Harn Museum of Art appoints Cofrin Curator of Asian Art

November 16, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Harn Museum of Art is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Steuber as Cofrin Curator of Asian Art.

Steuber has more than 10 years of experience as a museum professional with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Mo., including four years as Assistant Curator of Chinese Art. He was recently the Leverhulme Trust Visiting Fellow at Glasgow University’s Department of History of Art in Scotland, in which he both taught and conducted research.

“The search committee was impressed with the number of highly qualified applicants for this position,” Harn Director Rebecca Nagy said. “Jason Steuber stood out as the ideal fit for the Harn Museum as we strive to take our Asian art collection and programs to a new level of excellence and national prominence.”

Steuber has a bachelor of arts in both Chinese History and East Asian Languages and Cultures, and a master’s in East Asian Languages and Cultures, all from the University of Kansas. He has been working on his Ph.D. in Art History at Glasgow University and has authored a number of scholarly publications, including a new book on the relationship between art and literature in China.

Steuber will direct the growth and development of one of the Harn’s largest collecting areas. The Asian collection includes nearly 1,000 works of art and has grown in number and depth during the last four years. The greatest strength of the Harn’s Asian collection is Chinese art, including ceramics, bronzes, jades, lacquer, glass and painting. The collection also features art from other areas of Asia. Japanese art, mostly dating from the 19th and early 20th centuries, rounds out the collection.

“The Harn’s commitment to excellence is evident when you enter its doors and come face to face with the many great collections,” Steuber said. “The Asian art collections will continue to grow to benefit the UF community and reach our wider communities. I look forward to working with museum colleagues and donors to highlight the Harn and UF as a leader in the display and study of the arts of Asia.”

For information about the Harn Museum of Art visit www.harn.ufl.edu or call 352-392-9826.