Head Curator

The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) is a dedicated museum that showcases the exquisite artefacts from Palace Museum’s collections and collaborates with other museums in research, exhibition, education and public programmes.  The museum comprises 7,600 square metres of gallery space for standing and special exhibitions on Palace Museum’s collections of paintings, calligraphy, antiquities and historical objects, as well as thematic displays on world cultures and civilisations.  With the construction work in full swing for completion in 2022, the HKPM is seeking a Head Curator who assumes a leadership role in shaping and implementing the HKPM’s research, exhibition, publication and curatorial programmes.  Reporting to the Deputy Director, Curatorial and Programming, the Head Curator directs and supervises the Curatorial Section comprising 5 multi-disciplinary units, namely painting and calligraphy, antiquities, history and heritage, digital interpretation and visual culture with a total of 38 curatorial staff.  The position provides leadership and expertise in the formulation of the interpretation plans for future standing and special exhibitions, as well as curatorial policies and strategic plans in support of the HKPM’s institutional goals.  Upon opening of the HKPM, the position leads the curatorial teams in presenting a dynamic and diverse programme of approximately 13 exhibitions a year.

You will be responsible for:

• assisting the Deputy Director in formulating and implementing curatorial policies, including the policies of acquisition, research and exhibition, as well as strategic and corporate plans, in relation to the scope of exhibitions and curatorial programmes to fulfil the HKPM’s institutional goals;
• supervising and monitoring the planning and implementation of a dynamic mix of exhibitions, research, publications and curatorial activities, with an aim to engage diverse audiences for the HKPM, to develop their understanding of Chinese arts and culture and awareness of its significance as a vital social and cultural force;
• negotiating with the Palace Museum on matters related to the arrangement of displaying its collection in the HKPM’s standing and special exhibitions, as well as other collaborations on research and curatorial matters;
• developing relationships and networks with international and regional museums and institutions, as well as stakeholder groups such as collectors, donors, and partners to identify collaborative opportunities;
• planning and implementing pre-opening programmes including public engagement, cultural exchange, audience-building, research, collection and exhibition, etc., and create awareness from the local, regional and global attention to the HKPM prior to its opening;
• managing the Curatorial team by providing coaching and guidance to staff members for delivering exhibitions and programming from conception through to implementation in a professional manner as well as plan for staff training and career development; and
• preparing and monitoring the annual budget related to exhibitions and curatorial programming at the HKPM.

You should:

• possess a recognised university degree or above in History, Art History, Fine Arts, Archaeology, Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Museum Studies, or other relevant fields;
• have at least 12 years of work experience in curating large-scale exhibition and other museum related work with strong reputation for scholarship and curatorship;
• possess good knowledge of museum policies, standards and practices, experience in conducting research, managing budget, publishing, personnel management;
• have extensive international connection relevant to museum;
• be able to work well under pressure to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks / projects concurrently; and
• have excellent written and oral communication skills in English, preferably with knowledge of Cantonese and Putonghua, or any other second language.