Job TitleCollections Curator AD08LocationJohannesburg,ZAOrganization NameWits Art MuseumDepartment DescriptionPurpose of the Position:
This professional services position is ideal for an individual dedicated to a career in museums and passionate about the societal significance of university art museums. The role requires a committed professional to ensure the proper care of Wits Art Museum s and the Jack Ginsberg Centre for Book Arts collections, and to manage their administration. This includes accessioning artworks, capturing data for the online collections database, monitoring the movement and storage of collections, cataloguing, and maintaining the university s art collection holdings.
Brief DescriptionKey Responsibilities:
Knowledge of African art and Artists' Books, and familiarity with collections management procedures. Capture collections information for different data management systems and provide online access to the holdings. Facilitate and manage processes involved in incoming and outgoing loans of artwork for temporary exhibitions. Assist with providing a reference inquiry and information retrieval service for researchers.
Requirements:
BA degree in Art History, Fine Arts, Archive Studies, Arts Culture and Heritage Management or related museum studies. Experienced in art collection management. Minimum of 2 years work-related experience in / with museums or galleries.
This position involves responsibilities in collections management, preservation, and research. This includes administrative and conservation duties such as overseeing and coordinating conservation efforts and restoration when necessary. The incumbent will collaborate with scholars, historians, and other institutions on research projects regarding evaluating existing collections.
The position requires a highly detail-oriented and meticulous individual with experience in collections management and administration, including the accessioning of heritage assets, handling and packing artworks. Strong project management and organizational skills are essential, along with the ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
Fluency in spoken and written English is required, along with proficiency in at least one additional official South African language. The role also requires competence in email communication and Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel. A valid driver s license would be advantageous.
The WAM team is very small so applicants should also be willing to participate in practical mundane museum activities such as setting out furniture, packing workshop equipment, cleaning glass etc with a positive, can-do attitude.
Desirable:
MA in Art History, Fine Arts, Archive Studies, or a Post-graduate certificate in curatorial or museum studies.
Time Commitment:
This is a full-time (3-year contract) position with a 6 months probation. The position is located in Johannesburg, Gauteng. As a committed member of the team, the successful candidate will also be expected to participate in after-hours programming at the museum.For inquiries about the job content, please email Julia Charlton at Julia.Charlton@wits.ac.za. Please do not submit applications via this contact.


Detailed DescriptionJob RequirementsAdditional DetailsHow To Apply

How to Apply:

Please note that applications must be done through iRecruitment only. No hardcopies or emails should be submitted. Please submit a covering letter, detailed CV with names and contact details (including email addresses) of three referees and certified copies of degrees/diplomas with your application.

The University is committed to employment equity. Preference may be given to appointable applicants from the underrepresented designated groups in terms of the relevant employment equity plans and policies of the University. The University retains the right to verify all information provided by candidates.

Please note that correspondence will only be entered into with shortlisted candidates.

The University reserves the right not to make an appointment or to re-advertise.

Closing Date: 15 May 2025

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