ART CURATOR - OPERATIONS

THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced, discerning In-House Curator to lead the selection, framing, and presentation of works on the Artelia platform. This is a senior creative and intellectual role that sits at the intersection of curatorial practice, collection strategy, and international art market positioning. You will work directly with Artelia's curatorial leadership to develop coherent, well-researched collections — ensuring every work presented reflects depth, quality, and narrative clarity. You will engage with galleries and artists, shaping how their practices are contextualized for local and international audiences. This is not a content management role. We are looking for someone who thinks like a curator, writes like a critic, and moves like a professional who understands how the contemporary art market actually works.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

❖ Develop and manage themed collections aligned with Artelia's curatorial direction and international positioning strategy

❖ Conduct rigorous artist research, documentation, and contextualisation — ensuring works are presented with scholarly and market-relevant framing ❖ Review artist and gallery submissions; identify exceptional candidates and articulate clear selection rationale

❖ Write exhibition texts, artist statements, collection notes, and editorial content that meet international curatorial standards

❖ Build and maintain relationships with galleries, artists, and cultural institutions across Africa and the diaspora

❖ Support the onboarding of gallery partners and independent artists, acting as a key liaison between external collaborators and Artelia's leadership

❖ Ensure continuity, quality, and intentionality across Artelia's growing catalogue

❖ Provide curatorial input on collector engagement strategy, advising on how works are positioned for high-value audiences

❖ Contribute to Artelia's editorial and thought leadership output, including platform narratives and public-facing communications

❖ Stay current with global art market developments, particularly the reception and positioning of contemporary African art internationally.

WHAT SETS YOU APART

✓ You have operated at a professional level within the contemporary art ecosystem — in a gallery, museum, art fair, or independent curatorial practice — and you bring with you the instincts, networks, and critical vocabulary that experience builds.

✓ You understand that curation is an argument, and you know how to make one clearly, compellingly, and with international confidence.

✓ You are equally comfortable writing a nuanced exhibition essay and negotiating the logistics of a gallery partnership.

✓ You understand how African art is received globally — and you have opinions about how that should change

✓ You have experience curating for audiences beyond your immediate geography — through diaspora-facing programmes, international platforms, or cross-border institutional collaborations — You have written about art publicly — catalogue essays, exhibition texts, critical reviews, or editorial features

✓ You understand how digital platforms can operate as curatorial spaces and you have thought about what that means for quality control and collector confidence

✓ You bring existing professional relationships within the African and/or international art ecosystem

✓ You have navigated the intersection of artistic integrity and commercial positioning — and you know how to hold both without compromising either

Requirements

Experience

❖ Minimum 4–7 years of curatorial or related professional experience in contemporary art

❖ Demonstrated track record of curating solo and/or group exhibitions — physical or digital

❖ Direct experience working with galleries, artists, or arts institutions at a professional level

❖ Familiarity with the African contemporary art landscape and its global reception Education

❖ Degree in Art History, Fine Arts, Curatorial Practice, or a related field

❖ Postgraduate qualification is an advantage but not required where professional experience is strong

WHAT ARTELIA OFFERS

❖ A senior curatorial role at a platform entering the global market at a critical and formative moment

❖ Direct collaboration with internationally recognised curators and art professionals shaping Artelia's advisory network

❖ Genuine creative and intellectual ownership over collection strategy and curatorial voice — Access to a growing network of galleries, artists, and collectors across Africa, Europe, and North America

❖ A working environment that values curatorial seriousness, critical thinking, and professional excellence

❖ Competitive compensation commensurate with experience