Curator North Africa
OVERVIEW
Job Title: Curator North Africa
Division: Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
Department: Curatorial Affairs
Section: Curatorial Affairs
Reports To: Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs
Role Purpose
The Curator will develop and deliver high quality content for exhibitions and related activities for Mathaf in line with the Museum’s vision and history, participating in research, development, and display of the Collection and temporary exhibitions, publications and interpretation, and all related activities of the department. This key position supports the museum’s curatorial and program strategy in response to Mathaf’s mission and goals.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITES
- Work with the Museum Collection, artists, partners, and colleagues to research and develop highly inventive and relevant exhibitions and programs
- Initiate, organize and author programs from initial idea to completion, including: Collection and special exhibitions, commissions and productions, publications, talks, screenings, broadcast material, digital or online work and investigations of displays and archives
- Responsible for development and delivery of exhibitions and programs, scheduling and logistics in coordination with other staff; oversee a timely delivery of exhibitions
- Provide content for departmental projects related to exhibitions and events, overseeing proper reproduction of images and copy-rights. Keep an updated account of all exhibition and artistic program plans
- Work with colleagues in the Collections, Exhibitions, Education and Research departments to share curatoria content and updates
- Develop, coordinate, edit and oversee writing for exhibition and publication related materials (hard copies and digital)
- Preparation and delivery of high-quality presentations to various audiences (e.g. lectures, gallery talks for sponsors, patrons, visitors);
- Responsible for interpretation; support translation and editing of interpretive materials (Arabic/English)
- Conduct original research and writing on Collection artists/artworks as agreed in the Collections development strategy for exhibitions, projects, talks, etc.; includes research and propose artists and artworks for acquisition
QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS
Necessary knowledge and skills to be able to do the job
- Broad knowledge of contemporary and modern art, artists, and art world networks internationally, in North Africa, in the Middle East and the Arab world in general; experience of application in a museum environment
- Substantial experience in research associated with the creation and development of exhibitions;
- Experience with publication and critical writing in Modern and Contemporary Art
- Research skills and evidence of writing and publications
- Excellent writing and communication skills (English & Arabic) other languages suitable
Education and certification requirement
- Master’s degree from a recognized conservation program or educated in a BA degree or equivalent higher academic qualification in a related subject (Art History/Curating /Humanities/Theory/ Visual Culture); post-graduate qualification preferred professional conservation qualification to degree level. Specialization in object conservation
Experience required
- 5 to 8 years of experience in a similar role; preference for curatorial and/or museum experience. At least 3 years’ experience in developing and delivering high-quality exhibitions