Curator, First Nations Art
Full-time, permanent position (part-time and remote work arrangements will be considered)
Curatorial and Digital Division, and First Nations Team
Reports to the Senior Curator, Exhibitions, and Director, First Nations Art and Cultures
Overview of the MCA
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) is Australia’s only public museum dedicated to contemporary art.
The MCA presents, collects and engages with the art of now.
Guided by the principles of belonging, connection and influence, we aim to be the defining platform for contemporary art and ideas in Australia and beyond.
Located on Sydney Harbour at Tallawoladah, a home to stories, art and culture for over 65,000 years, the MCA contributes to the continuity of culture on our site.
We connect the widest possible public to contemporary art through our Collection, exhibitions, events, creative learning and access programs.
Our evolving Collection of over 4,700 artworks is the only public collection in Australia dedicated to the work of living artists, with over a third represented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, the MCA raises over 85% of its revenue each year through donations and commercial activities to deliver its artistic and engagement programs.
With just over 5% of its staff identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, the MCA is acknowledged for its leadership by our museum peers across Australia in its recognition and respect of the centrality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to Australian identity, through its collection building and custodianship activities, exhibitions, publishing, learning and social impact programs. The MCA Collection, including over 4,700 artworks, is the only public collection in Australia dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. Over a third of the MCA Collection is represented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
This exciting opportunity forms part of the MCA’s commitment to assisting in building experience and capacity among the current generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts professionals.
Overview of the position
The Curator, First Nations Art works in collaboration with the MCA’s Director, First Nations Art and Cultures and is informed by the guidelines and goals set out in the MCA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy, including those relating to collection development and exhibition programming.
Reporting directly to the Senior Curator, Exhibitions, and the Director, First Nations Art and Cultures, the Curator, First Nations Art works within a curatorial team responsible for planning and delivery of the MCA’s artistic program as well as development and curatorial presentation of the MCA Collection. They are responsible for the research, planning, development and delivery of selected exhibitions and other artistic projects with a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
The Curator, First Nations Art is actively involved with MCA projects that include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, artists and communities. The position is responsible for undertaking and supporting research into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in the MCA Collection as well as supporting collection development. The position contributes to the broader research and planning work of the curatorial team particularly (but not solely) by sharing as appropriate expertise pertaining to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island artists, art practices and possible exhibitions.
The post-holder contributes to meetings of the Museum’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Group and the Artists’ Advisory Group; forms key relationships with other arts and cultural organisations; is involved in seeking funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander exhibitions through applications to appropriate funding bodies in Australia and overseas, as well as agencies and selected private foundations; and works closely with colleagues across the Museum to ensure the MCA’s objectives of promoting wider public engagement with contemporary art and the works of living artists are realised.
Applications
To learn more about working with the MCA, this role and how to apply please visit our website. (https://www.mca.com.au/about-us/work-for-us/curator-first-nations-art/)
Closing Date
Monday 22 June, 9am.
Please direct all enquiries to positions.vacant@mca.com.au
Working for the MCA
The MCA is committed to equal opportunity and diversity. The MCA promotes a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment, and where individuals are treated with fairness, equality, and dignity. Find out more about the MCA.
