Curatorial Associate

ART X

WHO WE ARE

ART X is a pioneering cultural organisation that creates platforms and experiences to celebrate and amplify Africa's culture. Founded in 2012 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, our mission is to harness the power of culture to unlock the potential of Nigeria and Africa. Our flagship platforms include: ART X Lagos — the leading international art fair in West Africa; ART X Live! — a unique fusion of live music and art; and the ART X Prize — an annual award championing emerging artists across Africa and its Diaspora.

In line with our mission, we collaborate closely with exceptional creatives and cultural entrepreneurs who share our passion for cultivating energised, dynamic identities for Africa and its people. We are excited to broaden our global reach and impact by welcoming ambitious individuals who resonate with this mission, and are eager to contribute their talents to the realisation of our shared vision.

ABOUT THE ROLE

ART X is seeking a Curatorial Associate with about 4 years’ experience to join our dynamic team. This role is ideal for a creative, visionary self-starter who harbours the desire to sustain a longterm career in the field of curation. It presents an opportunity to contribute to ART X’s evolving role as a catalyst for the creative industry, and to the growth and success of African talent on the regional and global stages.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with the Curatorial Production Lead on curatorial and programming initiatives, such as the ART X Prize, ART X Talks, Special Projects and more, with duties including but not limited to research and conceptualisation, artist management, critical review, text origination and editing, production, exhibition design and installation
• Execute curatorial plans in order to support the delivery of the department’s projects
• Coordinate with artists, collaborators and team members to develop and execute curatorial initiatives, projects and propose ideas/initiatives for the company
• Build and maintain relations with new and existing artists
• Research contemporary artists and contemporary art trends, as well as innovations and solutions to feature in various projects
• Support as a liaison between the Curatorial, Events, Communications and Design, and other departments to ensure timelines and creative deliverables are aligned
• Support the team by generating interpretive texts, labels, and digital content related to exhibitions and curatorial projects
• Coordination of bookings, logistics and support in the preparation of schedules and itineraries for visiting guests involved in ART X Lagos and the surrounding art week
• Prepare drafts of post-mortem reports, and suggestions for improvements, at various stages of ongoing initiatives
• Stay abreast of relevant contemporary art, culture and social media trends
• Handle administrative responsibilities associated with the curatorial execution
Other tasks and duties assigned by the Founder / Curatorial Production Lead.

ABOUT YOU

The ideal candidate is extremely creative, efficient and organised, possesses exceptional communication skills and will bring enthusiasm to the role. The ability to multitask, work calmly under pressure and be a strong team player is also vital. Other key requirements include:

• At least 4 years of experience working within the creative/ visual arts sector
• Strong track record of exhibition production
• A strong cultural alignment with ART X’s values of excellence, ownership, kindness, integrity - consistently going the extra mile as a catalyst for change
• Excellent knowledge of the visual arts and culture sectors, with an awareness of current trends
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, capable of multitasking and meeting tight deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Sturdy knowledge of the Lagos, Nigeria and Africa creative scenes
• Determined and resourceful
• Strong negotiation and advocacy skills
• Adaptable and able to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with evolving priorities
• Basic graphic design or layout skills (InDesign, Canva, etc)
Proficiency in Microsoft Office / Google Docs

ROLE SPECIFICATIONS

This position is part-time and hybrid, based in Lagos.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this position, please send a resume and cover letter, as well as a written statement sharing your motivation and career aspirations, to [email protected] with “Curatorial Associate” in the subject line. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

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