Organizer Information
Canberra Contemporary is Kamberri/Canberra’s leading contemporary Visual Arts organization. Established in 1987 through the merger of Bitumen River Gallery (1981) and the Arts Council Gallery, Canberra Contemporary operates as a not-for-profit registered charity. The organization provides artists—emerging, mid-career, and established—with opportunities to create and exhibit ambitious work across multiple disciplines. Canberra Contemporary runs two spaces: its main gallery in Parkes and a satellite project space, Platform, in Manuka. Supported by the Australian Government via Creative Australia and the ACT Government through artsACT, the institution prioritizes inclusion, equity, and sustainability, while fostering professional development and national/international engagement in the contemporary arts sector.
Title & Description
Curator + Program Manager – Canberra Contemporary
This part-time, ongoing role (0.8 FTE) combines Curatorial expertise with
program management responsibilities. The position is responsible for curating in-house exhibitions, managing special projects with partner organizations, and supporting artists and external curators to realize high-quality, ambitious artistic projects. The Curator + Program Manager plays a pivotal role in shaping Canberra Contemporary’s annual program, including exhibitions, public programs, artists’ talks, and publications, ensuring both national relevance and international visibility.
Role Overview
- Salary: AUD $68,000 – $72,000 per annum (pro rata), plus 12% superannuation, with annual and personal leave in accordance with the Fair Work Act.
- Contract Type: Ongoing Part-time (30 hours per week, 0.8 FTE), subject to a 6-month probation. Flexible work hours may be required for exhibition openings or public programs.
- Reporting To: Artistic Director + CEO
- Supervises: Exhibition installation staff, gallery interns, and mentees
- Peer Staff: Communications + Engagement Coordinator, Administration Coordinator
- Programme/Project: Main gallery exhibitions, Platform projects, public programs, special collaborative initiatives
Position & Tasks
Artistic Program & Public Programs
- Curate in-house group exhibitions, including annual Member shows and Blaze projects.
- Collaborate with partner organizations to develop special projects.
- Oversee the production, installation, and deinstallation of exhibitions at Canberra Contemporary and Platform.
- Draft exhibition and loan agreements, manage freight logistics, project budgets, and technical support.
- Administer the annual Open Call / EOI process at Platform.
- Facilitate public programs, opening events, and artist talks in collaboration with artists and curators.
- Conduct curatorial research to identify growth areas within the Artistic Program.
Gallery Management & Facilities
- Work across both gallery spaces (the main gallery in Parkes and the Platform in Manuka).
- Supervise casual installation staff and gallery operations.
- Coordinate AV and technical requirements for exhibitions and programs.
- Maintain gallery equipment, tools, and physical assets.
Other Arts Administration
- Contribute to departmental budget forecasting, reporting, and individual project management.
- Represent Canberra Contemporary nationally and internationally in contemporary arts networks.
- Assist with funding applications, strategic planning, branding, and marketing.
- Mentor emerging artists, interns, and volunteers.
- Ensure compliance with Occupational Health & Safety standards.
Categories
Eligibility
- Must have the right to live and work in Australia.
- Early-career or mid-career curators with experience in contemporary art.
- Experience curating exhibitions and managing all aspects of exhibition planning.
- Familiarity with First Nations artists and diverse communities.
- Strong project, time, and team management skills.
- Excellent communication skills, including for public engagement.
Program Benefits
- Competitive pro-rated salary and superannuation.
- Flexible work arrangements and supportive workplace culture.
- Opportunity to contribute to a nationally recognized Visual Arts program with international reach.
- Mentorship and professional development opportunities.
- Hands-on experience across exhibition production, public programs, and operational leadership.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- 1–3 page written response addressing the selection criteria.
- 1–2 page CV including contact details for two referees.
- Optional 1-page writing sample (exhibition review, catalogue essay, or curatorial text).
How to Apply?
Submit as a single PDF to Sophia Cai, Artistic Director + CEO:
director@canberracontemporary.com.au with subject line: “Curator + Program Manager”.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 20 February 2026
- Interview Week Commences: 2026/03/03
- Start Date: Flexible (part-time, ongoing)
Location
Canberra Contemporary, 44 Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Parkes ACT,
Australia
Additional Details
- Flexible work arrangements required; some evening and weekend work for exhibitions/events.
- Commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity; applications encouraged from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQI+ individuals, culturally and linguistically diverse applicants, and people with disability.
- Engagement with local, national, and international contemporary arts networks.
- Mentorship of interns and emerging artists included in role responsibilities.
