Project Arts Centre is beginning the search for a new Curator for our Visual Arts Programme.
Project Arts Centre is Ireland’s first arts centre: an independent and ambitious multidisciplinary organisation in the heart of Dublin with a local, national and international remit. Project is a home for contemporary arts, a resource for artists and a critical hub. Project works with artists across all art forms to make and present extraordinary work that inspires and provokes audiences.
What is unique about Project?
* We are Ireland’s leading centre for contemporary arts practice, which gives us an identity and a capacity that is unique.
* We are influenced, inspired and shaped by our location in the heart of the city and the diversity of people who live here.
* Project is a key organisation through which the public access contemporary art and public space, whether through visiting our venue or engaging with our work on tour across Ireland or internationally.
* We are always thinking about the next steps with and for artists.
* We have a reputation at international level.
* We have curated and produced the Irish Pavilion in Venice twice – in 2017 with Curator Tessa Giblin and Artist, Jesse Jones, and in 2024 with Curator Sara Greavu and Artist Eimear Walshe.
History and Context
Project Arts Centre was founded in 1966 as Project 67. When the founders of Project came together they did so with the philosophy that a creative person is capable of managing their own affairs; Project was an organisation set up, managed and governed by artists – its founding spirit was centred on artists at a time when art was created in established institutions. It became a home for the independents; for artists whose work challenged the establishment and the academy. Project was created at a time of change in our country and in the wider world. Looking to the future is embedded in our DNA. Over the years, Project’s personality has always reflected these values, whether embracing the punk movement, presenting edgy contemporary performance or confounding audiences’ ideas of what constitutes an exhibition. We are proud of this legacy but it is not a history that lies heavy on our shoulders; it is a history of reinvention, of evolution, of looking to the future, while reflecting on the present – and of change.
Project Arts Centre is in the fourth year of a five-year strategy, WORK (2022 – 2026). The main focus of the strategy has been threefold: to work towards developing warmer, more flexible, and more inclusive spaces; to provide improved opportunities and conditions for both artists and the public; and to secure adequate resources to enable us to deliver on our ambitions.
A commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion is threaded through the strategy and this influences the way in which we approach all of our work in every department and at every level of our institutional structure. We want to nurture and support artists to realise their boldest ideas and to fulfil their ambitions to reach publics locally, nationally and internationally. We also want to create opportunities for many publics to interact in a physical and conceptual space which is safe and open to all.
The Role
Reporting to the Artistic Director and Executive Director, but working autonomously, The Curator of Visual Arts (Curator) is a key position at Project with responsibility for leading on the vision for and delivery of the organisation’s visual arts programme. The ideal candidate will have:
* A minimum of three years curatorial experience, either within an institutional context or as part of an independent curatorial practice with evidence of a track record in producing and curating exhibitions and managing exhibition budgets.
* Strong knowledge of contemporary arts scene and trends in Ireland and internationally.
* Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop effective partnerships as well as to persuade and negotiate.
* Knowledge and experience of arts media and communication with press and art journals.
* Excellent communication and writing skills.
* Excellent organisational skills, and rigorous sense of detail.
* High level of teamwork, communication and self-motivation.
* Excellent production skills and knowledge, in particular of delivery of exhibitions to a high quality of public presentation, within available budgets.
As a Curator you will:
* Research, develop and present exhibitions, events, talks and projects in keeping with the mission of Project Arts Centre.
* Take an active role in mediating the Visual Arts Programme to all stakeholders, in particular, the public.
* Be responsible for leading your colleagues in delivering the Visual Arts Programme.
* Collaborate with other curators in the house, including the Artistic Director and Head of Project Potential on joint projects and initiatives.
* Report on the Visual Art Programme to Project’s Board of Directors (occasionally) and Membership (annually at the AGM).
* Explore sources of additional income and make application grants where feasible.
* In conjunction with the Executive Director, oversee the management of budgets to ensure that the programme is delivered within available resources.
* Write press releases and exhibition material for print and website, with support/input of Communications Team.
* Collaborate with Communications Team on promotion of Visual Arts Programmes through various platforms including press, website, social media, broadcast, etc.
* Support and input into Funding applications.
* Participate, with the wider Team and Board, in the development of Project’s next Strategic Plan (2027 – 2031).
How to apply & terms and conditions
Applications are welcomed for the position which is for a fixed-term of 4 years with a 6 month probation period. Project is open to new ways of working, new forms of curatorial practice and proposals that explore alternative methodologies.
Project welcomes applications from everybody but would like to encourage applications by Curators from a diversity of national, ethnic or cultural groups (including, but not limited to, Asian, Black, Traveller and minority ethnic, refugees, people with disabilities, working-class and LGBTQI+). We are committed to accessibility and want to make sure that our spaces and processes are accessible to all. Please let us know in your application if you have any particular access requirements.
Applications should include a letter of interest (including a curatorial vision/outline of your programme – to a maximum of 2 pages A4) and a CV including two referees, and any relevant documentation (to a maximum of 5 pages A4).
Interviews will be held during the week of 19 May.
Applications should be clearly marked, ‘Curator of Visual Arts’, and sent by email only FAO Sophie Motley, Artistic Director, Project Arts Centre, care of katie@projectartscentre.ie.
Closing: 25 May 2025
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