Job | Senior Curator of Art | Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

Job Title: Senior Curator of Art

Location: Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin

Work Unit: Curatorial

Terms: Full time, four year contract

Package: $110,000 + 9.5% super

Responsible to: Head of Curatorial (History and Culture)

Direct reports: Art Curator/s and Assistant Art Curator/s (two to four anticipated)

Closing date: 1 February 2021

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is the Northern Territory’s premier cultural institution. It offers a dynamic and diverse arts, science and cultural program to more than 300,000 visitors each year.

We are both a museum and art gallery with collections, exhibitions and programs across our core areas of Aboriginal culture, natural sciences, history and art focussing on Northern and Central Australia and our near neighbours.

MAGNT’s objective is to maintain the highest standards of excellence in preserving, researching, exhibiting and communicating the record of natural history, art and peoples of the Northern Territory. Our vision is to be a world-class museum connecting people and stories of the Northern Territory.

MAGNT has seven venues: Bullocky Point, the Defence of Darwin Experience, Fannie Bay Gaol, Lyons Cottage, the Museum of Central Australia (incorporating the Strehlow Research Centre), Megafauna Central and the Alcoota fossil site.

The Northern Territory Government is currently developing a major new art gallery to be located in Darwin’s State Square.

Primary Objective

This position will be principally responsible for the development and delivery of a compelling curatorial vision for the new State Square Art Gallery, due to open to the public in 2023. As well as successful delivery of exhibitions for the grand opening of the gallery, the role will be responsible for a dynamic ongoing forward calendar of temporary, travelling and permanent exhibitions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead the art curatorial team to successfully deliver a suite of high quality, creative and audience-focussed exhibitions for the State Square Art Gallery, as well as art-based and interdisciplinary curatorial projects across all MAGNT sites.
2. Oversee the management, research, development, interpretation and display of MAGNT’s art collections.
3. Work closely with other MAGNT staff to ensure the highest quality exhibitions and programs are incorporated into MAGNT’s public offering, particularly at State Square Art Gallery.
4. Lead and manage a high-performing curatorial team in the delivery of its functions and services through scheduling and prioritising work; monitoring and reviewing processes; providing performance feedback and staff learning and development opportunities; and ensuring that deadlines and budget commitments are met.
5. Conduct and supervise high level research on the art collections and produce and maintain documentation that enhances interpretation and knowledge of these collections.
6. Provide expert advice regarding MAGNT’s art collections in response to queries from internal and external stakeholders.
7. Maintain and promote EEO, cultural diversity, WH&S and ethical principles and practices.
8. Develop and maintain professional networks and partnerships with external stakeholders including project partners, other cultural organisations, community groups and researchers.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

1. Advanced degree in art history or visual art combined with extensive relevant curatorial experience, preferably aligned with at least one of MAGNT’s art collection strengths (Australian Art, Aboriginal Art and Material Culture, Southeast Asian Art and Material Culture).
2. Demonstrated experience in the development and delivery of innovative audience focussed interpretation activities across a variety of platforms including public programs, exhibitions and publications.
3. Excellent, versatile oral and written communication skills, with proven ability to tailor communications to different audiences.
4. Knowledge of art collection development, management and conservation.
5. Well-developed leadership and people management skills, including coaching and performance planning, measurement, feedback and development; ability to successfully lead curatorial teams.
6. An ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures and beliefs, whilst building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including artists, art dealers, donors, other galleries and the media.
7. Advocacy skills including experience with sponsorship and grant funding.
8. Sound understanding of Work Health Safety (WHS) practises to ensure WHS system compliance.

Desirable:

1. Experience in the development of a new-build museum or gallery facility
2. Experience in project management methodology and budget development

Additional:

1. This job requires some weekend and out of hours work.
2. This role statement is intended to provide an overall view of the role but in addition to this document, the specifics of the role will be described in business work plans.
3. MAGNT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace.
4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island applicants are encouraged to apply.
5. Applicants must have full Australian work rights.
6. A valid Australian Drivers licence is essential.

Further Information

• Applications must address the selection criteria;
• Include three referee contacts (two A4 pages only). Referees will not be contacted without prior consent.

For further information please visit our website at magnt.net.au or contact Head of Curatorial (History & Culture) Malene Bjornskov on (08) 8999 8241 or malene.bjornskov@magnt.net.au

Submit applications via email: careers@magnt.net.au by 1 February 2021