About Parnell Gallery

Parnell Gallery is one of New Zealand’s longest-standing dealer art galleries, representing a diverse stable of contemporary painters, sculptors, and printmakers. Located in a heritage building in the heart of Parnell, Auckland, the gallery presents monthly exhibitions and a curated selection of artworks across two gallery spaces. Known for its warm relationships with artists and collectors, the gallery offers a thoughtful and engaging experience for visitors and clients alike.

Purpose of the Role

To lead the physical and curatorial presentation of the gallery, ensuring artworks are handled, displayed, and maintained to the highest standard. This role is central to the gallery’s visual identity, artist relationships, and client experience.  Handling and installing artwork is a specialised role and we are looking for someone with the right combination of creative and practical hands-on skills and experience to join our high performing team.

While not essential, we are ideally looking for someone with experience in photography and Photoshop, particularly for photographing and colour-matching artworks. Once we’ve recruited for this role, we’ll also be bringing on a support person to assist with photography and installations—this new hire would report to you.

As Curator you will be involved in a wide variety of tasks including all aspects of installing and maintaining our monthly exhibitions as well as the management of our stockroom and incoming / outgoing artworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the curation, hanging, and visual presentation of both exhibitions and stock works displayed throughout the gallery
• Manage and maintain the stockroom, ensuring careful handling, storage, and condition of all artworks
• Handle incoming and outgoing artworks with professionalism and care, including packaging and dispatching artworks
• Support print stock management, including quality control and replacements
• Contribute to artist relationship-building and gallery culture
• Maintain cleanliness and visual standards across gallery spaces
• Support sales and customer service by engaging with clients on gallery floor and discussing artworks in a knowledgeable and personable way
• Liaise with artists and clients in a warm, professional manner, contributing to the gallery’s reputation for strong relationships
• Work closely with exhibiting artists to support artwork planning and presentation, offering feedback and guidance as needed
• Documentation of artworks, including photography and Photoshop work (if skilled)

Required Experience

• Prior experience working in a gallery or similar arts environment
• Proven experience in handling and hanging artworks
• Familiarity with stockroom systems and safe storage practices
• Comfortable using tools (e.g. drills, hammers) and working at height
• Physically fit, as this role includes lifting and moving artworks (up to 30kg with assistance)
• Passion for art and a strong aesthetic sensibility
• Confidence in using basic tools and equipment for installation and display

Required Skills and Competencies

• Careful, tidy worker with high attention to detail and good spatial awareness
• Strong hand-eye coordination and confidence with tools, with an eye for the practical and aesthetic aspects of hanging art
• Patience and problem-solving mindset
• Takes pride in working to a high standard
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the confidence to work independently, take full ownership of the role, and shape it with initiative and responsibility
• Curiosity and genuine interest in artists and their work
• Diplomacy and professionalism when dealing with damage or sensitive issues
• Comfortable to engage with clients and discuss artworks / artists on gallery floor as required
• Ability to support client interactions / sales administration without being sales focussed
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with artists and clients
• Ability to work collaboratively in a small team and take initiative when needed

Required Experience and Skills

• Must have worked in a gallery and handled artworks
• Must be physically capable and confident in a hands-on role
• Must be comfortable working in a dynamic, client-facing environment
• Familiarity with New Zealand contemporary art
• Confident computer skills, ideally with experience using artwork management platforms such as Art Galleria
• Ability to support artist relationships and contribute to gallery culture
• Comfort with both creative and administrative tasks (e.g. handling artworks and managing stock systems)

 Preferred Experience and Skills

• Art qualification or formal training in a related field
• Experience with artwork photography and colour matching in Adobe Photoshop

Note: Once we have appointed the Curator, we will be recruiting a technician/gallery assistant to support this role, with a focus on photography, installations, and general gallery operations. The scope and hours of this position (full-time or part-time) will be confirmed following the curator appointment. If this sounds of interest, feel free to email us to be notified when the job description is available.

To provide an authentic perspective on our team, we approached a couple of our recent team members, to share her feedback their experience of working with us.

Art Consultant Feedback:
“The time I spent at Parnell Gallery has had a significant influence on what I expect from employers moving forward. Anna, Sally and the team foster a creative environment based on trust, respect, and transparency where questions, curiosity, and development are embraced in every domain. I can’t overstate how instrumental the impact of this culture has had upon my professional development and approach to work; what I once considered personal flaws (i.e., attention to detail), I now take as opportunities to nurture into strengths. I am so proud to be connected to Parnell Gallery and the opportunities my time there continues to provide.”

Gallery Assistant Feedback:
“Parnell Gallery has been my introduction into the art world, and has really allowed me to learn and expand my skills and knowledge about how the art sector works. The gallery’s warm, inviting atmosphere, along with its inspiring staff, has been instrumental in my growth. Learning from each staff member, with their diverse skill sets, has been particularly motivating. This experience has strengthened my administration, communication, and artwork handling abilities. From supporting the gallery manager/art consultant in charge, to assisting with exhibition installations and deinstallations, each day is dynamic and creative.”

How to Apply

To apply, please email your CV and a brief cover letter to parnellgalleryjobs@gmail.com

In your cover letter, we’d love to hear about:

• Your experience working in a gallery or arts-related environment
• Any hands-on experience you have with handling, installing, or packaging artworks
• Your familiarity with New Zealand contemporary art
• Any experience with photography, Photoshop, or other Adobe software
• Why this role appeals to you and what you would bring to it

Please also confirm your availability (start date and available working days) and your eligibility to work in New Zealand.

We look forward to hearing from you.