Curator Collections

Started in the late 1960s by Allan McCulloch, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery (MPRG) has a strong history & legacy as a supporter of contemporary Australian art, a legacy continued through our exhibition program & permanent collection holdings. Presenting 12 exhibitions a year, 4 of which celebrate the locally based practitioners, the Gallery also has a substantial collection of predominantly works on paper. Every two years, we host one of the oldest prizes in Australia, the National Works on Paper. Our mission is to connect to local, state, national & international audiences & take part in national discourses on art & cultural value for the future. We do this in one of the most spectacular settings in Victoria, the Mornington Peninsula.  

A destination in its own right, the region is characterised by unique townships, high quality produce, world renowned landscapes, tourist regions and areas of national & international conservation significance. It also boasts an active arts community. 

One hour from Melbourne CBD, the Gallery operates under the Mornington Peninsula Shire. The Shire is responsible for a broad range of infrastructure & community services that support the wellbeing & prosperity of our diverse community. With approximately 1000 employees, it is a busy & vibrant workplace.  

What’s on Offer

Culture – Positive, fun & inclusive work environment that is underpinned by our core values which are integral to everything we do. These are Integrity, Openness, Courage, Respect & Excellence.  

Career – Opportunity to grow & develop with excellent learning & professional opportunities.  

Leadership – Manage Collection & contribute to the strategic outcomes delivered by Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery with an organisation which focuses on our people & the community.  

Security – Permanent part-time role, based at Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. Band 6 – $94,764–$102,870 per annum (pro rata, super additional) 

About the Role

The role of the Curator Collections will be to execute exceptional collection management across short- & long-term timelines, plan for collection interpretation including curating exhibitions & contributing high-level research, contributing to Public & Education programming, writing for MPRG publications & developing new Collection initiatives. To work with us on this,  we are looking for someone who has wide collection management experience as well as having both curating & writing experience. Working in the role requires you to work in consultation with the Curatorial Lead and the Gallery Director. 

You will be responsible for high level collection management & as well as curating & interpretation. These activities ensure industry standards are maintained, while growing the reach & accessibility of art within our community. Reporting to the Curatorial Lead the core responsibilities include: 

• Development, interpretation & care of the MPRG’s Permanent Collection.  

• Leading the delivery & implementation of collection management to industry standards. 

• Supporting the exhibition program through research, writing, publications, learning resources, public programs & collection development. 

About You

You are a forward thinker and have a positive outlook & can work with a small but highly focused & performing team. You will have: 

• Bachelor’s degree/ Master’s degree in Art History, Museum or Curatorial studies – essential. 

• Sound knowledge of, & experience in, professional public gallery practice including in curating, registration, collection management, conservation & preventive conservation practices, exhibitions development, research, cataloguing. (Minimum 5 years industry experience preferred). 

• Demonstrated experience in the development & delivery of engaging collection exhibitions & public programming. 

• Substantial experience & engagement working with a public art collection.  

The Mornington Peninsula Shire is committed to creating a diverse & safe environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity & Child Safe employer. We encourage applications from First Nations people, culturally & linguistically diverse people, people with disabilities, neurodiverse people, & people of all genders, sexualities & age groups. First Nations curators are strongly encouraged to apply.  

Mornington Peninsula Shire undertakes a variety of employment screening checks. This includes employment references, Working with Children Checks & National Police Checks. 

Applicants must have valid Australian work rights.  

For further information about the role, you can download the Position Description by clicking ‘Apply’. For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact: Dunja Rmandic, Gallery Director on dunja.rmandic@mornpen.vic.gov.au.  

Applications Close: Friday 1 November 2024, 11.59pm