Assistant Exhibitions and Collections Curator

SALARY
SUPERANNUATION Employer contribution of 9.5%
CONTACT
FOR ENQUIRIES ONLY
Gail Harradine
M | 0458 672 176
addressing the Key Selection Criteria to this contact.
TARGETED
RECRUIMENT
The role is a First Nations-identified position. Applicants must
be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
The Koorie Heritage Trust considers that being an Aboriginal or a
Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this
position under sub-s 26(3) or s 28 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2019
(Vic). The Assistant Curator, Exhibitions and Collections is First Nations identified role, and is responsible for
assisting in the development, co-ordination and delivery of a dynamic exhibition program, including collection
displays, and accompanying public programs that increases our engagement with Indigenous and nonIndigenous communities, reaches new audiences and enriches our visitor experience. Under the supervision
of the Curatorial Manager, you will collaborate with Koorie and Victorian-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander artists and guest curators to deliver an outstanding program of exhibitions, events and collection
displays that showcases the diversity of Koorie art and culture. You will also undertake collection management
projects in the care, development, and interpretation of the Koorie Heritage Trust’s Collections of artworks,
artefacts, photographic archives, oral histories and library resources.
Our values of Respect, Honesty, Reciprocity and Curiosity meet our stated vision and mission to promote,
support and celebrate the continuing journey of the Aboriginal people of South Eastern Australia. We hold the
only collection in Australia dedicated to the Koorie art and culture of South Eastern Australia including historic
and contemporary artworks and objects, oral histories, photographic archives and a reference library. Our
collections provide a tangible link to connect the Koorie community to the past and assist in the ongoing
building of contemporary Aboriginal culture in Victoria.
Our exhibition program consists of solo and group exhibitions, commissions, guest curated shows, collection
displays, and our annual open-entry award exhibition, the Koorie Art Show. In particular, we pride ourselves
on fostering the careers of emerging to senior Koorie artists through the creation of new works, publications,
and curated exhibitions. We are especially keen to implement new and innovative methods for the
presentation of our exhibitions and curatorial displays including multidisciplinary artforms and audio-visual
technology.
This position offers a rare opportunity to work in a team of highly motivated staff in the heart of Melbourne
CBD at Federation Square. The role sits within our Curatorial Team reporting to the Curatorial Manager.
1. Selection Criteria
1.1 ESSENTIAL
- An understanding and knowledge of the culture and heritage of the Aboriginal people of South

East Australia, and demonstrated experience in working with this community.
- An understanding of Indigenous arts and cultural practice nationally and internationally.
- Sound knowledge of, and experience in professional museum practice including curatorship,

research, cataloguing and publications.
- Demonstrated willingness to learn and acquire necessary skills in planning, managing and

coordinating exhibitions, curatorial displays and commissioning new works, including installation.
- Demonstrated experience in working with artists and cultural facilitators to develop and deliver

arts programming.
- Demonstrated willingness to learn and acquire necessary skills to undertake collection

management activities including artwork handling, preservation activities, database management,
digitisation, and coordinating the development and acquisition of new items into the collections.
- Demonstrated ability to plan, manage and prioritise a heavy workload.
- Demonstrated ability to manage a calendar, timelines and ability to stick to deadlines.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking, presentation skills, and

writing for marketing and promotional materials.
- Thorough understanding of basic computer skills such as word processing, digital calendars,
- Experience in working within a small team.

1.2 DESIRABLE
- Tertiary qualifications in museum studies, curatorship, art history, arts

management/administration, or a related discipline. Experience in collection management and/or conservation.
- Knowledge and understanding of curatorial practice/discourse.

2. Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Curatorial Manager and working with senior exhibitions, collections and public programming

**staff, the role will be responsible for**:

- Assisting to develop and deliver an exhibition program that aligns with the Koorie Heritage Trust’s

strategic goals, our purpose and vision.
- Assisting in the development of collection displays, drawing on and interpreting our collections of

artworks, artefacts,