West Space Curator

West Space is looking for a Curator to join our small and mighty team.

West Space is an independent, non-profit arts organisation with an artist-centric ethos and a supportive infrastructure.

We commission visual art projects by the nation’s most brave and exciting artists, presenting and contextualising their work with a personalised approach.

West Space's Curator is instrumental in our support of artists. They work on the research, curation and administration of our robust and inclusive program across our main exhibition space, the West Space Window, off-site and online.

Why work with West Space? You will:

• Play an integral role in the arts sector as part of a nationally recognised organisation.
• Support the development, presentation, communication and contextualisation of contemporary art practice.
• Be a part of a collaborative team who are passionate and self-reflexive about the role of art in society.
• Gain opportunities for professional development and growth, with flexible work arrangements.

"The Curator's role is to support artists by engaging deeply with their practices, the ideas that underpin them, and their career aspirations.

The role requires an approachable, patient and non-judgemental sensibility. Someone who makes curatorial and programming decisions in a way that isn’t reactive to what's in vogue but rather in line with their values. Who does their best to embody the language they use to describe their work." — Outgoing Curator Sebastian Henry-Jones on the role, read in full here

Key details

• Position title: Curator
• Hours: 4 days per week (0.8 FTE)
• Salary: $65,700 annually pro rata (plus Superannuation)
• Location: Collingwood Yards, Naarm/Melbourne
• Position Description

Applications have now closed. Applicants will be notified early April.

News

West Space extends our deepest gratitude to Curator Sebastian Henry-Jones as he finishes up at West Space in February.

Since early 2021, Seb has brought rigour and heart to his work at West Space. He always considers and our identity and function, with self-reflexivity about what an arts organisation can do for artists.

Seb has been the beating heart of the West Space Commission. He has curated major solo projects by artists including Hoang Tran Nguyen, Grace Culley, HOSSEI, Gabi Briggs, Akil Ahamat, and many more.

Seb’s way of working was exemplified by his curatorial project Unison. Tasked with the enormity of reflecting on West Space at 30 years, Seb underpinned the exhibition with the idea that people are creative before they choose the path of an artist, alongside a distinct series of objectives.

“Seb is an exceptional curator and person. Over four years, Seb has empowered artists to do their best work with the utmost respect for their practices, and has been a joy to work side-by-side and shape the future of the organisation together.

While we are terribly sad to see him go, we’ll be following his practice, and look forward to continued ways to work together.” — Director Joanna Kitto

“Thank you Seb, for your practice of care and deep thinking which you brought to all your work with West Space as a curator and valued member of our team.

We have enjoyed the exhibitions, programs and sensitive, insightful, good humoured facilitation of conversation and engagement with artists you've driven or been an instrumental collaborator on.” — Board Member Eugenia Lim