Curator of Art

Australian War Memorial; Canberra; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian War Memorial is seeking an experienced Curator to join the Art Section and shape the collection and artistic program through research, acquisitions, commissions and public engagement.

Reporting to the Senior Curator of Art, the successful candidate will bring strong curatorial expertise, sound art-historical knowledge and leadership to collaborate with stakeholders across the Memorial and arts sectors.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in art history, curatorship, museum studies or a related discipline.
• + years curatorial or relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and delivery of exhibitions, displays, digital initiatives and interpretive programs.
• Lead or support contemporary art commissions across programs, including the Official War Art Scheme and related projects.
• Identify, assess and recommend acquisitions that strengthen the collection’s quality, relevance, diversity and historical significance.
• Undertake original research into the collection and communicate findings through publications, lectures and catalogue essays.
• Contribute to policy development for collection, museum and organisational strategies.
• Participate in major institutional initiatives and development projects.
• Provide mentoring and professional support to Assistant Curatorial staff, fostering a collaborative team culture.

Skills

Curatorial experience

Art history knowledge

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Art History / Curatorship / Museum Studies

Job description

The Memorial seeks an experienced and highly motivated Curator to join the Art Section. The Art Collection provides diverse artistic perspectives on Australia's military history, reflecting the causes, experiences and consequences of conflict, as well as military operations themselves. Through its creative and interpretive nature, the collection offers unique insights into the human experience of war.

As one of Australia's largest and most significant art collections, it comprises more than 36,000 works, including paintings, drawings, prints, posters, sculpture, installation and video art. The collection spans representations of colonial military forces through to contemporary artistic responses to recent and ongoing conflicts.

Reporting to the Senior Curator of Art, the Curator plays a key role in shaping the Memorial's collection and artistic program through research, acquisitions, commissions, exhibitions, publications and public engagement activities. The successful applicant will bring strong curatorial expertise, sound art historical knowledge, project management capability, and a collaborative approach to leadership and stakeholder engagement.

Additional Requirements

Working with Distressing Material: This role requires engagement with historical and contemporary material relating to war, conflict, trauma, death, injury and loss, including material concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences. Staff may be exposed to distressing images, records and testimonies and are expected to work with such material in a professional manner and utilise available wellbeing and support services as required.

The key duties of the position include:

• Contribute to the development and delivery of exhibitions, displays, digital initiatives and interpretive programs.
• Lead or support the management of contemporary art commissions across a range of programs, including the Official War Art Scheme, the Memorial's Sculpture Garden, and strategic acquisition projects.
• Identify, assess and recommend acquisitions that strengthen the collection's quality, relevance, diversity and historical significance.
• Undertake original research into the collection and communicate findings through publications, lectures, presentations, catalogue essays and other scholarly and public forums.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of collection, museum and organisational policies and strategies.
• Participate in major institutional initiatives, including the Memorial's Development Project, as required.
• Provide guidance, mentoring and professional support to Assistant Curatorial staff, fostering capability development and a collaborative team culture.
• Establish and maintain productive networks across the Australian arts, museum and cultural sectors.
• Represent the Memorial and respond to enquiries from a broad range of public, private and government stakeholders.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues across the Memorial to develop and deliver innovative museum, commemorative and public engagement outcomes.
• Undertake collection management activities, including safe manual handling, movement and care of artworks and collection items, in accordance with museum standards and workplace health and safety requirements.
• Demonstrate and promote the Australian Public Service Values, Employment Principles and Code of Conduct, including a commitment to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunity principles.

Eligibility

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in art history, curatorship, museum studies or a related discipline.
• +years curatorial or relevant experience.
• To be eligible for employment with the Australian War Memorial you must be an Australian citizen as per section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999.
• All applicants external to AWM that are offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a National Police Check, even if they currently hold a security clearance. The check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.

Notes

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

The Memorial is committed to workplace diversity and maintains an environment that values the contribution of people from different backgrounds and experiences. The Memorial welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, veterans, mature age people, people from diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability.

Getting to know the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. The Memorial's purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war or on operational service and those who have served our nation in times of conflict. Its mission is leading remembrance and understanding of Australia’s wartime experience.