QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY QUEENSLAND GALLERY OF MODERN ART POSITION DESCRIPTION. Queensland Art Gallery Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane

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1 QUEENSLAND ART GALLERY QUEENSLAND GALLERY OF MODERN ART Job Ad Reference: QLD/QAG609/11 Closing Date: Monday 18 April 2011 POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE: LEVEL: LOCATION: Curator, Contemporary Australian Art PO4 ($78,268 - $84,318 per annum) Queensland Art Gallery Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane DATE OF REVIEW: March 2011 PURPOSE OF POSITION The purpose of this position is: To initiate and assist in the development of the Gallery s collection and exhibition program with particular emphasis on contemporary Australian art. To assist with the development, research, documentation, interpretation and care of the Contemporary Australian Art Collection. To initiate and develop materials that will allow for the innovative and scholarly presentation of the Contemporary Australian Art Collection through displays, exhibitions and related projects. To extend access to the Contemporary Australian Art Collection through lectures, publications, touring exhibitions and other related means. To contribute to inter-department curatorial teams on major projects as required. ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT The Queensland Art Gallery forms a major part of the Queensland Cultural Centre and is the State's most important resource for the visual arts. The new Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, which opened in 2006 as an expansion of the Queensland Art Gallery, provides the platform for exciting program and collection development opportunities. The Two sites one vision institution (the original Gallery and the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art) is managed under the one over-arching management structure. The Gallery currently has a multidisciplinary staff of approximately 180 and a volunteer program that includes Volunteer Guides and volunteers serving in the Library and Curatorial areas. The Gallery undertakes a regional exhibition program as well as offering professional services throughout the State.

2 The Gallery's Mission Statement is: To be the focus for the visual arts in Queensland and a dynamic and accessible art museum of international standing. CURATORIAL SECTION The Curatorial Section at the Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art is part of the Curatorial and Collection Development Program and is principally responsible for the development, research, documentation, display and interpretation of the Queensland Art Gallery Collection. The section enhances access to the Collection through the preparation of exhibitions and publications and the conduct of lectures and seminars. These activities aim to advance understanding of the visual arts and promote their role within cultural and community life. The Curatorial Section is organised into three curatorial departments: Australian Art, Australian & Pacific Art and International Art and the Australian Cinémathèque. Each is led by a Curatorial Manager with designated responsibility for that collection area. The Australian Collections contain many notable works, and encompass both Indigenous Australian Art and works dating from the beginnings of European settlement in Australia to the present. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS The position reports to the Curatorial Manager (Australian Art). The position may have delegated responsibility for the coordination and supervision of departmental staff, interns and volunteers. LIAISON AND COMMUNICATION The position will liaise and confer on a regular basis with the Curatorial Manager (Australian Art) and the other members of the Australian Art department, as well as with other curatorial section staff members. The position will also liaise with representatives of government departments and agencies, other art institutions, artists, curators, academics and researchers, art dealers, vendors, donors, community and cultural organisations, media, and members of the public. MAJOR DUTIES 1. Provide effective intellectual and curatorial expertise to the Australian Art department and participate in the initiation, support and development of acquisition and exhibition strategies to provide maximum access to the Australian and Pacific Art exhibitions, programs and collections. 2. Assess and recommend works of art for acquisition and monitor the availability and market value of works within the designated area of collection responsibility. Undertake the preparation of acquisition proposals for works entering the Contemporary Australian Art Collection.

