Overview of the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) is Australia’s leading museum of contemporary art, dedicated to exhibiting, collecting, and interpreting the work of living artists. Located on the edge of Sydney Harbour, at Tallawoladah, the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the MCA is the museum for the art of our times, providing a vital platform for art in Australia and beyond.
The MCA makes contemporary art and ideas widely accessible through its exhibitions, public engagement, learning, access, and social impact programs. The MCA Collection, including over 4,600 artworks, is the only public collection in Australia dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. Over a third of the MCA Collection is represented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
Overview of the position
This is a fantastic opportunity to join our dynamic Public Engagement team in producing outstanding programs for broad and diverse audiences. Candidates will be passionate about creating progressive, high-quality programs that engage with and reflect contemporary culture.
This role will lead on development and delivery of a range of Public Program events – for audiences ranging from the curious yet uncertain, to the art-engaged – as well as the Family Program of activities, in line with the MCA Strategy and the Audience Engagement Plan. They will confidently collaborate with MCA colleagues, artists, specialists from other fields and partners, bringing knowledge of contemporary art and ideas, and its role and relevance to current society.
The successful applicant will bring a solid understanding of contemporary, innovative approaches to audience engagement programming in Australian art institutions and beyond, as well as a proven record of creating outstanding public engagement programs.
The successful applicant will be open to change. They will bring ideas and cognitive flexibility when approaching changes to existing and shaping new programs and events.
Tasks and responsibilities of the position
- Lead the planning, development and delivery of a range of Public Programs and Family Programs, in dialogue with the MCA Curatorial program, using the space of the contemporary art museum.
- Contribute knowledge of the Australian and international arts sector to devising programs that are at the forefront of arts engagement.
- Initiate and build relationships with stakeholders, including artists, Divisional colleagues, and external partners.
- Implement evaluation methods into program planning where required and produce reports from resulting data.
- Supervise colleagues supporting the development and delivery of activity, providing resources and information for their success.
- Forecast budgets with the Public Engagement Manager and lead on carrying out financial processes to maintain and monitor them.
- Work with the Public Engagement Manager on long-term program planning, bringing strategic thinking and embedding sustainability.
- Deliver all administrative and logistical responsibilities of the role and supervise supporting staff when applicable.
Key selection criteria
Essential criteria
- 3-4 years’ experience of devising public programs for a range of audiences.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects with competing schedules, deadlines, and partners.
- Ability to apply rigorous thinking and problem-solving skills.
- An awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
- Current knowledge of international sector developments and contemporary art.
- Ability to work in a team environment and to work with a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Confidence managing budgets and financial processes.
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience programming for Families or intergenerational audiences, and for broad adult audiences.
- Excellent knowledge of local and state-wide arts networks and communities.
- Experience creating, implementing and collecting program evaluation in line with wider organisational goals and objectives.
- Experience of producing reports and proposals for funder/ Board level.
- Experience of working with artists, academics and other specialists to develop high-quality programs with audiences at the forefront.
- Experience of developing new program ideas and content in dialogue with a Curatorial program.
More Information
Please visit the MCA website for information on how to apply, and to view the full position description.
Closing date
9am, Friday 5 May 2023.
The MCA encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, and people from diverse cultures. The MCA acknowledges the enormous contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, staff, educators, arts professionals, and guests have made to the fabric of the museum since its inception. Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art practice has long been central to MCA collection and exhibition programs.
