Julia Waite is an art historian, curator, and author contributing to the arts landscape in Aotearoa, New Zealand. She is currently Kairauhë Toi no Aotearoa/ Curator of New Zealand Art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o TÃÂmaki.
Waite had an upbringing that was influenced by both her parents' passions for art. She lived in Wellington throughout her childhood, and also recalls artworks she engaged with at her grandparents' house. This sparked her interest in art and art history from a young age, which she sustained until she studied the subjects at a university level.
Whilst studying for her Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in Art History at the University of Otago she gained experience working at Dunedin Public Art Gallery which further piqued her interest in gallery and museum spaces, and more significantly in the world of art curation. Her education extends to include both a Masters in Art History from the University of Auckland with First Class Honours, and a Masters of Museum and Heritage Studies from Victoria University.
Her research and curatorial outputs often centre around modern art in New Zealand, representing underrepresented artists, various modernism movements around the world, and photography.
She is currently Kairauhë Toi no Aotearoa/ Curator of New Zealand Art at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o TÃÂmaki. Additionally she has worked at National Gallery Singapore and The Substation, Singapore.