Assistant Curator, First Nations Art - APSB5

Affirmative Measures - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

This vacancy is open only to candidates who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

The Role

Under general direction and with professional supervision, the Assistant Curator, First Nations Art participates in the care, documentation, and day-to-day administration of the Memorial's Art Collection, with a particular focus on First Nations art and artists. The position provides curatorial and administrative support for major First Nations (and non-First Nations) commissions and acquisitions and contributes to collection research and public programming. The role involves responding to enquiries and liaising with artists, clients, institutions, organisations, and community stakeholders; assisting with collection development; and undertaking a range of collection management tasks using the Memorial's collection management systems. An important element of the position is supporting outreach and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, communities and stakeholders across Australia. 

Core Responsibilities

Collection Management

• Assist with the care, custody, documentation and administration of the Art Collection.

• Maintain accurate collection records using the Memorial's collection management systems.

• Support collection storage, movement, audits, cataloguing, and related collection management and access activities.

• Manual handling and movement of a wide range of objects including but not limited to works on paper, framed works of art, and items from the National Collection.

• Contribute to the long-term care and preservation of collection items.

Curatorial Support

• Provide curatorial and administrative support for art commissions and acquisitions.

• Assist with collection research and the preparation of supporting documentation.

• Undertake duty curatorial role on rotation with Art Section colleagues.

• Contribute to collection development initiatives, particularly in relation to First Nations art.

Stakeholder and Artist Engagement

• Liaise with artists, cultural practitioners, institutions, organisations and community stakeholders.

• Respond to public and internal enquiries relating to the collection and First Nations art projects.

• Support outreach and relationship-building with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, communities, and organisations across Australia.

Exhibitions and Public Programming

• Assist in the development and delivery of exhibitions, displays and public programs.

• Contribute to interpretive materials, publications, digital content, and public engagement activities.

Research and Documentation

• Undertake collection and artist research.

• Prepare reports, acquisition proposals, collection records, and other curatorial documentation.

• Support the documentation of commissions, acquisitions, and collection activities.

Collaboration and Project Support

• Work collaboratively with curatorial, registration, conservation, and digital teams.

• Support the coordination and delivery of collection, acquisition, and commission projects.

• Assist with project administration, scheduling, and stakeholder communication.

• Assist the broader Art Section as required.

Key Focus Areas

The role has a particular emphasis on:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and artists.

• Building and maintaining respectful relationships with First Nations communities.

• Supporting commissions and acquisitions that strengthen the representation of First Nations histories and experiences within the Memorial's collection.

Additional Requirements

• Employee to abide by and further the principles and practices of Work Health and Safety as outlined in the WHS Act, taking reasonable care for their own health and safety and ensuring that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons.

• Working with Distressing Material: This role requires engagement with historical and contemporary material relating to war, conflict, trauma, death, injury and loss, including material concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences. Staff may be exposed to distressing images, records and testimonies and are expected to work with such material in a professional manner and utilise available wellbeing and support services as required.

Position Eligibility

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).

• All applicants external to AWM that are offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a National Police Check, even if they currently hold a security clearance. The check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.

Mandatory Requirements

• Ability to obtain and maintain a baseline security clearance

Contact Information

• For specific questions relating to this job vacancy, please contact: Alex Torrens, (02) 6243 4***, ************@awm.gov.au 

• For questions relating to the online lodgement of your application, please email the Recruitment team via ******@awm.gov.au

Submitting Applications

• Please note that applications can only be accepted through the Australian War Memorial jobs portal

• To apply, go to Australian War Memorial – Employment Opportunities and complete the online application by 11:30pm, Wednesday, 16 September 2026

Notes

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

The Memorial is committed to workplace diversity and maintains an environment that values the contribution of people from different backgrounds and experiences. The Memorial welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, veterans, mature age people, people from diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability.