Position Description – Curatorial Assistant Position Details Position Title: Curatorial Assistant Position Number: NEW Portfolio: Research & Innovation Portfolio School/Group: Research Office (Design Hub) Campus Location: Based at the City campus, but may be required to work at other campuses of the University. Classification: HEW 5 (Salary Schedule: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ewhtlt73t01) Employment Type: Continuing Time Fraction: 1.0 FTE (Tuesday–Saturday during exhibitions, Monday–Friday during non-exhibition periods) RMIT University RMIT is a global university of technology, design and enterprise in which teaching, research and engagement are central to achieving positive impact and creating life-changing experiences for our students. One of Australia’s original educational institutions founded in 1887, RMIT University now has 83,000 students including 12,000 at postgraduate level. The University enjoys an international reputation for excellence in professional and vocational education, applied and innovative research, and engagement with the needs of industry and the community. With three campuses in Melbourne (City, Brunswick and Bundoora), two in Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) and a centre in Barcelona, Spain, RMIT is a truly global university. RMIT also offers programs through partners in Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, and enjoys research and industry partnerships on every continent. RMIT prides itself on the strong industry links it has forged over its 130-year history. Collaboration with industry is integral to the University’s leadership in applied research and education, and to the development of highly skilled, globally focused graduates. We are a 5-Star university under the QS Stars international evaluation system, and are 16th in the world among universities less than 50 years old (2016–17 QS Top 50 Under 50 index). In the 2016 QS World University Rankings by Subject, RMIT is 16th in the world (highest ranked in Australia) in Art and Design, and 36th in the world (fourth highest in Australia) in Architecture and the Built Environment. We are also among the world’s top 100 universities in Engineering (Civil and Structural; Electrical and Electronic; and Mechanical, Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing); Accounting and Finance; and Business and Management Studies). Our research was ranked among the best in the world in the 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia evaluation. RMIT was rated “well above world standard” in 13 fields and “above world standard” in a further nine fields. www.rmit.edu.au Research & Innovation Portfolio RMIT uses its global presence, urban environment and community and industry connections to capture opportunities and ensure our research makes a difference. Our focus on application and transformation is having a positive impact on communities and the environment. Our aspiration is to make a significant contribution to knowledge in our areas of specialisation and identify and develop innovative approaches to build economic prosperity and to address problems affecting society. RMIT has established eight Enabling Capability Platforms (ECPs) which go beyond a traditional academic discipline-based view of the world. ECPs are clusters of research excellence that can be deployed to deliver significant positive economic, social and environmental impact. It is through connecting our areas of research excellence and deploying that excellence to address others’ needs that RMIT will make a substantial difference. 1 The ECP areas will be in advanced manufacturing and fabrication, advanced materials, biomedical and health innovation, design and creative practice, global business innovation, information and systems (engineering), social change, and urban futures. Researchers at RMIT University are based in Schools and are affiliated with our ECPs. This enables us to provide focus and support for outcome-related multi-disciplinary research, undertaken in collaboration with leading organisations and industry partners. These collaborations ensure our research outcomes make a difference. The Research & Innovation Portfolio oversees research and research training across the University through the development and implementation of RMIT University’s strategic research priorities and managing research systems and reporting requirements. The Portfolio supports the research activity of staff and student researchers with professional development, collaboration and funding opportunities, ethics and responsible conduct compliance, contract development, intellectual property, project completions and profiling. Through the School of Graduate Research, the Portfolio is responsible for promoting and enhancing research education and training at RMIT in order to ensure the highest standard of research candidate experience is possible. The RMIT Gallery, Design Hub and Design Archives are an important part of RMIT’s public engagement in the fields of art and design and strengthen research in these fields. Find out more about research at RMIT University and the Research & Innovation Portfolio at http://www.rmit.edu.au/research/ RMIT Design Hub RMIT Design Hub is a progressive educational environment. It houses a community of architects, designers, curators and students for collaborative, inter-disciplinary design research and education within a purpose-built, 10- storey building that also includes RMIT University's School of Architecture & Design and the RMIT Design Archives. The Project Rooms at Design Hub exhibit creative, practice-led research and are open to everyone. Exhibitions at Design Hub visualise, perform and share research ideas and make new research connections. Position Summary The Design Hub Curatorial Assistant provides curatorial, research and general administration support to the Design Hub Curators to assist in the development, presentation and promotion of exhibitions and public programs. The Curatorial Assistant will provide support across a variety of tasks including general co-ordination and correspondence, copy writing, brief and report preparations, assistance with the production of publications (print and online), coordination of the Design Hub website, exhibition marketing and communications support and coordination of Design Hub social media accounts. The Curatorial Assistant will work with the Curators to effectively support their role as the public face of Design Hub – attending exhibitions, events and forums and representing Design Hub both within and outside the University. The Curatorial Assistant will coordinate public programs and events, including exhibition openings and assist with the development of creative program documentation, such as podcasts and videography. The Curatorial Assistant is responsible for front of house coordination, with the Design Hub Operations Assistant, which ensures the smooth running of Design Hub’s exhibition spaces. This role will invigilate the exhibition space (a role shared with the Operations Assistant) and it is expected that the Curatorial Assistant will handle enquiries about the nature of the works and exhibitions from the general public and specialist/expert groups. The responsibilities of the position will include working with the Operations Assistant in the training and monitoring of volunteers to a high standard of practice to ensure protection of the works, safe OH&S practices and provision of excellent service delivery at RMIT Design Hub. This role is required to invigilate the exhibition and work on Saturdays. Sitting the exhibition during the week and on Saturdays will be taken in rotation with the Design Hub Operations Assistant (i.e. half of each day and each alternate Saturday during exhibitions). We’re searching for a dynamic, resilient and highly motivated person to assist the RMIT Design Hub team. Your knowledge of design and creative practice, combined with a strong desire to help create meaningful experiences for our visitors, will invigorate our team and allow you to share innovative ideas. You champion design and creative practice and your exploratory nature assists you to uncover ideas. You consider yourself a creative person and have a strong interest in audience engagement and feel confident working with designers and practice-based researchers. Your approach to work is open, collaborative and adaptable. 2 Reporting Line Reports to: Design Hub Curators Direct reports: Nil Organisational Accountabilities RMIT University is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of its staff. RMIT and its staff must comply with a range of statutory requirements, including equal opportunity, occupational health and safety, privacy and trade practice. RMIT also expects staff to comply with its policy and procedures, which relate to statutory requirements and our ways of working. Appointees are accountable for completing training on these matters and ensuring their knowledge is up to date. Key Accountabilities 1. Provision of administrative and curatorial support for Design Hub’s exhibition program including: Ensuring the provision of efficient and effective administrative support to the curators and other Design Hub staff. Assisting with exhibition research and the development of public programs and Design Hub events. Assisting with the coordination of exhibition and public programs documentation through means such as photography and podcasts. Assisting with proof-reading all published material, drafting correspondence and design briefs, publications. Regularly attend exhibitions