Arlene & Harold Schnitzer Curator of Asian Art (Full-time)

Portland, OR 97205

Posted: 10/21/2026 Deadline: 12/02/2026 Employment: Full-time, Exempt Pay: $84,369.87 - $125,781.31 per Year Department: Curatorial Experience: Mid-Level

Company Description

Hello, art person! We’re so glad you’re here.

When you think of an art museum, you might picture paintings or sculptures. But art is so much more than the “traditional” forms you’re used to seeing in galleries. Nobody knows that better than Portland. Our city is bursting with all kinds of art forms–from craft beverages and comic books to artisan chocolate and collectible sneakers. There’s no one way to make art, and there’s no one way to be an art person.

That’s why you belong here. We’re a place that has room for all kinds of art (and art people).

We are a dynamic institution with multiple locations. Adjacent to the Museum campus in downtown, Portland, PAM CUT // Center for the Untold Tomorrow is an inclusive, modern, and welcoming hub serving a broad range of artists and audiences across all media art. Also nearby is the nonprofit Rental Sales Gallery representing regional artists. Across the river, in SE Portland PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater embraces cinematic storytelling in all its form through unique one-night-only events.

Job Description

The Arlene & Harold Schnitzer Curator of Asian Art provides scholarly expertise, curatorial leadership, and strategic stewardship of the Portland Art Museum’s Asian art collection, comprising more than 6,500 objects. The collection includes significant Japanese, Chinese, and Korean holdings, with particular strengths in more than 3,000 Japanese prints, Edo- and Meiji-period painting and decorative arts, and contemporary Japanese ceramics.

Reporting to the Director of Curatorial Affairs, the Curator advances research, interpretation, collection development, and public presentation through original exhibitions, permanent collection installations, publications, and acquisition recommendations. The Curator collaborates with Collections & Exhibitions, Learning, Development, and other departments to align scholarly priorities with institutional goals, operational capacity, and available resources.

The Curator cultivates relationships with artists, scholars, collectors, donors, cultural organizations, and Asian and Asian American communities; serves as the primary curatorial advisor to the Asian Art Council; and contributes to the Museum’s commitment to making art accessible and meaningful to diverse audiences. This is an endowed curatorial position bearing the names of Arlene and Harold Schnitzer in recognition of philanthropic support for Asian art at the Museum.

While this posting is for a full Curator role, candidates with 3–5 years of progressive curatorial experience are strongly encouraged to apply and will be considered for an Associate Curator position. The final title, salary grade, and scope of responsibilities will be aligned with the selected candidate’s experience level.

In this role, you will

Collection Stewardship & Research

Conduct original research on the Asian art collection; maintain expertise in relevant scholarship, art markets, and professional networks.
Develop and recommend collecting priorities, identify collection strengths and gaps, and evaluate prospective acquisitions and deaccessions in accordance with Museum policy.
Present scholarly recommendations to the Director of Curatorial Affairs, Executive Director, and appropriate Board committees through established approval processes.
Conduct and support provenance research and address ethical collection stewardship, cultural patrimony, and potential repatriation matters with relevant Museum partners.
Collaborate with Registration, Conservation, and Collections & Exhibitions on collection documentation, conservation priorities, access, loans, and safe handling.

Exhibitions, Interpretation & Scholarship

Conceptualize, research, and curate original exhibitions, permanent collection installations, and gallery rotations, including the Museum’s dedicated Asian art galleries.
Act as assigned curator-in-charge for incoming or outgoing traveling exhibitions, coordinating scholarly content with exhibition project teams.
Partner with the Director of Curatorial Affairs and Director of Collections & Exhibitions on exhibition planning, feasibility, schedules, budgets, object selection, and execution within approved institutional processes.
Author and edit catalogues, essays, labels, gallery texts, digital interpretation, and other scholarly and public-facing materials.
Present lectures, gallery talks, training, and professional papers; pursue publication and research that strengthen the Museum’s scholarly reputation.
Collaborate with Learning and Visitor Services on accessible, culturally responsive interpretation and programs; respond to appropriate scholarly and public inquiries.
Work with Library and Archives to strengthen research resources and documentation.

