Curator of Community and Faith

Company: Emdad Al Khebrat –

WebSite: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Job Description:Subject: Curator Position – [Specify Thematic Area] Department: Collections and Exhibitions Section: Content Unit: Collections Project Overview: This is an exceptional opportunity to join a team of dedicated professionals in the creation of a landmark museum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This museum will showcase the cultures of the world through a unique combination of extraordinary artifacts, cutting-edge technology, innovative interpretation, and inclusive public engagement. As a key element in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda, this project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a project of national significance and global impact. Job Purpose: The Curator will be responsible for the conceptual development and intellectual coherence of one of the museum’s core thematic areas. The museum will be structured through major cross-cultural themes that illuminate how human societies create meaning, relate to one another, and understand the world. This thematic framework will guide the institution’s exploration of world cultures and human history. Six Curators will each assume scholarly leadership over a specific thematic area: Beauty and Human Image: Exploring the human pursuit and expression of harmony, status, and emotion through form, movement, and sound (Beauty); and the depiction of self and others, from symbols of power to mirrors of identity (Human Image). Faith and Community: Examining the bonds that foster belonging, cooperation, and collective identity (Community); and the expressions of belief, spirituality, and the relationship with the transcendent (Faith). Knowledge and Transformation: Investigating the pursuit, creation, and sharing of knowledge – from ancestral traditions to modern science (Knowledge); and how the transformation of natural resources and materials has shaped tools, objects, and human evolution (Transformation). Movement and Communication: Tracing the movement, migration, and exchange of ideas across lands and seas (Movement); and the creation, concealment, sharing, and preservation of meaning through words, symbols, and media (Communication). Nature and Time: Understanding the adaptation to, reverence for, and transformation of the natural world (Nature); and the perception, measurement, and meaning attributed to the flow of existence and its cycles (Time). Saudi Arabia and the World: Highlighting the global historical relevance of the Arabian Peninsula through its encounters, contributions, and exchanges across civilizations. This role requires expertise in the material culture, history, and archaeological heritage of the Arabian Peninsula, coupled with a global perspective to trace the region’s connections and influences throughout history. Each Curator will articulate narratives connecting artworks, objects, and diverse forms of evidence across materials, periods, styles, and cultural contexts to illuminate how societies shape meaning and experience. The Curators will also collaborate closely within the museum’s curatorial team to ensure that their thematic area contributes fully to the institution’s broader vision: presenting the diversity of human creativity and cultural expression as a shared heritage of humankind. Roles and Responsibilities: Strategy and Planning: Develop and refine the conceptual and curatorial framework for the assigned thematic area, ensuring coherence with the museum’s global narrative. Budget Management: Manage the budget corresponding to the assigned work streams. Policies, Processes, and Procedures: Ensure full alignment with the institution’s internal policies, procedures, and processes. Functional Accountabilities: Identify, research, and manage objects and collections related to the assigned themes, whether from the museum’s holdings or external loans. Manage timelines for exhibition and display development, considering conservation constraints and loan requirements. Contribute to defining interpretation and exhibition strategies that enable the thematic area to dialogue and reveal its presence across cultures. Contribute to research initiatives, publications, and public programs that deepen understanding and engagement with the thematic area within the museum’s mission. Stakeholder Management: Collaborate with scholars, institutions, and communities worldwide to incorporate diverse intercultural perspectives. People Management: Collaborate with multidisciplinary external teams. Inspire the team and promote an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and creative contributions. Job Qualifications and Requirements: Knowledge and Experience: A minimum of 5 years of curatorial experience. Accredited experience in the curation of exhibitions, especially in the role of lead curator. Proven ability to curate cross-cultural or interdisciplinary exhibitions. Demonstrated contribution to scholarly publications, articles, or exhibition catalogues (either individually or collectively). Strong understanding of museum practices, including curatorial, educational, and exhibition design principles. Education and Certifications: Bachelor’s degree in art history, Cultural Anthropology, Religious Studies, Ethnology, Archeology, museum studies or related field is required. Master’s degree in the previously mentioned fields is preferred. Relevant certifications are highly desirable. Personal Capabilities and Qualifications: Capacity for creative thinking, with a keen eye for innovative expressions in the context of museum exhibitions. Demonstrated capacity for strategic planning and project management, with experience handling budgets and resources responsibly. Excellent interpersonal skills, with a talent for building relationships within the institution’s team and across diverse stakeholder groups and managing negotiations and conflict resolutions. Strategic thinking and innovative problem-solving capabilities. Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to interpret complex information. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, enabling effective storytelling to inspire audiences. Strong commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the curatorial process. Intuitive understanding of cultural sensitivity and respectful engagement with different communities. High level of adaptability and resilience, ability to navigate the complexities of museum operations. Capability to analyze and synthesize feedback for ongoing improvement and innovation. Passion for lifelong learning.

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