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Curator

Curator

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Curator, Exhibitions – Art Jameel

Location: Jameel Arts Centre

Reporting to: Deputy Director and Head of Exhibitions and Programmes

Line managing: Assistant Curator, Exhibitions

Art Jameel is looking for an experienced curator to plan and deliver an ambitious exhibitions and commissions programme at the Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai as part of Art Jameel’s global curatorial team.  Based in Dubai, the role reports to the Deputy Director and Head of Exhibitions and Programmes. This position is suited to a curator with at least five years’ experience and good knowledge of international contemporary arts, with a strong global network and an understanding of the regional context within which Art Jameel is based (MENA/SA). The role sits within Art Jameel’s global curatorial team which includes colleagues based at Hayy Jameel in Jeddah.

Working alongside members of the exhibitions team, the Exhibitions Curator will lead on the conception, research and implementation of exhibitions, related public programmes and publications as well as large scale commissions at the Jameel Arts Centre. They will actively build connections with local, regional and international artists as well as forge strong regional and global partnerships for exhibition development, touring opportunities and co-productions. Together with the development team, they will take an active role in identifying opportunities for exhibitions and programmes support. They will contribute to research around the Art Jameel collection and input into the acquisitions strategy, suggesting works for acquisition and working with the Head of Collections to build up the Art Jameel collection.

Original research and the development of timely and pertinent ideas is at the core of the Exhibitions Curator role, supporting the Head of Exhibitions in setting the tone and tenor of an exhibitions and arts programme that is robust, deeply researched, responsive and original. The Exhibitions Curator will support in managing the Exhibitions Team as needed and will directly oversee the Assistant Curator, Exhibitions. They will publicly represent Art Jameel as and when necessary and support the senior leadership team in crafting a public profile for Art Jameel in the region and beyond.

While this role is based at the Jameel Arts Centre in Dubai, we operate as a global team and colleagues are expected to interact and work with colleagues at both Hayy Jameel and the Jameel Arts Centre as necessary.

Essential:  At least five years’ experience working with and producing displays, exhibitions or a permanent collection.

Fluency in English is essential, with a preference for fluency in Arabic (both reading and writing) or other relevant regional languages.

Essential Duties Include:
Research & Curatorial:

  • Deliver well researched, timely and pertinent exhibitions at the Jameel Arts Centre, and from time to time, at Hayy Jameel
  • Conduct curatorial research and input into setting the exhibitions programme at the Jameel Arts Centre
  • Support the Head of Exhibitions in setting the strategy and exhibitions and programmes at the Jameel Arts Centre
  • Write and edit curatorial texts on exhibitions and related programmes
  • Write and edit collateral for exhibitions and programmes
  • Curate, and where relevant, contribute to public programmes, including symposia, talks and seminars
  • Lead editorially on publications, and where relevant contribute texts and essays
  • Curate films for Gallery 9, Jameel Arts Centre’s dedicated film gallery
  • Develop, keep track of, and report on budgets
  • Work with the development team to identify opportunities for exhibitions and programmes support
  • Work with the Exhibitions Manager to ensure smooth implementation of exhibitions and the meeting of exhibition planning milestones
  • Work with the Exhibitions Manager to ensure the touring of Art Jameel exhibitions
  • Develop strong local, regional and international networks in the arts and related disciplines
  • Represent Art Jameel publicly, building a public profile through participation in symposia, conferences and talks
  • Lead tours of exhibitions and the Jameel Arts Centre for visitor groups

 

Leadership:

  • Effectively line manage the Assistant Curator, Exhibitions including conducting bi-annual performance reviews
  • Support in the management of the Exhibitions Team and external partners and stakeholders as needed
  • Support the Head of Exhibitions in putting together strategy presentations for internal and external use
  • Contribute to the upholding of an ethical, open and responsive workplace

 Qualifications and requirements:

  • Master’s Degree in Art History, Museum Studies, or related field
  • Excellent writing, research and project management skills, plus proven attention to detail
  • At least five years’ demonstrable experience working with and producing displays, exhibitions or a permanent collection
  • Demonstrable experience devising and producing public programmes, such as talks, panel discussions and seminars
  • Written and spoken fluency in English is required. Written and spoken fluency in Arabic is desirable. Other relevant languages (for example: Urdu, Hindi, Malayalam, Tagalog, Farsi, French) are also useful
  • Strong interpersonal and organisational skills
  • Well developed public speaking skills
  • A broad knowledge of international contemporary art, with a good knowledge of regional arts practices and discourses [MENA, SA]

Benefits include

  • Health insurance
  • 25 days annual leave
  • Revive days
  • Biannual Training day
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