Community, Donor & Institutional Partnerships

Build reciprocal professional and community relationships with Asian and Asian American artists, scholars, cultural organizations, and audiences relevant to the collection.
Serve as primary curatorial advisor to the Asian Art Council, supporting programming, scholarly priorities, and recommendations concerning Council-funded acquisitions.
Partner with Development on donor cultivation and stewardship, grants, acquisition support, exhibitions, and conservation fundraising; provide scholarly content and project updates as appropriate.
Collaborate across curatorial and Museum departments on institutional initiatives, strategic priorities, and audience engagement.
Represent the Museum through professional associations, conferences, symposia, and collaborations nationally and internationally.

Additional Responsibilities

Occasional participation in national and international conferences and symposia.
Serve on internal, cross-department committees.
Perform other related duties and projects as assigned by the Director Curatorial Affairs, including those that fall outside the position's area of focus.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Oversee department fellows and interns as needed on project basis.
Decision-making authority in collaboration with the Director of Curatorial Affairs.
Assist the Director of Curatorial Affairs with department budget planning and oversight.
Assist the Director of Curatorial Affairs on long term departmental planning.

To be successful in this role, you have these requirements

M.A. or Ph.D. in Art History, Asian Studies, Museum Studies, or a closely related field.
Curator: 5+ years of progressive curatorial experience managing collections, organizing exhibitions, and authoring scholarly publications within an art museum setting.
Associate Curator: 3-5 years of curatorial experience assisting with collections stewardship, exhibition development, and scholarly research within an art museum setting.
Active involvement in professional academic networks, demonstrated success building relationships with collectors and dealers, and proven community-facing experience (e.g., public speaking, community outreach, and cross-departmental collaboration).
Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas: Japanese art, Chinese Art, Korean Art
Reading fluency in at least one relevant Asian language for primary research; speaking fluency in at least one relevant Asian language preferred.
Proven ability to conceptualize, research, and execute original permanent collection installations and major traveling exhibitions.
Demonstrated expertise in provenance research, ethical collection stewardship, and current global Asian art market trends to guide collection growth and care.
Skilled in writing exhibition catalogues and wall labels, as well as delivering lectures, gallery talks, and Learning Department training.
Experience cultivating art donors, advising affinity councils, and partnering with development teams on fundraising initiatives.
Experience with collections management databases.
Experience with grant proposal narrative writing and reporting preferred.

If you have any questions along the way including wanting to talk about a nontraditional career background, please reach out to HR.

Job conditions & physical activities

Schedule/Hours: Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm (35 hours per week)
Hybrid - Onsite & Remote
Occasional travel
Occasional evening hours
Frequently precision-manages, moves, and inspects delicate, high-value art objects using fine motor skills and light lifting (up to 20 lbs).
Frequently stands, walks, stoops, bends, and reaches while overseeing art installations, light adjustments, and gallery maintenance.
Regularly traverses multi-story museum galleries, storage facilities, and administrative offices.
Continuously operates standard office equipment, requiring prolonged sitting or standing at a desk, keyboarding, and viewing digital screens.
Requires close, color, and depth vision to evaluate artwork condition, examine details, and review exhibition lighting/layout.
Frequently communicates in person, over the phone, and via digital platforms with staff, donors, scholars, and the public.

This list highlights key physical and environmental conditions related to the role but is not an exhaustive representation of all job requirements. Additional tasks and expectations may apply based on operational needs.

Benefits

This role is exempt/salaried and full-time
Compensation (Starting salary is based on experience):
- Curator (Pay Grade S-1): $84,369.87 minimum - $105,075.59 midpoint - $125,781.31 maximum
- Associate Curator (Pay Grade K): $69,719.60 minimum - $83,354.12 midpoint - $96,988.64 maximum
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Retirement plan with employer match
Generous paid time off and holidays
Employee perks and discounts

Application Process for the Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Curator of Asian Art

Ready to join our team? To be considered please submit your resume, cover letter, and four references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by email. All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.

Application deadline

The job posting will expire on December 2, 2026, 5:00PM PST

Arlene & Harold Schnitzer Curator of Asian Art