Curator

Hocken Collections is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading research libraries with documentary heritage collections of national significance. Our art collection is one of the largest in the country, with over 18,000 historic, modern and contemporary artworks, many iconic within the history of Aotearoa New Zealand art. We support the teaching, learning, and research needs of academics and students from the University of Otago, Otago Polytechnic as well as other academic, professional, and independent researchers who value the diverse nature and accessibility of our collections. We present a programme of curated exhibitions in the Hocken Gallery, as well as managing active collecting, digitisation and loan programmes.

Each year we collaborate with the University of Otago’s Frances Hodgkins Fellow to present an exhibition and publication featuring the new art made during their year-long artist’s residency in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

The role

Reporting to the Head Curator Pictorial Collections, the Curator Art is responsible for developing, activating, promoting and preserving Hocken’s art collections to ensure it is accessible, relevant and discoverable for all researchers now and in the future.

Key responsibilities for this role:

• Contribute to the expert development, management, and preservation of the art collections.
• Increase awareness, understanding and engagement with the art collections as a research and teaching resource by actively connecting it to key communities and stakeholders including object-based learning for University classes, school and community groups.
• Foster knowledge and understanding of te ao Māori and Toi Māori with the University and wider community through engagement activities and in close dialogue with iwi and Māori communities.
• Contribute to the Pictorial programme by developing, curating, marketing and promoting exhibitions, publications and other public engagement activities.
• Increase the accessibility of the collection through enhanced catalogue descriptions and digitisation programmes.
• Respond to researcher enquiries remotely and in person.

Your skills and experience

Successful candidates will have:

• A postgraduate qualification in Art History, Fine Arts, Museum Studies, Māori Studies, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated recent curatorial experience preferably in an art gallery or museum context.
• Demonstrated commitment to increasing public access to and knowledge about art, including from a te ao Māori perspective.
• Familiarity with using collection databases to catalogue works and enhance their discoverability for researchers.
• A commitment to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• A high level of cultural competence in engaging within Māori communities.
• Knowledge of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.