Assistant Curator

Published on 10 January 2024

Role Purpose

The Assistant Curator will support Mathaf’s curatorial department. They will help create and deliver high-quality exhibitions and activities. This role includes participating in research, development, and display of the Collection and temporary exhibitions. The Assistant Curator will work on various tasks, including exhibition and collection-based projects and day-to-day administration. They will also contribute to the development of the exhibition and program strategy.

Key Accountabilities

Exhibition Display

• Assist in curating exhibitions, handling and installing artworks.
• Develop exhibition collateral, research information, and liaise with artists and donors.
• Plan and deliver temporary collection displays and special exhibitions.
• Create and edit interpretive materials, like wall texts and gallery guides.
• Develop exhibition layouts and installation plans.
• Liaise with loaners and draft loan letters.
• Handle artwork packing, transportation, and storage.
• Author and organize projects, including collection and special exhibitions.
• Oversee exhibition development, scheduling, and logistics.
• Maintain documentation and updates of exhibition and artistic program plans.
• Collaborate with Collections, Exhibitions, Education, and Research departments.
• Provide tours and tour services as per Mathaf’s schedule.

Public Programs

• Develop and deliver public programs, including forums, seminars, and talks.
• Coordinate and edit publications and related materials.
• Oversee program development, scheduling, and logistics.

Research and Publishing

• Provide content for departmental projects.
• Conduct original research and write on Collection artists/artworks.
• Organize and moderate Curatorial and Research seminars.
• Liaise with authors and reviewers for Mathaf Encyclopedia.
• Support editing and translation of Mathaf Encyclopedia entries.
• Write for Mathaf’s exhibition catalogues.
• Secure publication materials and content.

Collection and Acquisitions

• Manage and present artistic and cultural collections.
• Propose artists and artworks for acquisitions.
• Conduct curatorial checks and write texts on Emu.
• Conduct audits and inventories with Collections and Conservation departments.
• Update curatorial information on Emu.

Administration and Management

• Budget and manage projects for exhibitions and public programs.
• Contribute to annual program planning and budget estimations.
• Collaborate on contracts with Operations and QM Legal departments.
• Supervise Mathaf Curatorial and Research interns.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Broad knowledge in painting conservation, especially in modern and contemporary materials.
• Experience in exhibition development and critical writing in Modern and Contemporary Art.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic; other languages beneficial.
• Strong research skills and a record of writing and publication.
• BA degree or higher in a related subject (Art History, Curating, Humanities, Theory, Visual Culture); post-graduate qualification preferred.
• 4-6 years of work experience.