The Stella Kramrisch Curator of Indian and Himalayan Art

Job Description

Job Description

The Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) is one of the nation’s most distinguished cultural institutions, with internationally significant collections and programs. As the Museum looks ahead to celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2026, it continues to serve as both a national destination and a vital cultural anchor for Philadelphia, engaging communities across the city through exhibitions, educational initiatives, and cultural programs. Led by Sasha Suda, the George D. Widener Director and CEO, and supported by a dedicated Board of Trustees, PMA benefits from strong local and global networks, active collector and donor groups, and robust public and private support.

To advance its mission and deepen its engagement with South Asian visual cultures, the PMA seeks a knowledgeable and collaborative curator to steward its renowned collection of Indian and Himalayan art. Named in honor of Stella Kramrisch—a pioneering scholar and curator of South Asian art—this endowed position oversees a collection of nearly 4,000 works of art dating from around 2,500 BCE to the present day.

Judith Pineiro Consulting has been retained to secure the Stella Kramrisch Curator of Indian and Himalayan Art at the PMA. See application instructions at the end of this description.

The Opportunity

As a key member of the newly reorganized Asian Art Department, the Stella Kramrisch Curator of Indian and Himalayan Art plays a vital role in advancing the Museum’s mission of preserving, interpreting, and expanding the reach of its collection to its audiences as a source of delight, illumination, and lifelong learning. The ideal candidate will bring strong curatorial credentials, deep subject knowledge, and a collegial spirit.

Reporting directly to Hyunsoo Woo , The Maxine and Howard Lewis Curator of Korean Art and Head of Asian Art Department, this position contributes to exhibitions, research, interpretation, and acquisitions that deepen understanding of South Asia’s diverse visual traditions and their global significance. The role requires a big-picture thinker who also excels at managing details and projects independently.

This position is a wonderful opportunity for a thoughtful and grounded curator committed to meaningful contributions over time. Success in this role is defined by sustained engagement, intellectual rigor, and collaborative teamwork that enriches the Museum’s programs and connects with diverse audiences.

The Asian Art Department values a respectful and collegial environment, operating under the guidance of the Marion Boulton 'Kippy' Stroud Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and Conservation, the Chief Curator, the Director’s Office, and the Board of Trustees.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

While no one candidate will have every experience outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics :

Collection Stewardship

All curatorial roles in the Museum are grounded in the collection, and direct experience with collections is vital to this position. The role will collaborate with conservation, collections management, design, and installation staff to ensure works are properly documented, treated when needed, safely stored, and effectively displayed for public education and enjoyment. In addition, the curator is expected to conduct research and catalog works in the collection to support exhibitions, installations, publications, and public programming, as well as to make scholarly contributions, including articles, lectures, tours, and symposia. The curator will consult with the Museum’s library staff to recommend publications and research materials that support collection documentation and scholarship. In addition, the role will provide recommendations on loan requests received by the Museum.

This position works closely with the Museum’s provenance research staff and legal counsel to research, document, and proactively address provenance or repatriation issues related to the South Asian art collection. In line with institutional policies, this role will periodically assess its area of the collection and make recommendations related to these issues.

Coordinating with the entire curatorial team, and more specifically the Asian Art Department, the role will identify and recommend works of art within their area of responsibility for acquisition and for deaccession, providing documentation on historical and aesthetic significance, provenance, conservation status, and how an object aligns with the Museum’s collecting strategy. Candidates should also have experience managing proposed gifts and donations with sensitivity.

Installations & Exhibitions

In collaboration with the head of the Asian Art Department and the Curatorial Leadership Team, this role contributes to the planning and execution of special exhibitions and installations throughout the Museum. The person in this role should be prepared to be an active collaborator in projects across the institution. Candidates should bring demonstrated experience organizing exhibitions—including working with traveling shows—and an understanding of their complexities. It is expected that curators contribute to project planning and research, coordinate with colleagues across departments, maintain attention to budgets, and support Advancement in fundraising efforts. They also assist with catalogue production, collaborate on installation design, engage with marketing and communications efforts, and shape interpretive programs. Strong project management and the ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously are essential skills.

