Organizer Information
The opportunity is offered by TarraWarra Museum of Art, a leading not-for-profit public art gallery located in the Yarra Valley region of Victoria, Australia. Founded by Marc Besen AC and the late Eva Besen AO, the museum is housed in an award-winning, purpose-built building designed by architect Allan Powell and is internationally recognised for its contribution to contemporary Australian and international art discourse. Since opening in 2003, TarraWarra Museum of Art has built a strong reputation for curating ambitious exhibitions and presenting innovative public programs focused on 20th and 21st-century art.
The museum operates as a culturally significant institution on Wurundjeri Country, with a strong commitment to First Nations voices, cultural safety, inclusion, and equitable access. Its programming is guided by a strategic vision that connects art, place, and ideas while fostering meaningful engagement with diverse audiences. The institution also maintains a substantial collection of over 600 works of Australian art and actively develops exhibitions in collaboration with artists, curators, and partner institutions both nationally and internationally.
Title & Description
Exhibitions Manager Job – TarraWarra Museum of Art
This opportunity is for a senior-level exhibitions production and management role responsible for overseeing the full lifecycle delivery of museum exhibitions—from planning and budgeting through to installation, display, and deinstallation. The role sits at the intersection of curatorial practice, project management, and technical production within a contemporary art museum context.
The Exhibitions Manager ensures that all exhibitions are delivered to a high standard of professional excellence, meeting artistic, logistical, financial, and safety requirements. Working closely with curators, artists, designers, registrars, and external contractors, the role supports the realization of ambitious exhibitions and commissioned artworks. It also plays a key role in ensuring that exhibitions align with the museum’s broader mission of connecting art, place, and ideas while engaging audiences and supporting sector-wide collaboration.
The Role Overview
- Position: Exhibitions Manager
- Reports to: General Manager, TarraWarra Museum of Art
- Employment Type: Full-time (38 hours per week)
- Salary: AUD $80,000 – $85,000 + 12% superannuation
- Work Model: Hybrid (minimum 3 days per week onsite)
- Installation Period Requirement: Full-time onsite (5 days/week during installs; accommodation may be provided)
- Special Conditions: Attendance required for 3–4 annual exhibition openings (Sundays)
- Contract Type: Ongoing employment (not explicitly fixed-term; standard employment contract)
Position & Tasks
- Leading exhibition production from concept through installation and deinstallation
- Managing project timelines, budgets, and delivery schedules
- Coordinating artists, curators, designers, technicians, and external contractors
- Overseeing installation logistics, object handling, and exhibition design implementation
- Ensuring compliance with OHSE (Occupational Health, Safety & Environment) requirements
- Preparing and managing loan agreements, contracts, and exhibition documentation
- Supervising installation teams and managing on-the-floor exhibition execution
- Liaising with registrars regarding freight, conservation, and condition reporting
- Supporting touring exhibitions and inter-institutional collaboration
- Ensuring exhibitions are delivered safely, on time, and within budget
- Maintaining high-quality audience presentation standards throughout the exhibition duration
Categories
- Visual Art
- Contemporary Art
- Museum Studies
- Exhibition Production
- Curatorial Practice
- Arts Management
- Installation Art / Exhibition Design
- Cultural Heritage / Museum Operations
Eligibility
- Have a qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience
- Demonstrate at least 5 years’ experience managing exhibitions in a gallery/museum context
- Have full working rights in Australia
- Hold a full driver’s licence and own a registered vehicle
- Be willing to obtain a Working with Children Check
- Pass a criminal history check
- Demonstrate strong experience in contemporary art exhibition production
The role is suitable for experienced arts professionals, exhibition producers, museum coordinators, or project managers within the visual arts sector.
Program Benefits
- Competitive salary package (AUD $80,000–$85,000 + superannuation)
- Employment within a leading national art institution
- Opportunity to work with prominent Australian and international artists
- Exposure to major exhibition production and curatorial processes
- Hybrid working model supporting work-life flexibility
- Potential accommodation support during installation periods
- Professional development in museum operations and large-scale exhibition delivery
- Direct involvement in high-profile public exhibitions and cultural programming
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- A current CV (maximum 3 pages, including two professional referees)
- A cover letter (maximum 1 page)
- Responses to Key Selection Criteria (maximum 4 pages, with examples of experience)
Referees will not be contacted prior to the interview stage.
How to Apply?
Applications must be sent by email to: applyexhibitionsmanager@twma.com.au
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 4 May 2026
Location
TarraWarra Museum of Art, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
Additional Details
The museum strongly emphasises inclusion, equity, and cultural safety. It actively encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
The role operates within a dynamic museum environment requiring flexibility, including weekend attendance during exhibition openings and intensive onsite work during installation periods. Strong organisational ability, problem-solving skills, and technical exhibition knowledge are essential.
The institution also prioritises sustainability, risk management, and accessibility in exhibition delivery, aligning with its broader strategic vision of connecting audiences with contemporary art and ideas.