Curatorial Officer (Collections) - Newcastle Art Gallery

• Unique opportunity to join Newcastle Art Gallery at a time of growth and renewal
• Support the care, documentation and presentation of our nationally significant collection of more than 7,000 works of art
• Permanent full-time role – 35 hours per week

As a member of our team, you won't just work for the city; you’ll co-create it.

As the reimagined Newcastle Art Gallery enters an exciting new chapter, we are seeking a motivated and experienced Curatorial Officer (Collections) to join our team.
A key member of the Curatorial and Exhibitions Team; the Curatorial Officer (Collections) will support delivery of our ambitious artistic program, with a focus on collection care, documentation, presentation and interpretation. Reporting to the Curatorial Lead, this role requires a creative and rigorous approach to researching and interpreting works of art, alongside strong attention to detail in documentation, display and collection management.

This position supports the administration of the Gallery’s collection and plays a key role in maintaining collections management and digital asset management systems. The role applies best practice cataloguing and collection management processes, supports timely and professional liaison with internal and external stakeholders, and undertakes in-depth object and provenance research. You will contribute to the Gallery’s artistic program by supporting long-term collection displays and developing interpretive material for written, public and digital contexts. This role works closely with all members of the Curatorial team, as well the Gallery's Exhibitions, Operations and Audience teams.

This role will suit an organised individual with strong attention to detail, sound administrative skills, a demonstrated capacity to research and write about art, and an interest in collections of First Nations, Australian and global art.

Here, your ideas and efforts directly shape the places where you and your community live, work, and play.

Find out more about your new career by viewing the position description here.

Life at City of Newcastle (CN) 

You’ll get to experience your work up close alongside the brilliant minds of your colleagues who care for one another and the region.

You’ll chip away at ambitious plans with a talented, passionate crew alongside you, shaping the very fabric of our community. Showing up for neighbours not shareholders.

Every single day offers the chance to think big and act local. Planning and prioritising to achieve the most important outcomes with the community.

You’ll add value in the moments that matter. From librarians to lifeguards, in a range of iconic places, we achieve a better Newcastle together.

Whether we’re planning to host major events, providing essential services or supporting creative artists, it’s what we do when the cameras aren't rolling that matters most.

And we’ll be there for you in important times in your life. We embrace flexible work arrangements to find a balance that allows us to enjoy the city we shape.

Our focus on inclusion and respecting culture, will help you feel a deeper connection with others. You'll connect with internal communities that will help you to feel a sense of belonging and reflect the diversity of the growing region.

You’ll do meaningful work and do it sustainably as you take ideas from plan to play, in your own backyard.

With hundreds of different roles, each person adds their uniqueness to our culture and plays their part as we head towards our 2040 vision.

With natural assets and a focus on the environment, co-create a sustainable region with us.

Why join CN? 

At CN, we value our employees, and their wellbeing takes priority. We encourage employees to make time for what's important and provide the benefits to enable a work life balance that allow us to enjoy the city we shape. To read more, visit here!

• 35-hour working week with flexible work arrangements
• 4 weeks of annual leave, 3 weeks of personal leave plus 2 additional paid public holidays
• 17.5% annual leave loading yearly payment
• Paid parental leave for primary carers
• Industry leading employment conditions
• Corporate Fitness program from as little as $18.00 per fortnight
• Access to a range of exclusive CN employee benefits programs including Novated Lease options as well as access to reward and recognition vouchers
• Annual performance development plans and ongoing training and development opportunities
• Leading the CN Way leadership program
• Inclusion, Diversity & Equity (IDE) employee networks and initiatives
• Access to Health & Wellbeing programs including an Onsite Physiotherapist and Psychology, Yoga and Mental Health Ambassador Groups

We champion inclusion so that everyone is valued, and we encourage innovation and creativity. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive workplace where different styles, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, encouraged, and respected.

People with diverse lived experiences (including but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, people with diverse gender identities and sexualities, people from different cultural, racial, ethnic, religious and linguistic backgrounds, people with disability, carers, and veterans) are encouraged to apply.

Don’t just work for the city, co-create it. Join and expand your career at the City of Newcastle.

Application Closing Date: Wednesday 30 September 2026

Remuneration: $88,889.29 + 17.5% annual leave loading yearly payment + 12% Superannuation per annum for a 35-hour week

Contact: Peter Johnson - Curatorial Lead - ************ or ***********************

If you need any adjustments to be made to the recruitment process or if you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements, please contact ********************** for a confidential discussion.

You must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this job.

CN do not accept unsolicited resumes, and we respectfully ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us at this stage.

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