Collaboration & Mentorship

The Asian Art Department is a collaborative and supportive team that values the mentorship of all its members. This role will embrace working collaboratively with the Asian Art Department’s collection assistant / department manager and possibly additional supportive positions, such as fellows and project assistants.

To thrive in the positive and collaborative nature of the Asian Art Department, the individual in this role must have the desire and capacity to build productive relationships in dynamic environments, including with senior leadership. As a team, the department works together to inspire, motivate, and guide one another, while maintaining individual accountability.

In addition to a demonstrated ability to work successfully with others—museum staff, volunteers, and diverse public constituencies—to achieve institutional objectives, the candidate must have a broad knowledge of museum practices in the related fields of education and public programs, conservation, collections management, budget management, marketing, and development and external affairs.

Donor Engagement & Fundraising

All curators at the Museum are expected to cultivate and maintain relationships with collectors, scholars, patrons, and potential supporters by representing the Museum’s curatorial vision and overall mission in various settings. This engagement sometimes requires activities outside of typical working hours to participate in donor travel programs, fairs, and other visits and events.

A key relationship for this role within the Asian Art Department is to collaborate in developing and organizing meetings for the Asian Art Curatorial Committee, which comprises Board members, collectors, and scholars. This group meets at least twice a year. Supporters of South Asian Art within the Museum’s network are enthusiastic about this curatorial position and will be eager to engage with this role.

The position is expected to work closely with the Advancement team, including but not limited to securing funding for exhibitions, acquisitions, and other initiatives.

Direct Experience

A required qualification for the role is a minimum of 7 years of curatorial experience, with the majority of those years spent at a collecting institution. A Ph.D. is preferred but not required; one must possess a command of South Asian or Himalayan art history (or a closely related field) and, ideally, a broad familiarity with Islamic art. To succeed in the role, one should have some lived experience in the region of specialization, with a proven competency in one or more South Asian languages.

The candidate should demonstrate financial acumen, including budget management, fundraising, and engagement with marketing and communications. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential, including comfort with databases, word processing, and other standard digital tools.

Institutional Alignment

The candidate is expected to uphold the highest professional standards in the field, act with integrity in all decisions, and safeguard the Museum’s reputation within the global museum network. Equally important is a commitment to Philadelphia and its communities, embracing the Museum’s role as a civic and cultural anchor.

All PMA staff adhere to the Museum’s code of ethics, policies, and protocols, avoiding conflicts of interest while maintaining confidentiality. The position requires respect for colleagues, volunteers, and visitors, along with an appreciation for the perspectives and experiences that shape the museum community.

Compensation & Benefits

The annual salary for the role is anticipated to be $110,000. The position is supported by a budget for travel, scholarship, training, and professional development opportunities; however, all requests must be pre-approved by institutional leadership in accordance with policy. PMA employees are at the center of the Museum, and we are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; fully paid short-term disability insurance, long-term disability insurance, and life insurance; health savings or flexible spending account programs; a retirement savings program with an employer match; and paid vacation, personal days, sick days, and holidays.

In addition, employees enjoy special PMA perks, including free general admission for themselves and their immediate family, discounted guest tickets, discounts on gift memberships, staff tours and presentations led by curatorial and conservation teams, as well as savings at the PMA’s restaurant, cafés, and retail and online stores. Eligibility for certain benefits is based on a variety of factors, including an employee’s regular schedule and tenure.

APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES & NOMINATIONS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a firm deadline of October 10, 2025. We encourage candidates to apply early. Judith Pineiro Consulting has been exclusively retained for this engagement. Please send all nominations and inquiries to PMASearch@judithpineiroconsulting.com. To apply for the position, please submit your letter of interest, and resume as one .pdf document.

This position has the physical requirements of being able to remain stationary for extended periods of time, to utilize computers and other office equipment required of this job, to perform physically administrative duties in a typical interior office environment, gallery, or exhibit space, and to access most public and staff areas of the museum campus, and be able to operate a computer / keyboard and other office equipment used to generate work / transmit data. The PMA conducts background checks, which are required after a conditional job offer is made. The consideration of the background check will be tailored to the job's requirements. This position description is intended to describe the general nature of the role and the work being performed. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, and additional duties may be required outside of these responsibilities as needed.

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