Curator at Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa

Organisation: Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA)
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Salary: Not specified
Contract: Permanent
Application deadline: 11 October 2026

Zeitz MOCAA is seeking a Curator to research, develop and deliver exhibitions, publications and related programmes focused on contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora.

Reporting to the Senior Curator and Head of Curatorial Affairs, the postholder will manage exhibition teams, budgets and timelines, collaborate with artists and partner institutions, and lead the Zeitz MOCAA–University of the Western Cape Fellowship Programme.

Responsibilities

The Curator will lead assigned exhibitions from conceptual development through to de-installation, working with artists and the museum’s exhibitions, collections and registration teams. They will develop exhibition texts, interpretation and project documentation, contribute to future programming, and support fundraising and grant applications.

Research and publishing are central to the role. The postholder will undertake original research on artists, collections and exhibition themes, producing essays, books, catalogues and other curatorial materials. They will also contribute to the development of the African Art Resource Centre.

As lead of the Fellowship Programme, the Curator will coordinate delivery with university partners, oversee recruitment and cohort progress, supervise the Fellowship Coordinator and provide mentorship to fellows. They will also help develop an alumni programme.

The role includes managing and mentoring curatorial colleagues, monitoring project expenditure, building professional networks across Africa and internationally, and representing the museum through talks, tours, conferences and other public activities.

Candidate profile

Applicants must have a master’s degree in curatorial practice, art history, curatorial studies, visual culture, museum studies or a related field, alongside five to ten years of relevant experience and a demonstrated record of developing and delivering exhibitions.

Zeitz MOCAA seeks strong curatorial research and writing skills, experience working directly with artists, and the ability to manage complex projects and supervise teams. Knowledge of modern and contemporary art, particularly artistic and cultural production from Africa and its diaspora, is essential.

A PhD or additional postgraduate qualification is an advantage, as are substantial publication experience, established professional networks and knowledge of African languages, French, Portuguese, Spanish or Arabic.

Applicants should be willing to work evenings and weekends when required. Zeitz MOCAA particularly welcomes applications from suitably qualified Historically Disadvantaged Individuals.