James Hope

James Hope is an experienced art curator currently serving as the Curator of Art at Ashburton District Council since November 2021. Previously, James held the position of Assistant Curator at Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua from October 2019 to January 2021, and worked as a Visitor Services Host at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu from May 2014 to October 2019, focusing on customer service, art work security, and administration. Additional experience includes a curatorial internship at Dunedin Public Art Gallery in 2018, prior front of house management at Cassels & Sons, and barista duties at Vics Cafe. James holds two Bachelor's Degrees with Honors in Art History, Criticism and Conservation and Sociology from the University of Canterbury, completed between 2005 and 2014, and attended Hillmorton High School from 1999 to 2003.