Qualifications
Post of Visual Arts Curator
Qualifications:
- Character
Candidates shall be of good character
- Health
Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
- Education
Hold a recognised university (or equivalent) degree at level 8 or higher in the national Framework of Qualifications in Arts, Arts Administration, Culture or related discipline.
- Experience, Etc.
Essential - Candidates shall also
- Have at least three years satisfactory, relevant, curatorial experience.
- Have a proven record of arts development including experience in the area of programme development and budget management.
- Have relevant experience in the supervison of staff .
- Have an understanding of the current developments of Arts practice , participation and audience development in Ireland and abroad.
- Have well developed IT skills.
- Have a high level of organisational and administrative experience.
- Have a good understanding of Health and Safety in the workplace
- have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation.
Each candidate must be under 65 years of age on the latest date for receipt of completed Application Forms for the office if they are deemed not to be new entrants to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004. However, the age restriction of 65 years does not apply to "new entrants" to the Public Service as defined by the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Visual Arts Curator will assist Waterford City & County Council to expand its arts services and expertise in the areas of Visual Arts, The Waterford Art Collection and Waterford’s Visual Art Exhibition programme and associated outreach. The Visual Arts Curator will lead us in a forward looking direction in terms of partnerships with other arts organisations and institutions, to develop education outreach programmes and assist with the creation and delivery of of a Visual Arts Strategy which will be an integral part of the Waterford Arts Plan 2025 to 2030.
Background
Waterford has a deep commitment to artists, visual arts and other artist-led processes which is evident in its Framework agreement with the Arts Council. This commitment saw the establishment and ongoing support for three significant city based art collectives GOMA Galleries & Studios, the Waterford Film Centre, Rogue Galleries & Studios, a major new home for the Waterford Collection at the the Waterford Gallery of Art, a serious investment into climate controlled storage facilities, the INDEX Gallery in the City Library and the Old Market House Arts Centre, Dungarvan. The Waterford Art Collection has approximately 400 valuable objects of art and another 250 pieces from various acquisitions in the amateur sector. Currently the collection is spread between various buildings in Waterford. This position would involve the management of these commitments, the safety, maintenance and conservation of the overall collection, strategic partnerships with other Galleries and all policies covering the above in addition to acquisitions, loans, Collection direction, Outreach and Education.
The ideal candidate shall:-
- have a working knowledge of the Arts Act 2003 and of Public Art Guidelines as they apply to the local authority and national setting;
- have a working knowledge of the Waterford Arts Plan;
- have a good knowledge of Waterford’s arts community and its various activities;
- have proven experience of, or direct involvement in, at least one of the following: any artform discipline, work in visual arts , project management or other relevant area;
- demonstrate a very good understanding of artistic best practice;
- have a proven ability to manage a diverse workload, multi-task, and have initiative and drive to work alone and also take direction and engage as part of an effective team;
- demonstrate ability to achieve successful delivery of tasks within prescribed deadlines and budgets;
- possess excellent verbal and written communications skills;
- demonstrate an ability to foster positive relationships with a broad range of individuals, groups and organisations;
- possess excellent report writing skills and strong IT skills;
- have strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrable experience in the preparation of technical reports and delivery of presentations to a varied audience;
- demonstrate an ability to achieve delivery of competing demands within prescribed deadlines and timelines;
- have a good knowledge and awareness of Health & Safety Legislation and regulations, their implications for the organisation and the employee, and their application in the workplace;
- have an understanding of the role and duties of Managers in safety management in the workplace;
- have knowledge of public administration and Local Government in Ireland;
- hold a clean Drivers Licence.
This post will be based in the Waterford Gallery of Art, Waterford City. This role is strategic in focus but will also involve day-to-day management of the Waterford Collection and the Waterford Gallery of Art (WGOA).
The Visual Arts Curator will work directly with the Arts Service to ensure that all key objectives of the Visual Arts Policy are met thus broadening the Arts Service in relation to Art Practitioners, Participants, Young Participants in particular and Art Viewers locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
As the Curator will be directly involved with both of the Council’s main galleries in the city and Dungarvan, they will be in the key position to expand Waterford’s artistic reach and reputation. They will work with SETU to aid its visual arts programme and with GOMA Gallery and Rogue Gallery to ensure a cohesive approach to Waterford as both an exhibitor and incubator for visual arts processes.
The key responsibilities of the post include, but are not limited to: -
- Working as part of the Arts office team to implement Waterford Arts Plan and any policies as laid down by the local authority;
- supporting Waterford City & County Council in the ongoing development and delivery of visual arts services provided by the local authority;
- Managing and positively motivating staff;
- organising and managing visual arts events held by the Arts Office in accordance with appropriate Health & Safety guidelines and event plan management;
- managing the delivery of relevant projects to a high artistic standard within budget and within prescribed timeframes as determined by the local authority;
- working with the Arts Office team to compliment and support the design and delivery of Arts Office led visual arts programmes and policy initiatives;
- representing the Arts Office at public meetings, across departments and national agencies where appropriate;
- engaging with the public, artists, and members of the community in a professional manner at all times;
- supporting engagement between the local authority and other national and local agencies in the development of visual arts provision for the county;
- providing written, comprehensive administrative reports relating to all undertaken visual arts activity for Council Management, National partners or designated committees of the local authority;
- assisting in the preparation of a Visual Arts Plans for the development of the arts as may be required by the local authority;
- Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Chief Executive or his officers.
The particular duties and responsibilities attached to the post may vary from time to time, without changing the general character of the duties or level of responsibilities entailed. The post holder may therefore be required to perform duties appropriate to the post, other than those detailed above, and to take instructions from and report to, an appropriate Officer or such designated Officer as may be assigned from time to time by the City and County Council.
In addition, the appointee will be required to:
- ensure compliance with all regulations relating to procurement of services
- comply with Health and Safety legislation at all times
- ensure an efficient and effective response to all stakeholders
- attend training as required
- participate in corporate activities and responsibilities appropriate to their grade
- undertake any other duties of a similar level and responsibility as may be required, or assigned, from time to time
deputise for other employees of a higher grade as required
Human Resources Department