Curatorial Assistant, First Nations Art (Affirmative Measures - Indigenous)

The National Gallery holds the world’s largest and most significant collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art – numbering over 8000 works – and produces a range of important curatorial and learning programs to support the collection and display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

Recognising the primacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture within the Australian cultural landscape the National Gallery has partnered with Wesfarmers Arts to elevate opportunities for First Nations professionals within the Australian arts and cultural sectors to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities are central to the future direction and development of the sector.

The National Gallery is seeking an emerging First Nations curator or arts administrator to join an enthusiastic team who work within a vibrant and rewarding environment stewarding and developing the National Gallery’s relationship with First Nations art and artists. This position reports to the Senior Curator, First Nations Art and is responsible for planning and coordination of activities related to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art collection, programs, and departmental projects.

This position covers a broad range of operational functions and activities that support the department’s capacity to address the curatorial vision, meet agreed operational and strategic targets and to establish and maintain strong and meaningful internal and external relationships, including with artists, galleries, museum colleagues within and outside the National Gallery and the public.

This role constitutes an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

An order of merit may be established from this selection process and may be used to fill future identical vacancies over the next 12 months. Selection may be based on application and referee reports only.

If you do not wish to be added to an order of merit, please notify us in your application.

This position of Curatorial Assistant, First Nations Art is an ongoing full-time role with the First Nations Curatorial team.

In accordance with the APS 4 work level standards, you will:

• Provide professional support to the Head Curator, First Nations Art, on all Curatorial business,
• Act as the first point of contact for the department, liaising with internal and external stakeholders, including donors, artists, curatorial colleagues, valuers, researchers, and the public, referring complex queries to relevant curatorial departments,
• Assist the department in preparation of correspondence, contracts, collection displays and publications, including answering questions from external parties about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art collection,
• Conduct preliminary research across a range of archival sources in the preparation of materials for the presentation, exhibition, acquisition, and documentation of works within and entering the national collection, including collection management activities across cataloguing including interpretive material, provenance data and biographies,
• Create and update catalogue records in the collection management system (EMu),
• Assist in the management of projects relating to exhibitions, loans and publications, including liaising with the Exhibitions, Conservation and Registration teams in relation to the condition of works and suitability for display and storage in line with project timelines, agendas, minutes and workshops,
• Help manage workflows related to the department’s programs, especially as they relate to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art collection and
• In consultation with the Head Curator, First Nations Art, develop collection presentations and exhibitions, including preparation of interpretive material and liaison with Exhibition Management, Design, Publications and other departments.

Citizenship - To be eligible for employment with the Gallery, you must be an Australian citizen.

Police Check - To be eligible for this role you must complete a police check.

Affirmative Measures - This role constitutes an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination ACT 1975 and is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Qualifications, Certifications and Registrations
Role specific mandatory qualifications certification and/or registrations include:

• Relevant qualifications in art history or museum/archival studies and some experience in an art gallery/museum environment is essential.

HOW TO APPLY
You should provide a tailored CV (maximum of three pages) along with a statement of no more than two pages that outlines your skills, capabilities and experience, against the ‘Our ideal candidate’ information above.

In your statement response you should keep in mind the capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role, as identified in the ‘Who are we looking for?’ section.

Try not to duplicate information that can be found in your CV but do highlight any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

The National Gallery is one of Australia’s leading visual arts institutions. The National Gallery is based in Canberra and is a vital part of the Australian cultural landscape. Our Purpose is to collect, preserve, promote and share the national collection of art. The Vision of the National Gallery is to be the international reference point for art in Australia, inspiring all people to explore, experience and learn. Our Values include excellence, creativity, courage, respect, and accountability.