Exhibitions Coordinator
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Job Title: Exhibitions Coordinator
Job Type: Full-time
Department: Exhibitions Production
Reporting Line: Exhibitions Production Manager
Location: 421 Arts Campus, Abu Dhabi
Role Overview
The Exhibitions Coordinator supports the planning and delivery of the exhibitions program. This role combines administrative coordination, project support, and curatorial literacy. The coordinator works closely with artists, curators, and internal teams to ensure exhibitions progress smoothly from planning through installation and deinstallation.
This is an early-career role suited to someone with 1–2 years of relevant experience who is looking to deepen their understanding of exhibition workflows within a contemporary art institution.
About 421
421 Arts Campus is an independent platform dedicated to emerging artists and creative practitioners in the UAE and across the region. A site for research, learning and experimentation, 421 provides a nurturing environment for emergent creative practices and those who want to harness the arts as an agent for social inquiry and transformation.
Key Responsibilities:
Exhibition Coordination and Delivery
Support the coordination of all phases of exhibition development from curatorial brief to deinstallation.
Assist in building and maintaining exhibition timelines and task trackers.
Track milestones, approvals, and dependencies across teams.
Ensure key deadlines and deliverables are met by following up with relevant stakeholders.
Artist and Curator Liaison
Support communication with artists and curators throughout the exhibition lifecycle.
Help translate curatorial concepts into clear task lists and operational requirements.
Prepare summaries, notes, and follow-ups after meetings.
Maintain organized correspondence and documentation.
Cross-Departmental Coordination
Share updated information with communications, learning, production, and operations teams.
Assist in scheduling and structuring coordination meetings.
Flag potential delays or misalignments to the line manager early.
Ensure departments have access to up-to-date exhibition information.
Project Management Support
Maintain work plans, trackers, and shared documents.
Support version control for curatorial texts, image lists, layouts, and production files.
Assist in coordinating internal approvals and handovers.
Support basic budget tracking in collaboration with the line manager and production team.
Content and Curatorial Support
Assist in reviewing wall texts, labels, and interpretive materials for clarity and consistency.
Fact-check information and ensure correct artist details, image credits, and dates.
Support alignment between exhibitions and related public programs.
Administration and Documentation
Maintain organized records including contracts, loans, image lists, schedules, and approvals.
Support procurement and administrative processes related to exhibitions.
Document updates and decisions to ensure clear internal records.
Required Profile
1–3 years of experience in exhibition support, gallery coordination, curatorial assistance, or related roles.
Strong interest in contemporary art and exhibition-making.
Basic project management skills and comfort working with timelines and trackers.
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
Clear written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic are required.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Willingness to learn institutional workflows and develop professionally.
What Success Looks Like in This Role
Deadlines are tracked and followed up on consistently.
Artists and curators receive timely communication and clear logistical support.
Internal teams have access to accurate and updated information.
Documentation is organized and accessible.
Exhibitions move forward with fewer last-minute surprises due to early tracking and communication.
The coordinator develops increasing independence and confidence over time.
Position Context
This is a full-time early-career position within the exhibitions program. The Exhibitions Coordinator will receive guidance from Programs and Community Initiatives while being expected to take ownership of assigned tasks and workflows. The role is designed to build professional capacity in exhibition coordination, institutional communication, and project management within a contemporary art context.