The NAGN is the leading institution for celebrating, collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and researching visual art and craft as a component of Namibia’s identity, cultural heritage and human connectedness.

CHIEF CURATOR (3-month contract) x 1
REPORTING DIRECTLY TO: Chief Executive Officer
JOB GRADING: Lower Quartile of Tier 1 salary band for senior management positions within the Public Enterprises’ Government Notice No. 174 of 12 August 2010, as amended in the Government Gazette No.69 of 2018
DUTY STATION: Windhoek

Primary Purpose of the Position
The incumbent will provide leadership in expressing the cultural mandate of the NAGN and is responsible for the development and implementation of the education, outreach and curatorial activities of the Gallery, including but not limited to, acquisitions and display of the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions

1.COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT

• Management of the art collections in the custody of the NAGN Member of the Acquisitions Committee
• Recommend work to be purchased for the collection Accessioning and cataloguing of collections
• Preservation of art objects
• Management of the Conservation and storage of the collection
• Research and Documentation of the collection and artist that are represented in the collection

2. DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT EXHIBITIONS

• Conceptualising, planning and installing exhibitions
• Writing critical reviews of exhibitions
• The research and publication of texts for media, catalogues and short publications Serve as additional member on the Exhibitions Committee.
• Identifying potential artist and collectors to exhibit in the NAGN spaces
• Training other Gallery staff on exhibition presentation and information

3. MANAGEMENT OF THE PLANNING AND COMPILING OF THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION SHEDULE

• Cataloguing of temporary exhibitions
• Coordinating effective promotion of exhibitions and related programs
• Ensuring the effective exhibition protocol to ensure continuity.
• Initiating, promoting and motivating exhibitions of outstanding quality
• Efficient and effective curation of exhibitions both for the collections as well as the temporary exhibitions

4. ADMINISTRATION

• Management of the curatorial department staff
• Budgeting
• Planning and reporting
• Proposal writing
• Efficient networking with artists
• Fundraising
• Networking with other art galleries and museums locally and internationally Team work
• Research and text writing
• Critical research and writing for exhibitions and collections
• Direct research and publication of the Gallery
• Excellent Gallery visitor relations

5. ANY OTHER RELEVANT DUTIES AS REQUESTED BY THE IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR

• Member of the Internal Procurement Committee of the NAGN
• Member of the Senior Management Committee of the NAGN
• Representing NAGN on other cultural platforms as appointed by the immediate supervisor
• Requirements Qualifications
  • a) Level 8 qualification (Honours degree level) in visual arts or visual culture, majoring in art history, curating and arts management as an added advantage.
    OR
    Level 8 qualification in Museum & Heritage Management Curating Contemporary Art, African Art or Design and Collections Management and Preservation Studies.
  • b) Five years and more relevant experience in specific working for an Art Gallery or an Art Museum.
  • c) Experience in the Visual Art Sector

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Excellent command of written and spoken English. (A second and third language will be an advantage) Computer software skills, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• A working command of InDesign and/or Photoshop and/or Dreamweaver will be an advantage.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
• Sound knowledge of and interest in contemporary visual art, with emphasis on African, southern African and Namibian art
• Well informed of contemporary international art developments and pedagogy.
• Knowledge of Namibian and southern African art collections.
• Ability to research and write on relevant topics for varied publications. Be able to work in a team but also independently
  Knowledge of Namibia’s urban and rural areas
• Able to adjust to different working environments
• Work as team member of curation division with an ability to assist and guide where required Self-starter with excellent administrative and communicative skills.
• Expert in demonstrating broad knowledge of art in Namibia and the SADC Region. Commitment to improve quality of service.
• Ability to work under pressure and willingness irregular hours. Team builder.
• Comprehensive visual arts knowledge is a pre-requisite.
• Code B driver’s license

The NAGN application form and CV with certified copies of qualifications, should be hand delivered at the National Art Gallery of Namibia. The Gallery is situated on the corner of Robert Mugabe and John Meinert Ave, Windhoek. Alternatively post to P O Box 994, Windhoek, Namibia.

Please request or download the application form from http://www.nagn.org.na
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
For enquiries, please contact the HOD Marketing and Communications, Ms Beau-Ann Ferris on +264 61 231 160.
Closing date: 12 August 2022 at 17h00

nagn.org.na