Museum Specialist (Art) IS-1016-09

Smithsonian Institution•Washington, DC

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art, established in 1923, serves as America’s first national art museum and the first Asian art museum in the United States. It curates one of the world’s most significant collections of Asian art, spanning from antiquity to the present, alongside a notable collection of 19th- and early 20th-century American art. Through extensive programs in collecting, conservation, exhibitions, public engagement, and research, both physical and digital, the museum acts as a global and national hub for understanding Asian arts and cultures and their historical and contemporary interactions with America. Its mission is to foster cross-cultural understanding and embody core values of curiosity, creativity, and respect. Located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the museum offers free admission 364 days a year. The Provenance Research and Object Histories department is fundamental to the museum's dedication to excellence and international leadership in provenance and object histories. This position, reporting to the Associate Director for Provenance Research and Object Histories, primarily involves conducting provenance research on museum objects and meticulously documenting the museum's collections. As the museum embarks on its second century, this role is crucial for enhancing its standing as a global leader in provenance research and object histories, thereby contributing to the museum's overarching goal of expanding its influence, promoting transparency in collection origins, and sharing expert knowledge.

Requirements

One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the IS/GS-07 level in the Federal service (or equivalent experience in the private sector) that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of this position.
Specialized experience includes: Conducting provenance and/or object history research using museum records (accession/loan files, catalog cards, object files) and museum collection databases.
Specialized experience includes: Consulting archival sources (e.g., correspondence, field notes, institutional archives) and relevant published literature.
Specialized experience includes: Preparing written research summaries or reports documenting provenance, ownership history, and/or legal/ethical status, and updating paper and electronic object records in accordance with established museum documentation practices.
Specialized experience includes: Supporting collections inventory and documentation by verifying objects against records, identifying discrepancies, and flagging issues for additional research.
Alternatively, two (2) full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or a master’s degree (or equivalent graduate degree) in a field related to the position (e.g., art history, museum studies, provenance research, cultural heritage, history, archival studies, library/information science, or a related field).
A combination of education and specialized experience may be used to meet the qualification requirements.
Applicants who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States must provide documentation deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.
Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation for position designated as low risk.
Complete a Probationary Period.
Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Responsibilities

Assists with provenance research of the collection.
Evaluates the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of collection items using museum records, accession and loan files, catalog cards, and the collections database.
Consults archival collections, including fieldnotes and correspondence.
Examines relevant literature, oral histories, and other non-traditional evidence from within or outside the Smithsonian.
Completes written research reports that summarize the provenance and legal status of the collection.
Updates both paper and digital object records with the research, following museum policy and procedures.
Provide support to staff in conducting basic provenance research by offering guidance, sharing research methods, and ensuring consistency in documentation of research findings.
Conducts an inventory of collections, including documentation.
Verifies the collection items against records and flags any discrepancies for further research.
Consults with curatorial and collections staff as needed.