OPEN CALL: S.M.A.K. in Belgium seeks Curator

As the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art in Ghent, S.M.A.K is an anchor point within the visual arts on a national and international level. Artists, quality and a broad audience are central to how we think and operate. The extensive S.M.A.K. collection and temporary exhibitions programme are the ideal means for making the museum an inspiring context in which to learn and work. Would you like to grow with S.M.A.K. over the next three years and help put the museum on the art world map?

Then apply for the following job:
Curator (m-v-x)
Temporary three-year contract—full time or 4/5

Responsibilities
You will develop a broad artistic programme (exhibitions, performances, lectures and other cross-disciplinary activities) in close collaboration with the artistic director, curators and assistant curators in your team. You will organise and co-organise exhibitions with an (inter)national character that fit the museum’s vision. You will perform essential curatorial tasks, including research, project management and controlling exhibition budgets You will write texts and develop content for a broad range of museum functions (essays, gallery texts, textual contributions for the website and social media, etc.) You will represent the museum at conferences and professional meetings, in juries or panel discussions, taking into account the museum’s priorities You will help build a network within the museum world, and with collectors and lenders (both in Belgium and internationally), with the aim of initiating artistic activities/projects in the museum and developing joint initiatives You will help obtain subsidies for exhibitions and seek alternative means of realising artistic projects.

Your profile
You hold at least a bachelor’s degree and can demonstrate a minimum of five years professional curatorial experience (not including training), working with international contemporary artists and various lenders. You have in-depth knowledge of international developments in contemporary art and art institutions. You have excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Besides your mother tongue, you speak at least two other languages. You speak Dutch or are willing to learn the language. You are interested in realising innovative exhibitions and transdisciplinary artistic projects and, ideally, have demonstrable expertise in this field. In addition to art history and theory, you are knowledgeable about a broad range of social issues. You believe in diversity and inclusiveness and can demonstrate your knowledge and skills in this area through projects underpinned by these values. You have a professional network and are willing to develop it further for the benefit of the museum and its projects. You are willing to immerse yourself in the history of S.M.A.K. and to commit yourself to the development of a future-orientated museum. In line with your experience and personality, you have acquired the necessary skills in project-based work, budget management and interdisciplinary cooperation. You act with integrity, collegiality and loyalty. You are flexible and willing to work outside office hours if necessary. Evening or weekend work is inherent to the job.

What does S.M.A.K. have to offer?
–A dynamic, collaborative atmosphere and a varied job, diverse contacts and professional autonomy.
–Extra-legal benefits such as meal and eco-cheques, hospitalisation insurance and additional holidays. Advantageous purchase rates for the bookshop and editions, an ICOM membership, etc.
–A proper salary in accordance with the local government scales (A-level), linked to relevant seniority.
–Ample opportunities for combining the formulas related to (free) commuting.
–A full-time appointment starting in September 2022. 4/5 is negotiable.

How to apply?
Please send your covering letter and clearly structured CV to vacatures@smak.be no later than June 6, 2022, clearly mentioning the job you are applying for in the subject of your mail. It is advantageous if the profile requirements can be clearly deduced from your application.

Please include an additional attachment (max. one A4) with a project portfolio:
Artistic projects that you have personally curated and which demonstrate your commitment to the values of diversity and inclusiveness.

Selected candidates will be asked to complete a written task beforehand. Successful candidates will proceed to the interview stage.

The interviews will take place on June 28 and 29, 2022.

For more information about this position, contact Ann Hoste at ann.hoste@smak.be / T +32.9.323.60.98.