Job Description

 A rare and exciting opportunity to take a leading role working with  Aotearoa's national art collection

The  Head of Art is a senior position which provides inspirational leadership and intellectual direction to the  development and implementation of  the strategic direction for the national art collection. The position is responsible for providing thought leadership across Te Papa and the Sector to extend thinking and apply creative approaches to intersections between cross disciplinary curatorial practice, collections, community interests and audience experiences.

As the Head of Art you will:

• Lead the development and implementation of the Art strategy and a long-term programme aligned with Te Rautaki o Te Papa | Te Papa Strategy,  and  Te Papa's vision to become a Tiriti-based museum
• Enhance Te Papa's  professional reputation for quality research standards and scholarship, both nationally and internationally, through own and the teams research activities, publications, public programmes and  contributions to national and international fora.
• Manage, empower,  inspire  and develop a high performing Art Curatorial team, and ensure  effective management of capital and operational expenditure.
• Work collaboratively with Heads of other discipline areas, and with communities and  internal and external stakeholders, to develop and refine a cross disciplinary, cohesive and sustainable direction for research, acquisitions, collection management and exhibition programmes that activate audience engagement with, and use of, Te Papa's Art collections.
• Support sector development both nationally and internationally, engage with the wider community to bring community perspectives into curatorial work,  identify and convert partnerships into tangible outcomes for sharing resources, expertise and channels in the delivery of sustained programmes that extend Te Papa's brand, geographical reach and impact. 

To be successful in this role you will bring

• Significant experience in art curatorial and/or research related positions, with recognised expertise across the art sector
• Strategic leadership and demonstrated evidence of ability to share a vision and goal and inspire others to work together to reach it

• An exceptional track record of exhibitions and publications backed by an appropriate post graduate tertiary qualification.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate, influence and work collaboratively as a leader across an organisation, showing an understanding and appreciation for different functions and stakeholders, building relationships and leveraging interdependencies to achieve organisational outcomes.

This is a permanent full-time role based in Wellington

The salary range for this position will be between  $154,344 to $183,283 pa with further room for progression through the band.  Offers will be made within the range to reflect the skills and experience offered by the candidate and those required of the role, and internal relativities with other employees.

Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain the legal right to work in New Zealand.

Prior to Te Papa confirming any offer of employment, pre-employment checks will be undertaken including criminal conviction history and reference checking as a minimum.

Applications close on Wednesday 12 February 2025