Organizer Information
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) is Australia's only public museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. The museum was established in 1991, though its roots trace back to a 1943 will by expatriate Australian artist JW Power, who bequeathed his fortune to the University of Sydney with the aim of informing and educating Australians about contemporary visual arts. The MCA opened to the public in November 1991 on the edge of Sydney Harbour, with founding Director Leon Paroissien and founding Chief Curator Bernice Murphy shaping a program of innovative exhibitions drawn from Australia, the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Following a period under long-serving director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, Suzanne Cotter — previously director of MUDAM Luxembourg and the Serralves Foundation Museum of Contemporary Art in Portugal — became Director in 2022.
The museum is located at Tallawoladah on Sydney Harbour, land with over 65,000 years of continuous cultural history. Its evolving Collection holds over 4,700 artworks, the only public collection in Australia dedicated to the work of living artists, with more than a third of it represented by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. As a State-significant, independent, not-for-profit institution, the MCA raises over 85% of its revenue each year to deliver its artistic and engagement programs.
Title & Description
Senior Curator, Exhibitions
The Senior Curator, Exhibitions is a full-time, permanent position within the MCA's Curatorial and Collections Division, reporting to the Director, Curatorial and Collections. The role contributes to the development, research and implementation of the museum's curatorial program of temporary exhibitions, artist commissions, and collection development and displays.
Sharing responsibility for delivering the artistic program led by the MCA Director, the Senior Curator, Exhibitions manages resources for exhibitions and commissions — including project budgets, in partnership with Exhibition Managers — and identifies funding streams through philanthropic giving and other sources. The MCA is seeking an experienced and respected senior-level curator with deep knowledge of contemporary art, a strong record of curatorial excellence and innovation, and a forward-looking approach to exhibition development that engages a broad and diverse public. The role carries direct leadership responsibility for a team of curators and requires a collaborative, inclusive leadership style capable of building strong relationships across the MCA team, with artists, and with donors.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Full-time
- Contract Type: Permanent
- Reports To: Director, Curatorial and Collections
- Department / Programme: Curatorial and Collections Division
- Working Hours: Normal business hours 9 am–5.30 pm; some out-of-hours work may be required, with Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) available
- Direct Reports: 2 Curators, the Curator, First Nations Art, and 2 Assistant Curators
Position & Tasks
- Curatorial Leadership and Program Delivery
- Lead on the conception, development and delivery of temporary exhibitions and commissions accessible to a broad, non-specialist and specialist public, and that drive visitation
- Contribute as a senior leader within the Curatorial and Collections Division, helping shape the MCA's artistic direction and contributing to strategic planning and organisational priorities
- Contribute to the MCA's national and international reputation for curatorial excellence in contemporary art
- Collaboration and Public Impact
- Work collaboratively across the MCA to maximise the reach and impact of the artistic program, partnering with Public Programs, Creative Learning, Digital, Marketing and Communication, and Design to deliver compelling and accessible public engagement and communications outcomes
- Partner with the MCA Development team to secure support for the curatorial program, cultivate relationships with donors and sponsors, and contribute to fundraising initiatives, grants and partnerships
- Build and sustain strong relationships with artists, galleries, collectors, museums and other cultural partners nationally and internationally
- Collection Development
- Contribute to the strategic development of the MCA Collection in collaboration with curatorial colleagues, identifying opportunities to expand the reach of the Collection and its intellectual and cultural value through commissions, acquisitions, displays and exhibitions across Australia and internationally
- People Leadership
- Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing curatorial team, including direct reports as well as associate, guest and emerging curators, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence and professional growth
- Project Management and Representation
- Exercise responsibility for exhibition budgets and resources, ensuring sound financial management and effective delivery of projects aligned with organisational priorities
- Represent the MCA nationally and internationally through public programs, presentations, media engagements and stakeholder briefings, acting as an advocate for the artistic program and the organisation
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Contemporary Art
- Museum Studies
- Exhibition Making
- Collection Management
- Arts Administration
- Art Management
- Cultural Programming
- Visual Arts
Eligibility
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in Art History, Curatorial Practice, Museum Studies, Visual Arts or a related discipline
- Significant senior-level curatorial experience and a successful track record within a contemporary art museum, gallery or comparable cultural institution
- Demonstrated experience developing and delivering major exhibitions of national and international significance
- Proven experience in curatorial strategy, artistic programming and institutional planning
- Experience contributing to collection development, acquisitions, commissions and collection strategy
- Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, budgets and multiple priorities
- Experience contributing to fundraising, sponsorship, grants or donor engagement activities
- Experience building and maintaining relationships with artists, galleries, collectors, cultural institutions and industry stakeholders
- Experience representing an organisation publicly through presentations, media, publications or public programs
- Extensive knowledge of contemporary art practices and trends in Australia and internationally
- Strong understanding of best practices in museums and galleries, including exhibition development, interpretation, collections management and audience engagement
- Understanding of governance, policy and ethical considerations relevant to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art
- Outstanding curatorial and scholarly research skills
- Strategic thinking and the ability to translate ideas into practical outcomes
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- Excellent project and budget management, resource planning and organisational skills
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including catalogue essays, exhibition texts, report writing, public speaking and stakeholder engagement
- Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritise while leading a diverse curatorial portfolio
- Preferred but not mandatory: experience working with First Nations artists, communities and cultural frameworks
- Preferred but not mandatory: a language other than English
- No nationality or country-of-residence restriction stated in the source
Program Benefits
- Annual leave: 4 weeks pro-rata
- Personal leave: 10 days pro-rata
- Superannuation: 12% super payments (in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992)
- Birthday Day Off (additional paid day of leave)
- Museum Day (additional public holiday)
- Flexible Working Arrangements
- Employee Assistance Program
- Paid Parental Leave (primary and secondary caregivers, adoption, and foster parents)
- Time Off In Lieu (TOIL)
- Study Leave
- Additional accruals to Long Service Leave
- Free entry to the Museum, including paid exhibitions
- January 26 observed as a flexible public holiday
- Free flu vaccination program
- Exhibition Pre-Views (curatorial walkthroughs)
- Access to employee discount programs and salary sacrifice options
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Cover letter explaining interest in the role and work experience in response to the selection criteria
- CV
How to Apply?
Applications must be emailed to: positions.vacant@mca.com.au
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 5 August 2026
Location
Sydney, Australia
Additional Details
- Shortlisting for interviews is based on applicants meeting the essential criteria listed in the position description
- The MCA is committed to equal opportunity and diversity, and promotes a work environment free from discrimination and harassment
- All employees are expected to support innovation and organisational change, work cooperatively with others, demonstrate commitment to equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination principles, and follow safety work practices
- The role sits within a division that also includes a dedicated Curator, First Nations Art, reflecting the MCA's institutional emphasis on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art within its Collection and program