THIS IS A 2-YEARS RENEWABLE / CONVERTIBLE CONTRACT ROLE.
Curators develop and manage the collections and exhibitions of museums. They collect, research, interpret, and make the collections accessible to the public through exhibitions, publications and interpretive displays. As an Executive of the Curatorial Team of Defence Collective Singapore (DCS), you will be part of a dynamic team that is passionate about National Education and Singapore’s defence heritage and culture of the five entities within DCS (namely Singapore Discovery Centre, NS-themed Gallery, Singapore Airforce, Army and Navy Museums).
From engaging a wide range of community contributors, conducting primary research and identifying possible donations and collections that will enhance the national narrative, to creating awareness and appreciation, this wide-ranging role covers various aspects of curation, storytelling, research and community engagement.
Responsibilities
- Carry out primary research through oral history and video documentation to enrich content
- Curate and conceptualise themes and narratives for permanent galleries, special exhibitions and publications related to Singapore's defence history and heritage
- Conceive, develop, and publish exhibition catalogues, scholarly articles, and related works, including via digital formats
- Oversee outreach and propose promotion strategies of museum and archival projects, including attending to internal and public enquiries regarding collections, delivering lectures and leading tours in exhibitions
- Work with the Collections and Library & Archives teams in reviewing strategies and maintaining a sustainable framework and schedule to archive old and new collection
- Work closely with collection managers, conservators, designers and related parties to set up and project manage exhibitions
- In-depth involvement in acquisition of new artefacts, maintaining relationships with donors, cultivating new patrons, and securing loans of collections and objects from other institutions and private collectors
- Engage internal and external stakeholders to explore and confirm acquisitions and negotiating terms of acquisitions according to industry practice
- Work with the Collections team to enrich content by providing research information for the artefact inventory and digital database, ensure accuracy in information and its accessibility for instructional and research purposes
- Work with the Director in seeking collaboration opportunities including connecting with reputable external agencies
- Work with the Director in internal and external stakeholder management and maintain strong professional relationships and long-term partnerships
- Foster and maintain good working relationships with existing and potential patrons, trustees, key stakeholders, and museum colleagues across the country and abroad, as well as with the academic community and collectors
- Provide administrative support for curatorial activities and manage curatorial projects, including academic conferences and community consultations
- Actively collaborate with other departments including digital, education, programming and marketing
- Manage and administer ad-hoc projects, processes, and procedures, as and when required
Requirements
- BA (with Hons) in Arts or Social Sciences in history, humanities and social sciences or curatorial studies
- At least 3 years of curatorial experience in a reputable museum or gallery
- Experience in proposing outreach strategies through various platforms including social media
- Experience in stakeholder and donor engagement, soliciting donations, secure loans of significant collection and sponsorships
- Possess basic knowledge in international museum and archive principles, standards and practices, development, current and emerging trends, and professional code of ethics and practices
- Excellent research, writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Fluency in English and proficiency in other languages would be advantageous
- Meticulous and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Strong organisational, project management, and inter-personal skills, able to work independently and as part of a team
- Demonstrate thought leadership in the field through sharing of knowledge at conferences, talks and publications by actively engaging with content generated by visiting artists and curators
