Watts Gallery Trust (WGT), a registered charity, is seeking to recruit a dynamic, emerging Curator to join the Curatorial Team. The successful candidate will develop exhibitions and displays that engage the widest range of audiences with the art and ideas of the Victorian and Edwardian era. They will also work closely with WGT’s fine and decorative art collection, ensuring its ongoing care, development, display and interpretation. Working within the team, they will play a central part in the development of digital interventions to increase global access to the work of George Frederic and Mary Watts.
ABOUT WATTS GALLERY – ARTISTS’ VILLAGE
Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, located in Compton, near Guildford, in the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1904, Watts Gallery Trust explores the art and ideas of George Frederic Watts (1817-904) and Mary Watts (1849-1938), who established a studio-home, here in the 1890s. Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village encompasses a unique group of Arts & Crafts buildings: Watts Gallery, Watts Studios, Compton Cemetery Chapel and the Pottery Buildings.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Collections, Exhibitions & Displays
- Working with the Curatorial Team and external partners, research, develop and deliver a programme of high-profile exhibitions on nineteenth- and early twentieth-century British art.
- Work with the Curatorial Team to enhance the research, interpretation and display of WGT’s collections across the Artists’ Village, to engage audiences, meet our diversity, inclusion and access goals and to ensure its ongoing relevance for the widest possible audiences.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of digital initiatives to enhance access to Watts Gallery Trust’s collections, both on-site and online.
- Project manage the planning, documentation and delivery of exhibition and display projects including co-ordination of project budgets as required.
- Contribute to the development of funding applications for the benefit of the collections as required.
- Respond to public enquiries.
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
- Line-management responsibility.
- Occasional lead on collection-based volunteer and student placements as required.
- Working with the Curatorial Team, provide collections and exhibitions training for staff and volunteers.
Carry out other related work as required by the Brice Chief Curator or Director.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Skills & Experience
Essential:
- At least 3 years curatorial and collections experience, working in a museum or gallery environment
- Proven experience of working with collections, object handling, managing loans procedures and collection documentation
- Experience of using Axiell, Adlib or other collections management database
- Substantial public engagement and presentation experience
Desirable:
- Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering exhibitions and displays in a museum or gallery
- Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering digital collection resources
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential:
- Post-graduate degree in History of Art, History, English or equivalent
- Experience of working to Museum Accreditation Spectrum 5.0 standards
Desirable:
- A specialist knowledge in nineteenth and early twentieth-century British art, history and visual culture
- Publication and presentation history
Personal Attributes
- 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 communication skills which include written and verbal presentation for a wide range of audiences and media
- Highly competent IT user (MS Office)
- Proven ability to effectively train, coach and supervise staff and volunteers
- Demonstrable ability to line-manage staff and volunteers
- Adaptable and flexible
- Highly proactive and self-motivated
RECRUITMENT TIMELINE
To apply, please complete the following two forms (downloadable at our website) and submit your application via email via the button below.
- Watts Gallery Application Form
- Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form
Deadline for applications: 6pm Friday 13 November 2020.
First round interviews will take place virtually on Thursday 26 November 2020. Second round interviews may be held Thursday 3 December 2020.