3 3. Provide advice and assistance to the Curatorial Manager, Australian Art, in the overseeing of the strategic planning, development and implementation of the Contemporary Australian Art programs and resources for the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. 4. Participate in and provide creative input into Contemporary Australian Art exhibition projects. Under the direction of the Curatorial Manager, Australian Art, initiate, research, plan and co-ordinate the presentation of collection and non-collection based temporary exhibitions, along with regular lectures, seminars and publications as appropriate. 5. Undertake programs of high level research on the Contemporary Australian Art Collection and produce a range of supporting publications and documentation that enhances interpretation and knowledge of the Contemporary Australian Art Collection. 6. Supervise and undertake assessment and cataloguing of the collections and monitor display, valuation, conservation and restoration activities; supervise and maintain the accuracy and integrity of administrative and other records relevant to the development and management of the Contemporary Australian Art Collection. 7. Develop and maintain good working relationships with artists, curators, academics, art dealers and existing and potential donors and those likely to benefit the Gallery and its collections; this includes responding, as appropriate, to inquiries from curators, artists, academics, researchers and the general public. 8. Assist the Curatorial Manager, Australian Art, with the preparation of research papers, acquisition assessments and reports for Trustees. 9. Participate, when required, as a member of multi-disciplinary project teams and policy and planning bodies for specific projects and for the development of future Gallery programming, with special emphasis on the Gallery of Modern Art. KEY SELECTION CRITERIA The ideal applicant will be able to demonstrate the following capabilities as they apply to the major duties of the role: Technical - possession of relevant tertiary qualifications in art history, the visual arts or museum studies from a recognised tertiary institution. A demonstrated wide knowledge of contemporary Australian art is essential, from around 1970 onwards. Supports strategic direction understands the work environment and follows direction provided by supervisor. Knows where to find information, researches and analyses information to ensure a full understanding and makes recommendations. Achieves results contributes own expertise in applying knowledge of Australian and Pacific art, knowledge in the documentation, care, display and interpretation of museum collections and in assisting with the development, planning and preparation of exhibitions. Applies project management skills to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines and agreed outcomes. Creates and maintains accurate records, files, systems and procedures. Supports productive working relationships builds and sustains positive relationships with team members, internal clients and external service providers. Operates as an effective team member.

4 Displays personal drive and integrity acts professionally and within organisational processes and policies. Takes personal responsibility for accurate completion of work. Communicates with influence communicates in a clear and concise manner. Demonstrated high level research, written and oral communication skills. Structures written and oral communication to ensure clarity including producing interpretive texts and presenting lectures. Selection criteria for all roles within the Gallery are based on the Queensland Public Service Commission s Capability and Leadership Framework (CLF). This framework outlines a set of broad capabilities relevant to all positions within the agency. For further information on the CLF please go to NOTE: Applicants must address each of the KSCs ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The occupant must be willing to adapt to a flexible working arrangement, in which weekend, evening and public holiday work may be required. There is also a regular requirement for interstate and overseas travel. A non-smoking policy is effective in Queensland Government buildings, offices and motor vehicles. Applications will remain current for up to 12 months after closing date. Subject to Section 126 of the Public Service Act 2008, any successful applicant who is not a current permanent employee of the Queensland Public Service will initially be appointed for a minimum three month probationary period. For further information about this role contact Julie Ewington on (07)

5 Applicants are requested to submit applications on-line through Smart Jobs and Careers ( However you may wish to submit your application by , mail or fax. If so, please use the application coversheet that has been attached as a separate word document in addition to the position description and guide for applicants on To submit your application, choose only one of the following options. 1. Submit your application on-line through Smart Jobs and Careers website ( You will receive a system-generated acknowledgement. 2. Send one (1) copy of your complete application, including a coversheet to the following address. Your application must reach us on Monday 18 April Acknowledgement of application will be sent by post. HR Coordinator (Recruitment Services) Corporate Administration Agency PO Box 3159 or 35 Merivale Street South Brisbane QLD your application to recruitment@caa.qld.gov.au (quoting the JAR (Job Ad Reference) and position title in the Subject heading of the ). Acknowledgement of application will be sent by . Applications should be in Microsoft word or pdf format only. Please ensure that the attachments are the correct version you want submitted as your application. Please ensure that all tracked changes are accepted and you the FINAL version i.e. do not a document that has tracking changes on and is showing the actual markups / changes. The Corporate Administration Agency cannot accept the changes to your documents and will print out this final version to be submitted as your application i.e. the marked up version showing your changes will be sent to the panel. If you find that you have any changes to your application once you have submitted it, please your entire application again. Use Update, JAR and position title in the Subject heading of the . Your previous application will be destroyed. 4. Fax your complete application to (07) Acknowledgement of application will be sent by post. The selection process is undertaken by the Agency where the position is located. If you have any enquiries during the recruitment and selection process, in particular regarding the shortlisting, please contact the person that was listed as the contact for the vacancy in the advertisement or in the position description.