Senior Manager (Curatorial Programmes)

Role Overview

The Senior Manager (Curatorial Programmes) leads the development and delivery of artist, curator, and thinker led programmes that extend SAM's exhibitions, collections, commissions, and research into live public formats.

Working at the intersection of curatorial thinking, audience engagement, and cultural production, the role develops talks, screenings, performances, workshops, symposia, sonic formats, participatory projects, and interdisciplinary collaborations that create critical encounters with contemporary art and its ideas.

The role is responsible for shaping programmes as a form of interpretation, ensuring that ideas are made public through formats that are rigorous, accessible, and alive. It requires someone who can work closely across Curatorial, Production, Learning, Marketing & Communications, and Interpretation & Publishing to facilitate strong project delivery, while also testing new ways for SAM to gather publics around contemporary practice.

The successful candidate should also be committed to ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion, such that programmes and partnerships are developed with care, relevance, and respect for diverse communities and perspectives.

Key Responsibilities

Curatorial Programming & Content Development

• Develop programmes as a form of interpretation, creating live and public formats through which audiences can encounter, question, and engage with contemporary art and its ideas
• Develop experiential and multi-format programming that may include performances, screenings, lectures, conversations, workshops, participatory projects, community activations, festivals, social programmes, digital engagements, and other experimental formats.
• Translate complex artistic and conceptual ideas into engaging and thought-provoking public experiences for culturally-curious youth and adult audiences.
• Identify emerging artistic practices, cultural conversations, and audience interests to inform programme development and ensure relevance.
• Build and sustain relationships with artists, curators, writers, academics, cultural practitioners, community organisations, and creative partners locally and internationally.
• Collaborate closely with curators and cross-functional teams to ensure programme strategies are aligned with institutional priorities and exhibition objectives.
• Commission and support artists, speakers, facilitators, and collaborators in the development of programme content.

Programme Production & Project Management

• Facilitate alignment between curatorial intent, production requirements, audience experience, and public engagement outcomes.
• Develop and manage programme budgets, timelines, contracts, procurement processes, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate effectively with internal stakeholders, including Curatorial, Interpretation, Visitor Experience, Marketing & Communications, Estates, and AV teams, to ensure seamless programme delivery.
• Manage logistical and operational requirements for programmes, including venue preparation, technical production, ticketing, registration, accessibility provisions, and participant management.
• Ensure programmes are delivered to a high standard, within budget, and in compliance with institutional policies and risk management frameworks.
• Contribute programme content and narratives for marketing, communications, digital platforms, and audience development initiatives.

Audience Engagement, Evaluation & Strategic Development

• Develop audience-centred approaches that foster meaningful participation, dialogue, and long-term engagement with contemporary art.
• Analyse programme outcomes using audience insights, attendance data, feedback mechanisms, and evaluation frameworks to inform future programme strategies.
• Identify opportunities for new partnerships, audience growth, and programme innovation.
• Maintain programme documentation, archives, and institutional records to support knowledge-sharing and future planning.
• Build and maintain networks of artists, facilitators, speakers, cultural practitioners, and community partners.

Leadership & Team Development

• Mentor interns, temporary staff, and junior team members, supporting their professional growth and programme delivery capabilities.
• Contribute to a collaborative and inclusive team culture that encourages experimentation, critical thinking, and innovation.
• Support departmental and institutional initiatives, including cross-team projects and strategic priorities as required.

Requirements

Education & Knowledge

• Degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Arts Management, Museum Studies, Cultural Studies, Humanities, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of contemporary art, visual culture, and current artistic and curatorial discourse, with awareness of developments across Singapore, Southeast Asia, and the international arts landscape.
• Demonstrated understanding of audience engagement practices and the evolving role of museums as spaces for dialogue, participation, and cultural exchange.

Experience

• 7–9 years of relevant experience in museums, independent arts spaces, arts organisations/collectives, festivals, biennales, cultural institutions, or related sectors.
• Proven track record in developing and delivering public programmes, audience engagement initiatives, or curatorial projects.
• Experience working with artists, cultural practitioners, and community stakeholders to realise complex and collaborative projects.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while balancing conceptual, operational, and strategic considerations.
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, procurement processes, and external vendors is preferred.

Competencies

• Excellent research, writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong cultural and access sensitivity, and committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong conceptual thinking with the ability to translate ideas into impactful public experiences.
• Highly organised, adaptable, and capable of working in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders with professionalism and sensitivity.
• Collaborative mindset with the confidence to lead projects independently.
• Strong proficiency in spoken and written English. Additional language capabilities are an advantage.
• Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and public holidays as required by programme schedules.