Senior Curator, Exhibitions

• Full-time, permanent position
• Curatorial and Digital Division
• Reports to the Director, Curatorial and Digital

Overview of the Division
The Curatorial and Digital Division is one of four divisions at MCA. The purpose of the Curatorial and Digital Division is to initiate, develop and deliver the presentation and care of artworks and the ideas they generate, respecting the centrality of artists and art in those processes. Members of the Curatorial and Digital Division collaborate to conceive, research and deliver all of MCA’s exhibitions, offsite projects, commissions, displays and digital programs, as well as caring for, maintaining and developing the Collection that sits at the heart of MCA’s offer. Within Curatorial and Digital, there are three clusters: Collection and Exhibitions Management, Curatorial and Digital. This post sits within the Curatorial cluster.

Overview of the position
The MCA’s vision is to take a leadership role in shaping a creative and equitable Australia that values contemporary art and artists, and we are committed to making contemporary art accessible and inspiring for everyone.

Reporting to and working closely with the Director, Curatorial and Digital, the Senior Curator, Exhibitions plays a significant role in contributing to the intellectual and creative leadership of MCA through the development, research and implementation of its program of temporary exhibitions. The Senior Curator, Exhibitions contributes to the development of the MCA Collection and exhibition activities stemming from it, working with the Director, Curatorial and Digital and other Senior Curators to ensure its full integration within the Museum’s artistic programs.
The Senior Curator, Exhibitions manages individual exhibition project budgets. Direct reports: Curator; Assistant Curator.

Tasks and responsibilities of the position
• Playing a role in the senior team within the Curatorial and Digital Division.
• Contributing to MCA artistic strategy and Curatorial and Digital program development
and planning.
• Taking a critical role in the development and implementation of MCA’s program of
temporary exhibitions:
o working with the Director and the Director, Curatorial and Digital and other
colleagues in the development of exhibition strategy and policy
o conductingresearchrelatedtothis
o ensuring the highest level of scholarship as well as maintaining the relevant
systems and championing continuous improvement in exhibition delivery o taking a lead role in the development and curation of individual exhibitions
o writing, editing and overseeing others in producing interpretative and critical material related to the exhibition program
o collaborating with Creative Learning colleagues in the development of public programs related to the exhibition program
o collaborating with colleagues in digital media, marketing and design to ensure that exhibitions are appropriately communicated and promoted in print and online
o collaborating with colleagues in sponsorship and philanthropy to raise funds for the program and manage relationships with prospective and actual donors and sponsors; seeking funds for projects through applications to appropriate funding bodies or trusts and foundations
o managing relationships with artists, dealers and other museums
o conducting events, tours and talks related to own projects, including briefings for
colleagues, news media, sponsors, patrons, Ambassadors and Members
o ensuring the appropriate evaluation and documentation of exhibition projects once
they are complete
o maintaining a senior level expertise in contemporary art practice and keeping
informed through travel, research, attendance of exhibitions, events and public
symposia and visits to artists’ studios.
• Working closely with the Senior Curator, Collection and Curator/Senior Curator,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Collections and Exhibitions in addition to the MCA Director and the Director, Curatorial and Digital in developing the MCA Collection, in particular by ensuring that opportunities are leveraged where possible to extend the Collection and its associated intellectual assets through commission and MCA’s program of temporary exhibitions.
• Managing the Curator and an Assistant Curator, as well as an ongoing and changing group of associate and external guest curators and interns.
• Managing exhibition project budgets.

General requirements of all MCA employees
We require that all of our employees:
• demonstrate support for innovation and for organisational changes required to improve the MCA’s effectiveness
• work cooperatively with others to produce innovative solutions and recognise the merits of diverse perspectives and the ideas of others
• demonstrate commitment to, and knowledge of, the principles and application of equal employment opportunities and anti-discrimination legislation in the workplace
• work in accordance with the principles of equity, access and fairness. Respect WHS work practices and procedures; work with due care and consideration to safeguard your own health and safety and the health and safety of others.

Key selection criteria
Essential criteria
Applicants must be able to demonstrate they have:
• a commitment to the Museum’s objective of promoting the work of living artists to broad audiences through the imaginative and creative presentation of contemporary work. A demonstrated ability to represent and advocate for the Museum locally, nationally and abroad
• a thorough knowledge of Australian and international contemporary art and an understanding of the needs of artists and of issues surrounding the public presentation of contemporary art
• proven ability to develop a contemporary art collection through research, exhibition, acquisition and documentation
• excellent public speaking, research, writing and editing skills. Demonstrated experience in publications as a writer of interpretative texts on exhibitions and artworks for a variety of audiences
• experience in the motivation and management of staff and to manage budgets
• tertiary qualifications in visual art or fine art/art history.

Terms and conditions of employment
This is a full-time, permanent position reporting to the Director, Curatorial and Digital. Some work out of normal hours (9am – 5.30pm) will be required to cover the MCA’s exhibitions and programs.
Salary package includes:
• annual leave: 4 weeks
• personal leave: 10 days
• superannuation: 10% super payments (in accordance with the Superannuation
Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992).

The appointment will be conditional on an initial six-month probationary period. Thereafter termination by either party will require written notice of eight weeks.

Closing date 9am, Friday 1 October 2021.