Call for Curator of Architecture at the Museum of Contemporary Art and Architecture Centre of the Centro Cultural de Belém (m/f)

Presentation of the FCCB

 

The Centro Cultural de Belém, a landmark institution inaugurated in 1993, 19 years after the April 1974 revolution, a testament to a modern and democratic Portugal, is managed by a public foundation under private law whose aim is to promote culture, developing creation and dissemination in all its forms, from classical music to improvised music, theatre to dance, opera to literature, architecture to the visual arts.

The CCB also offers services as a centre for congresses, conferences and professional meetings. Since 2024, its capacity has been enriched with the creation of the MAC/CCB Museum of Contemporary Art, which houses distinguished collections of great prestige in the field of modern and contemporary, art and also includes an Architecture Centre with a regular programme.

The CCB was conceived during Portugal’s first presidency of the European Community as part of a modern and functional vision of culture and heritage.

The architectural design, developed by architects Vittorio Gregotti and Manuel

Salgado, blends harmoniously into the territory and landscape of the Belém area, alongside monuments such as the Jerónimos Monastery and the Belém Tower.

Its structure consists of three interconnected modules that allow for fluid and efficient circulation between the different spaces, promoting a dialogue between the interior and exterior. The CCB is a testament to the evolution of contemporary Portuguese architecture and one of Europe’s leading cultural production centres. Construction of Modules 4 and 5, which were included in the initial project and are intended for hotels, shops and services, but have been awarded to an independent concessionaire, will begin shortly.

 

Some indicators for 2024
Performances presented: 400
Number of spectators: 101,199
Exhibitions held at MAC/CCB: 15 exhibitions
Number of visitors to exhibitions: 588,643
Events held at the Congress Centre: 219
Number of participants: 90,913

 

The South Garage/Architecture Centre is a place where ideas and practices for transforming the built environment are presented. Through temporary exhibitions,

conferences, workshops and other public programmes, current hypotheses with an impact on ecosystems and society are debated. The projects and works are exhibited with disciplinary rigour and communicated to non-specialist audiences. The South Garage thus presents itself as an architecture centre, paving the way for the sharing of responsibilities in the construction of the habitats of the future.

Garagem Sul’s programme aims to refocus the debate and understanding of architecture as the art of building and transforming the physical world and the built environment. Rather than celebrating authorship and exceptionality, architecture must be conceived as a complex task that requires deep social articulation and understanding, from the economic and cultural context to production systems and technological skills. Garagem Sul’s programme aims to build this bridge between the sharing of architectural knowledge and its manipulation and use in contemporary society.

Since its inauguration in 2012, this space has grown in its programme of exhibitions, visits and debates, and has also expanded its activity in the field of public mediation and educational services. In 2023, it became part of the newly created MAC/CCB Museum. This moment is an opportunity to interconnect the two activities and work in the fields of architecture and visual arts, promoting the intersection of various technical and artistic disciplines, and thus presenting an integrated programme to the CCB’s different audiences. This year, after a programme of refurbishment and repurposing of the space, it reopened as an Architecture Centre, closely linked to the proposals presented at the Museum.

Over the years, the CCB’s South Garage has benefited from the important collaboration of architecture programmers. First with Diogo Seixas Lopes (2012-2016), then with André Tavares (2017-2023), followed by Mariana Pestana (2024-2025).

The CCB is currently looking for a new programmer for the area of Architecture, who will be appointed Curator and will work as part of the MAC/CCB team.

 

Job description

The Architecture Curator (m/f) will be responsible for the CCB’s architecture programme at Garagem Sul, bringing a strong curatorial vision to the preparation of the programme, with a visionary and creative character, in a constant search for excellence and innovation.

Reporting directly to the MAC/CCB Management and subject to its approval, the Architecture Curator will work closely with other programming and activity areas at the Centro Cultural de Belém.

The growth and diversification of audiences and the reputation and image of the CCB should be among their main concerns. They will therefore be responsible for:

 

• Define and propose an annual programme of exhibitions, visits, debates, publications and other activities deemed relevant
• Coordinate the team and the budget
• Establish national and international contacts
• Promote activities and initiatives in the field of architecture
• Seek partnerships, support and sponsorship

Candidate profile

• Higher education, with a Master’s or PhD being an advantage
• Experience in other similar institutions
• Strategic vision for building an ambitious international programme
• Proven experience in a national and international environment
• Good knowledge of the national and international art scene
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Ability to work in a team
• Fluency in Portuguese and foreign languages, namely French and English

 

Application documents

• Strategic vision for 2026-2028
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of motivation and other documentation considered relevant

 

Updated Timetable  (Updated on 28 July 2025)

• 6 June – Announcement of the call for applications
• 15 August – Deadline for submission of applications and supporting documents

September

• Phase 1: Administrative pre-selection and appointment of an external jury
  Jury composition: Nuria Enguita (Chair), Julia Albani, Delfim Sardo and André Tavares

• Phase 2: Interviews with the three shortlisted candidates, conducted by the Board of Directors, followed by final selection

October 2025 (first fortnight) – Announcement of the selected candidate

 

Other information

• Fixed-term contract, on a part-time service commission basis for a period of 4 years
• Remuneration conditions do not include relocation allowances

• Documents must be sent in a single PDF file
• Applications and any questions related to this process should be sent to the email address: drh@ccb.pt

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