We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Guest Curator to join our team for the Ras Al Khaimah Art 2026 Festival, held at Al Jazeera Al Hamra Heritage Village. The Guest Curator will work closely with the Arts and Culture Manager and the Festival team to create compelling vision, select artworks, execute a curated exhibition throughout the village, positioning artworks, and oversee the installation process to ensure quality and consistency with the Festival’s theme narrative.

The curation timeline starts from June 2025 until February 2026, with three key phases:

1. Artwork Selection (June 2025): The selected guest curator will have to fly in/visit for a week to Ras Al Khaimah, UAE to conduct site visits, artwork measurements and finalize selected works under the category's art and photography, sculpture/installation, and students (K-12).
2. Supervising Initial Installation (December 2025): The selected curator will have to fly in/visit for a week to oversee the first stage of installing the selected pieces on-site.
3. Final Installation, Quality Check and Attending the Opening Night (mid Jan – 1st week Feb 2026): The selected curator will have to fly in/visit for 2 weeks to ensure the final look and feel of the exhibition aligns with the curatorial narrative and theme.

Key Deliverables

• Curation Map
• Planning Summary with shortlisted artwork (with artwork sizes and preferred printing materials)
• Overall Curatorial Statement

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Museum Studies, or a related field.
• Experience: Proven experience in curating exhibitions in open-air environments or heritage sites, managing the unique challenges of outdoor displays, including weather conditions, public access, and spatial design. Experience as a guest curator is a plus.
• Skills:
  • Strong knowledge of art, culture, and contemporary curatorial practices.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate curatorial concepts clearly through statements, presentations, and media interviews.
  • Experience providing public talks or leading tours for VIP guests or Festival attendees.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, including artists and technical staff.
  • Ability to adapt to changing schedules and manage unforeseen challenges in a dynamic outdoor environment.
  • Understanding of local customs and traditions, ensuring that the exhibition reflects and respects the cultural heritage of the location.
  • Comfortable engaging with media outlets and providing interviews when required.
• Technical Skills: Familiarity with exhibition software and tools for design and layout (e.g., SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite) is an asset.
• Personal Attributes: Creative thinker, detail-oriented, and passionate about art and culture