Assistant Curator and Executive Assistant

The Assistant Curator & EA is responsible for providing administrative and artistic program support to the Executive Director and curatorial.

Artspace Vision

Ever changing, ever challenging, Artspace is where audiences encounter the artists and the ideas of our times.

Mission

Artspace is one of the leading institutions for the production and presentation of contemporary art in the Asia Pacific. Our expansive, multi-platform approach to programming includes new commissions, exhibitions, performances, studio residencies, publishing, public programs, learning and outreach initiatives, and advocacy. Artspace is where artists of all generations test new ideas and shape public conversation. Embracing risk, experimentation, collaboration and advocacy, Artspace’s mission is to enhance our culture and support community vibrancy through a deeper engagement with contemporary art.

About Artspace

We are a leading independent, not-for-profit contemporary art space, cultural partner and community resource located in Sydney on Gadigal land. We receive government support from the Federal Government through Creative Australia and from the New South Wales (NSW) State Government through Create NSW. Government funding is supplemented through the valued contributions of our dedicated community of partners and benefactors.

Position Summary

The Assistant Curator & Executive Assistant is responsible for providing administrative and artistic program support to the Executive Director and curatorial team. This role is highly valued, working across all areas of Artspace including project delivery, communication, strategic initiatives, and reporting requirements. Applicants will need to manage competing priorities, diaries and schedules. Highly developed organisational skills are essential, as is strong proficiency in providing all levels of administrative support and an understanding of Australian contemporary art. The Assistant Curator & Executive Assistant also plays an important role in supporting Artspace’s curatorial development for exhibitions, commissioning and public programs. This position is made possible through the generous support of Andrew Cameron AM and Cathy Cameron.

This is a dual role that provides:

Curatorial Support

Supporting the delivery of Artspace’s artistic program with a special focus on the Ideas Platform, the NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging), the Banner Series, experimental projects, and artist liaison. This includes supporting all curatorial roles in their duties and the development and delivery of the program.

Executive Support

Providing high-level administrative assistance to the Executive Director, including diary and correspondence management, Board and Committee support, and project coordination. This also includes:

• Communicating effectively with different team members across departments to gather information for reports, funding applications, and governance documents.
• Supporting financial processes such as preparing budgets, processing invoices, and collating financial information for reporting.
• Coordinating travel, itineraries, and hospitality for the Executive, Board, artists, and visiting guests.
• Maintaining and uploading documents, reports, and governance materials to the Artspace server to ensure accurate, accessible record-keeping.
• Acting as a first point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring timely, accurate, and professional communication.
• This role is essential in enabling both the delivery of Artspace’s ambitious artistic vision and the effective functioning of the Executive office. The successful candidate will be highly organised, adept at managing competing priorities, and equally comfortable working with artists, stakeholders, and governance processes. The role also offers professional development opportunities in both curatorial and governance practice.

Key Accountabilities

Curatorial

• Contribute to the delivery of all curatorial programs including exhibitions, commissions, public programs and Studio Program.
• Assist in the coordination of the Artistic Program, including artist liaison, contracts, installation schedules, reporting, budgeting, written texts, proofreading, and website content.
• Lead the coordination of the Ideas Platform program with the curatorial team.
• Provide curatorial support for texts and interpretative materials.
• Liaise with FoH, casual staff, galleries, artists, curators, and collaborators to facilitate professional development and ensure high-quality program delivery.
• Assist in tracking and maintaining project budgets; collect reports, figures, and related information for government reports, acquittals, or grants.

Executive Administration

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to the Executive Director, including diary, travel, and correspondence management.
• Coordinate meetings including Board and Committee meetings: prepare agendas, collate reports, circulate papers, record minutes, and track action items as required.
• Assist in communication with key donors and strategic partners on behalf of the Executive.
• Maintain effective communication with key stakeholders on behalf of the Executive.
• Maintain and upload documents and reports to the Artspace server to ensure compliance, transparency, and institutional memory.
• Support governance and compliance processes, including reporting to government funders and maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Act as a key point of contact for external stakeholders for matters relating to the Executive.

Other Duties

• Assist with the preparation of funding applications, acquittals, and donor reports
• Help coordinate office supplies and liaise with FoH needed.
• Professionally represent Artspace at events, meetings, etc
• Uphold Artspace’s policies, procedures, and WH&S standards.
• Undertake other duties as directed by the Executive within reason.

Key Selection Criteria

Special Requirements

• Full-time role, with after-hours and weekend work during peak exhibition and program periods.
• Some physical requirements consistent with gallery work (e.g. handling artworks, assisting installations).
• Represent Artspace externally with professionalism and integrity.

Success in the role will be measured by

• Effective delivery and support of the Artistic Program on time and within budget.
• High-quality support to the Executive Director and Board, including accurate record-keeping and compliance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong integration of curatorial and administrative functions.
• Positive feedback from artists, staff, and stakeholders.
• Evidence of professional growth and contribution to organisational culture.

To Apply

Artspace is an inclusive employer that values diverse perspectives and lived experiences. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with a disability, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, and people from culturally diverse communities. Applications should include:

• CV (max two pages)
• A separate document addressing the Selection Criteria (max two pages)
• Applicants are asked to submit a sample wall label (maximum 250 words) for a hypothetical Ideas Platform project at Artspace of their choosing.
• Contact information for two referees

Please send applications to jobs@artspace.org.au with the subject line: CONFIDENTIAL Application: Assistant Curator & Executive Assistant

Closing Date: Monday 22 September 2025, 9am AEST