collection includes more than 45,000 objects representing nearly every art-producing culture throughout history. Collection areas include African art, ancient art, Asian art, global contemporary art, European and American Art, Indigenous art, Oceanic art, and prints, drawings, and photography. In 2020, the Eskenazi Museum of Art completed a $30 million renovation of its acclaimed I. M. Pei–designed building, which now features seven new galleries, four new centers (Education, Conservation, Curatorial Studies, and Prints, Drawings, and Photographs), and three art study rooms.

Position Summary

A highlight of the museum’s outstanding collection is its approximately 3,500 works of art from South, East, Southeast, and Central Asia, as well as Islamic arts. The Asian objects, paintings, and works on paper span 5,000 years. Important groups of works include Thai ceramics, Indian miniature paintings, and Japanese prints, ceramics, and baskets.

IU is also home to a Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, which includes a collection of related Asian objects; a leading East Asian Studies Center; a Central Eurasian Studies Program; an Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center; and a Foreign Language Studies Program that teaches over 80 languages—more than any other school in the United States. These resources on campus complement the Eskenazi Museum’s strong collection of the arts of Asia.

The museum seeks a thoughtful and passionate individual who will serve as the Pamela Buell Curator of Asian Art. We seek a candidate with expertise in the arts of Asia who is also capable of overseeing our collection of Islamic art. The curator will be a scholar of the highest order who possesses the ambition and skills to create and manage a robust program to research, teach, exhibit, and publish the museum’s collections and develop engaging special exhibitions that contextualize Asian art within current topics of interest. As part of the Eskenazi Museum’s curatorial team, the successful candidate will collaborate with colleagues throughout the institution, especially in the areas of curatorial and education, to activate the museum’s collection and exhibitions and support the museum’s mission and strategic plan. The individual must work closely with IU faculty and students and be skilled at establishing productive relationships with departments across the university. The curator will also teach one class approximately every three semesters; the topic, level, and timing will be coordinated in consultation with the department of art history.

The successful candidate should possess an MA and preferably a PhD. The candidate should have demonstrable museum experience with a record of accomplishment in successfully producing significant exhibitions, publications, and public programs. Some teaching experience is preferred. The position is a non-tenured faculty appointment. Rank (Assistant Curator, Associate Curator, or Curator) will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Major Job Responsibilities

1. Work closely with the director of curatorial affairs and the museum’s director to develop an exciting vision and strategy for an ambitious research, exhibition, and publication program for the arts of Asia at the Eskenazi Museum of Art.
2. Research and document the Museum’s collection of Asian art for object identification, provenance purposes, display, and publication.
3. Develop and implement a plan to grow the museum’s permanent collection in the arts of Asia, with a special focus on contemporary art, in consultation with the director of curatorial affairs and the curator of contemporary art.
4. Ensure professional care of the permanent collection and loans with registrar and conservation departments; identify conservation needs and treatment in dialogue with conservation; establish priorities for framing, mounting, and storage with registrar and installation departments.
5. Collaborate with the education department to develop compelling public programs and interpretive materials.
6. Develop art history courses that support degree offerings.
7. Mentor graduate assistants, interns, and other students in research, curatorial projects, and professional paths.
8. Present public lectures and gallery talks and seek opportunities to work with university colleagues and community partners on innovative programs and initiatives.
9. Maintain an active research and public profile by collaborating with colleagues in other institutions or organizations, publishing in the field, and/or presenting papers at conferences.
10. Work closely with the development department to cultivate patrons and collectors for possible gifts and assist with fundraising for exhibitions, acquisitions, and programs. Seek out and manage grant applications. 
11. Assist with marketing materials and press as needed.
12. Prepare and manage relevant curatorial budgets for exhibitions, collection displays, and travel.
13. Occasionally work evening and weekend hours, with some travel expected.

Preferred Skills and Knowledge

1. MA required, PhD preferred in art history or a related field.
2. Possess a broad and deep knowledge of the arts of Asia and some familiarity with Islamic arts.
3. Strong record of research, scholarship, and public speaking, with experience organizing exhibitions and producing publications of the highest quality.
4. Proven collaboration with colleagues, donors, and community partners.
5. Object-based teaching experience and dedication to training and mentoring the next generation of art historians and curators.
6. Demonstrated skill at strategically building a collection through gifts and purchases.
7. Knowledge and understanding of museum ethics and principles, especially with regard to issues of provenance.
8. Some experience relating to the conservation of works of art.
9. Excellent communication, administrative, and organizational capabilities.
10. A high degree of professionalism and collegiality.

Interested candidates should review the application requirements and submit their application at https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/19035. For best consideration, please apply by July 28, 2023. We anticipate the earliest possible start date will be November 1, 2023. Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to Danielle Johnson, PhD, Director of Curatorial Affairs, Eskenazi Museum of Art, Indiana University, 1133 East Seventh Street, Bloomington, IN 47405-7509, dj87@iu.edu

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.