Curator/ Exhibitions Manager

POSITION DESCRIPTION                                                                                              

CURATOR/EXHIBITIONS MANAGER

Corban Estate Arts Centre (CEAC)

Governed by the Waitakere Arts and Cultural Development Trust.

(September 2011)

Purpose of Position:  To programme and curate an annual programme of exhibitions at Corban Estate, including associated public programmes and manage collections.

Reports to:  Director CEAC

Hours:  Full time, 40 hours per week.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Plan, curate and install an ongoing diverse and stimulating programme of exhibitions in the gallery, along with occasional exhibitions in other CEAC spaces aligned with CEAC’s vision, purpose and goals.

• Exhibitions programme is planned 12 to 18 months in advance.

• The plan reflects CEAC’s broader mission and goals.

• The exhibitions reflect community diversity while maintaining professional standards.

• Delivery requirements as per CEAC’s contract with Auckland Council are fulfilled.

Manage the contractual agreements with artists, installation and presentation of the exhibitions to a high professional standard.

• Exhibitions are varied, reflect high professional standards and attract positive feedback from the public, media, critics and others in the arts sector.

Plan and organise exhibition openings, public programmes associated with artists and exhibitions, studio tours and on occasions events related to CEAC’s broader operations as an Arts Centre.

• Events are well planned and organised, so that they reflect well on CEAC. 

• Exhibitions manager contributes to other CEAC events and activities.

Ensure that exhibitions and public programmes are presented in a way that maximises accessibility for the broader community and offer educational opportunities.

• A range of resources are utilised to contextualise exhibitions and provide the audience with sufficient and appropriate information to gain a positive and stimulating experience from a gallery visit.

• Labelling and resources are developed for exhibitions to support school visits and enable learning by children and young people. 

Manage all aspects of the Peter Sauerbier Collection, including its storage and security, the development of its touring programme, and the relationship with the Sauerbier family.

• Agreed timeline re preparation of resources for touring exhibitions, is followed and milestones achieved.

• Agreements with the Sauerbier family are achieved within agreed timeframe.

Work as part of the arts centre team in the development of exhibitions so that these complement CEAC’s other activities and initiatives, such as its educational programmes.

• Supportive educational programmes are developed in collaboration with CEAC’s educational team.

• Exhibitions programme aligns with key festivals.

• Innovative proposals are made to link exhibitions to other CEAC activities.

Utilise opportunities such as artists networks and liaison with arts facilities, to promote community engagement.

• New and existing relationships with key artists and arts organisations are built and maintained.

• Attendance at relevant key network events.

Work with CEAC’s Marketing Coordinator to develop specific marketing strategies for exhibitions and public programmes.

• Marketing plans for exhibitions vary incorporating strategies to attract different  audiences (ages, ethnicities, interest groups etc)

Manage the exhibitions budget within agreed guidelines, and make applications for funding as required.

• Budget is managed within agreed guidelines and does not exceed allocation without prior agreement.

Offer innovative and creative approaches to CEAC’s programmes and activities.

• Creative, achievable, innovative approaches are developed that enhance and build on CEAC’s existing programmes and activities. 

Support selection of arts and crafts products for the Gallery Shop as a member of the ‘panel’ coordinated by the Gallery Shop Coordinator.

• Involvement with the selection of Gallery Shop product as member of selection panel according to product selection guidelines. 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

CEAC Director, WACDT Board members, and CEAC staff and volunteers; in particular Education Manager, Event Coordinators, Marketing Coordinator and Gallery Shop Coordinator.

Other visual arts organisations, networks and facilities.

Key Auckland Council staff as required.

A wide range of visual artists, including studio artists based at CEAC and artists and arts organisations with non-European backgrounds.

Arts organisations based at CEAC, e.g. WCCAC, Pacifica Centre.

Media representatives (in coordination with CEAC Marketing Coordinator)

KEY COMPETENCIES:

Proven experience in programming and curating exhibitions and ideally a tertiary qualification related to the role.

A broad knowledge of NZ visual art, and strong networks in the visual arts community. 

Well planned, good organisational skills, time management and effective problem solving abilities.

Strong ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with diverse individuals and communities.

A high level of skill in verbal and written communication.

Confidence, skill and ease in public presentations.

Ability to work across diverse cultural territory.

A strong sense of design principles, together with innovation and flair.

Highly motivated, professional and able to take initiative.

Ability to create systems and maintain clear documentation.

Solid administrative skills and above average technical competency with Word, Outlook, Excel and Powerpoint in particular.