As Curator/Assistant Curator (Design/Architecture) at NMS, you will be centrally involved in the National Museum of Singapore’s efforts to build the Design Collection Singapore , specifically in the area of architecture, which includes the design of Singapore’s urban/public spaces and environments that have charted our changing urban landscapes, shaping the everyday lives of Singaporeans and our national identity. You will contribute to the conceptualisation and formulation of the collecting focus, working closely with relevant stakeholders and agencies to develop a framework for collecting Singapore architecture, and implement this through the acquisition of relevant collections. In conjunction with collecting, you will be involved in the curation of relevant design-themed exhibitions, engaging visitors in an accessible way with Singapore’s design history.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Acquisitions and Collections Specialisation
- Contribute to the development of the museum's curatorial and collecting strategies, particularly in the area of building NMS’ architecture-related collections.
- In-depth involvement in acquisition of new artefacts, with a focus on design-related collections and specialising in architecture, maintaining relationships with donors, securing loans of collections from other institutions and collectors, and networking within the broader design-related landscape in Singapore.
- Work closely with collections managers, conservators and related parties on the collecting guidelines and process of architecture collection.
Curation, Interpretation and Exhibition Development
- Work closely with the NMS curatorial team in conceptualising and developing storylines and themes for permanent galleries and special exhibitions related to Singapore history and heritage, with a focus on the historical to contemporary roles of design in Singapore, and as it is expressed through the lens of architecture and Singapore’s urban development.
- Work closely with collections managers, conservators, designers, and related parties to set up and curate exhibitions on physical and digital platforms.
Research, Publication and Scholarship
- Ongoing research and publications broadly on Singapore history, with a focus on the theme of architecture and Singapore’s design history, with active public engagement through interviews, talks, tours, and other forms of engagement.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Collaborate internally with other museum departments including education, programming, marketing, and partnerships, and externally with partners including industry stakeholders.
