IKT Elections 2025
This year, IKT is seeking to welcome two dedicated individuals to the board and elect a new President to lead the organisation forward.
WHY APPLY?
Serving on the IKT Board or stepping into the role of President is more than just a leadership opportunity—it is a chance to actively shape the future of IKT and the curatorial profession at large. Board members play a crucial role in defining the organisation’s priorities, developing programs, and ensuring that IKT remains responsive to the needs of contemporary art curators. It is an opportunity to expand one’s professional network, connecting with influential curators, institutions, and cultural leaders worldwide, fostering collaborations that can enhance individual careers while strengthening the organisation as a whole.
For those seeking the Presidency, this is a chance to take on a key leadership role in IKT’s future, guiding initiatives, fostering new collaborations, and strengthening the organisation's global impact.
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
IKT is currently shaping its strategic direction, focusing on enhancing financial sustainability and refining services to cater to the evolving needs of contemporary art curators. We are seeking community members from diverse backgrounds, possessing a range of skills, perspectives, and voices, to contribute to the realisation of our strategic vision and amplify IKT's capacity and influence. While we welcome applications from all community members interested in serving IKT, we are particularly interested in candidates who can offer expertise or experience in the following key areas:
Advancement/Development and Fundraising Experience: We seek board candidates who are passionate about cultivating partnerships and adept at strategic fundraising. Your enthusiasm and expertise in fundraising will play a crucial role in advancing IKT's mission and expanding our network of support.
Financial Sustainability and Business Development: We are seeking candidates with proven financial expertise to contribute to IKT's long-term sustainability and growth. Your insights will help identify opportunities for revenue generation, mitigate risks, and ensure the organisation's financial health and resilience.
Marketing, Communications, and Community Engagement: we are looking for board members with expertise in marketing, communications, and community engagement to strengthen IKT's presence and connectivity within the global curatorial community. Your skills will be instrumental in amplifying our reach, fostering meaningful connections, and enhancing engagement with our diverse membership base.
IKT welcomes applications from individuals representing diverse backgrounds and experiences. We particularly encourage those from historically marginalised communities or underrepresented types of institutions or regions to apply. At IKT, we uphold principles of inclusivity and do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, gender, gender expression and identity, age, national origin, or disability in any of our activities or operations. We believe that a diverse board enriches our organisation, bringing a variety of perspectives and insights to our decision-making processes and strategic direction.
WHAT’S EXPECTED OF IKT BOARD MEMBERS AND THE PRESIDENT?
Board members and the President play a vital role in guiding IKT’s mission, providing strategic oversight, and ensuring the organisation’s long-term sustainability. They are expected to actively contribute their time and expertise to strengthen IKT’s impact.
Commitments & Responsibilities
Time Commitment – Minimum of 10 hours per month, including participation in quarterly board meetings and completion of assigned tasks.
Responsiveness & Decision-Making – Board members and the President must be proactive and responsive, as certain responsibilities—such as reviewing member applications or urgent governance matters—require timely action. Effective communication is essential, and members are expected to be available for fast responses via instant group messaging platforms (e.g., WhatsApp, Signal) when urgent issues arise. While major discussions will take place in scheduled meetings, the ability to engage in quick decision-making and real-time communication ensures that IKT remains agile and responsive to its members' needs and operational demands.
Congress Attendance – In-person attendance at the annual Congress (typically in the Spring) is mandatory for all board members and the President. To support accessibility, IKT offers two travel stipends per year, of up to 500 euros, for self-funded board members, subject to availability.
Term Length – Board members and the President serve a three-year term. Candidates should familiarise themselves with the organisation’s constitution
Leadership & Advocacy – Board members and the President act as ambassadors for IKT, advocating for the organisation’s mission and expanding its reach.
Strategic Development – They contribute to shaping IKT’s vision, engaging in key discussions, and ensuring that the organisation remains relevant and impactful.
Fundraising & Partnerships – Members are expected to support fundraising efforts and leverage their networks to strengthen IKT’s financial sustainability.
Congress Planning & Execution – Board members actively participate in organising the annual Congress, ensuring its success.
Additional Responsibilities for the President
Providing a Paid Administrative Position – The President must ensure that IKT has a dedicated administrator for a minimum of 2 days per week, with the salary covered by the President’s organisation or external support—not by IKT. This role is essential for the organisation's smooth operation and includes: overseeing organisational operations, coordinating essential services, serving as the primary point of contact for members, managing IKT’s website and social media, handling bookkeeping and budget management, etc)
Providing Strategic Leadership – Setting the overall vision and priorities for IKT.
Financial Oversight – Ensuring the organisation’s financial sustainability through partnerships and funding.
Official Representation – Serving as the key public representative of IKT in external engagements.
Please note: These roles are voluntary, and board members and the President do not receive monetary compensation.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To ensure strong leadership and active engagement in IKT’s mission, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Board Members
To be considered for a position on the IKT Board, candidates must:
Have been an IKT member for at least two years.
Have maintained an active membership status with a complete payment record.
Have attended at least one annual Congress in the past three years, demonstrating their engagement with the organisation and its activities.
President
Candidates for the position of IKT President must:
Have been an IKT member for at least four years.
Have maintained an active membership status with a complete payment record.
Have attended at least two IKT Congresses, with at least one in the past three years, to demonstrate sustained engagement.
Be able to provide a paid position for an IKT administrator for a minimum of 2 days per week for the presidential term (3 years).
Preference will be given to candidates who have hosted/organised an IKT Congress, as this demonstrates a deep understanding of IKT’s operations, a strong commitment to its mission, and proven leadership in supporting the organisation’s growth and engagement with its members.
WHAT’S THE NOMINATION AND APPOINTMENT PROCESS?
Interested individuals are invited to complete and submit the application form . Additionally, please send your CV to ikt.curatorial@gmail.com. If you are attending the Congress, you will have the opportunity to deliver a brief 2-minute introduction in person. If you are unable to attend, we kindly ask that you submit a pre-recorded 2-minute video presentation instead.
The deadline for submitting applications is 30 March 2025, at 11:59pm GMT. If further information is needed for your application, we will reach out to you accordingly.
WHAT’S NEXT?
All applications will undergo a thorough review by the board to ensure they meet the established criteria. Eligible candidates' profiles will then be shared with IKT members via the website and newsletter.
The voting process, open exclusively to active IKT members, will take place in person during the IKT General Assembly on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar, via ballot voting. Votes will be counted on-site, and the selected candidates will be announced immediately.
Newly elected members will begin their mandate on May 1, 2025, serving until April 30, 2028 (3-year term). The final announcement of the new Board Members will be published on our website and shared with the IKT community.
WHAT IF I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
If you have any additional questions, please contact ikt.curatorial@gmail.com