Job Title: Curator
Reports to: Brice Chief Curator
Hours: Full Time (37.5 hrs)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £26,000 to £30,000 depending on experience
JOB DESCRIPTION
About Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village:
Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village is located in Compton, near Guildford, in the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1904, Watts Gallery Trust promotes the enjoyment and understanding of the art of George Frederic Watts (1817-904) and Mary Watts (1849-1938) who established a home and studios here in the 1890s. Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village encompasses a unique group of Arts & Crafts buildings: Watts Gallery, Watts Studios, Watts Chapel and the Pottery Buildings.
Job Summary:
Watts Gallery Trust, a registered charity, is seeking to recruit a Curator to join the Curatorial Team. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and delivery of exhibitions, displays and interpretation, engaging the widest range of audiences with the art and ideas of GF and Mary Watts. They will also play a central part in enhancing the care and documentation of the collections, library and archive.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Collections
- Work with the Curatorial Team to enhance the research, interpretation and
display of the Watts Gallery Trust’s collections across the Artists’ Village. - Play an active part in the development of digital initiatives to enhance access
to and engagement with Watts Gallery Trust’s collections. - Manage the programme of long-term loans including documentation, object
valuations and insurance, condition surveys, art transport and courier
supervision as necessary. - Work with the Collections Manager and Estates teams to monitor and
maintain optimum environmental conditions across display and storage areas. - Contribute to the development of funding applications for the benefit of the collections as required.
- Respond to public enquiries.
Exhibitions
- Work with the Curatorial Team and external specialists to research, develop
and deliver a programme of high-profile exhibitions on nineteenth- and early
twentieth-century British art. - Research and write exhibition materials including interpretation, digital
content and volunteer training resources. - Manage the planning and delivery of exhibition logistics.
- Manage project budgets and contribute to Exhibition Business Plans.
Communications
- Work across departments to ensure that exhibitions, collections and displays
are effectively communicated within and beyond the organisation. - Actively contribute to the Curatorial Team’s ongoing programme of public
engagement activities including talks, tours and digital content to further enhance wide-ranging access to collections and displays.
Management and training responsibilities
- Some line-management responsibility
- Supervision of collection-based volunteers and student placements as
required. - Work with the Curatorial Team to provide collections and exhibitions training
for staff and volunteers.
Carry out other related work as required by the Brice Curator or Director.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge & Experience
- 3 years curatorial experience in a museum or gallery environment
- A specialist knowledge in nineteenth and early twentieth-century British art, history and visual culture
- Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering exhibitions in a museum or gallery
- Proven experience of working with collections, managing loans procedures and collection documentation
- Experience of using a collections management database
Qualifications
- MA/PhD degree in History of Art
- Knowledge of Museum Accreditation standards,
- Spectrum 5.0 and the MA Code of Ethics for Museums
Key Competencies
- Collaborative with strong team-working and interpersonal skills
- Project co-ordination skills and demonstrable evidence of the ability to plan and prioritise work to meet agreed standards, deadlines and budgets
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
- Highly competent IT user (MS Office)
- Proven ability to effectively train, coach and supervise staff and volunteers
- Ability to line manage staff and volunteers
- Adaptable and flexible
- Highly proactive and self-motivated
RECRUITMENT TIMELINE:
Deadline for applications has been extended to Friday 3 January 2020
First interviews: Wednesday 15 January 2020
Final interviews: Thursday 23 January 2020
Applications including a supporting statement expressing interest in and suitability for the position and CV should be sent to Katie Smith, Executive Assistant, at katie.smith@wattsgallery.org.uk
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
Watts Gallery is fully committed to Equality and Diversity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
