Assistant Curator / Curator

National Heritage Board; Singapore; On-site; SGD 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A cultural and heritage organization is seeking a Curatorial Specialist to join the Founders’ Memorial team in Singapore. The role involves researching Singapore’s post-independence history, curating exhibitions, and presenting ideas effectively to stakeholders. Candidates should have a background in History or Humanities and at least 3 years of relevant experience. The role requires fluency in English and Chinese for research and interviews. This position is exclusively for Singaporeans passionate about heritage.

Qualifications

• Preferably at least 3 years of experience in curatorial and research work.
• Effectively bilingual in English and high proficiency in written and spoken Chinese.
• Experience in museum or exhibition curation.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on Singapore's post-independence history.
• Curate content for the Founders’ Memorial’s galleries.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders on curatorial projects.

Skills

Research skills

Analytical skills

Presentation skills

Storytelling

Stakeholder communication

Project management

Education

Background in History or Humanities

Job description

What the role is:

At the Founders’ Memorial, we are creating a brand-new garden-museum experience for Singaporeans, by Singaporeans.

A national landmark at the heart of our garden city, uncovering the story of how independent Singapore came to be, and bringing Singaporeans together to reflect and talk about the heritage of our founding leaders – what it means for us today and for the future.

A home for Singapore’s founding values to live on and find new life in its people.

Can you identify with the values that guided our founding leaders and generation that have shaped Singapore to what it is today? Are you keen to tell stories about the courage and resilience exhibited by our founding leaders and generation in our nation-building years (1950s to 1970s)? Do you often think about the challenges and trade-offs that our country must negotiate in the past, present and future? If your answer is "yes", join us at the Founders' Memorial!

You will be part of a passionate team that is responsible for researching, telling the stories and curating the permanent and temporary galleries, as well as indoor and outdoor installations, of a brand-new institution that seeks to evoke reflection on Singapore’s founding values and inspire contribution to Singapore’s future.

What you will be working on:

• Conduct research on primary and secondary material pertaining to Singapore’s post-independence history, including but not limited to English- and Chinese-language oral history interviews and archival records
• Conceptualise and curate content for the Founders’ Memorial’s galleries, pilot exhibitions, and other curatorial-related projects, including digital projects, indoor and outdoor installations, citizen engagement, seminars, publications, amongst others
• Present, convince and engage stakeholders on the Founders’ Memorial’s curatorial frame and storytelling approach
• Work collaboratively with exhibition designers, collection managers, conservators, artists, curators, programme managers, public service agencies and other related parties on curatorial projects and the development of collections
• Identify and acquire relevant artefacts for the National Collection

What we are looking for:

• Background in History or the Humanities or other disciplines relevant to Singapore’s post-independence history and nation building policies
• Preferably at least 3 years of experience in related curatorial and research work, with keen knowledge and passion for Singapore’s post-independence history and heritage, and its relevance to the present and future
• Proven excellence in research, analytical, writing and presentation skills
• Ability to think creatively and imaginatively, with strengths in synthesising information from different sources and storytelling
• Ability to communicate well, convince stakeholders, and facilitate interviews and engagement sessions
• Resourcefulness, and strength in knowledge, research, project and stakeholder management
• Able to work independently and as part of a core team
• Background in museum or exhibition curation
• Experience in public service will be viewed favourably
• Effectively bilingual in English with high proficiency in written and spoken Chinese as this position requires one to conduct research on Chinese-language materials and conduct oral history interviews in Chinese
• This position is only open to Singaporeans

About National Heritage Board

The National Heritage Board (NHB) champions the development of a vibrant cultural and heritage sector in Singapore. Our role is to make heritage enriching, relevant, accessible and above all, enjoyable to Singaporeans and visitors alike.

If you have the Passion…to build a nation of confident people and sense of rootedness…to deliver great service towards a strong community…to inspire generations of Singaporeans through heritage preservation…to continually innovate and develop yourself as a professional…to have fun while doing all of the above We Want You! http://www.nhb.gov.sg