The Design Museum’s temporary exhibitions programme is the central focus of its activities. The exhibitions include monographs and thematic exhibitions on every aspect of contemporary design and architecture.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a self-motivated Senior Curator who is passionate and knowledgeable about design to join the Curatorial team. The successful candidate will be experienced when it comes to delivering exhibitions to a broad audience, brimming with realisable ideas for the future exhibition programme, and capable of harnessing their knowledge of design to research and deliver compelling exhibitions. They will also have experience of line managing and mentoring others and implementing good museum practice.
This role will suit an individual with a good working knowledge of design history, connections within the design industry and experience researching and developing projects collaboratively.
The role combines practical curatorial skills and the ability to build partnerships with the opportunity to take personal initiative and develop a curatorial voice.
Job scope
The role will involve taking responsibility for developing and delivering excellent exhibitions that inspire our audiences. It will also involve being an active member of the curatorial team. The senior curator will develop the exhibition content, generate a narrative, formulate an object list and work with the exhibitions team to deliver the exhibition according to a timeline.
The role includes developing atrium or partnership displays, developing pre-existing exhibition ideas, and generating new exhibition concepts that fit with the museum’s curatorial vision. Those concepts may be presented to key stakeholders at the museum and upon approval, be developed in to a fully worked exhibition. The role also involves being responsible for the delivery of assigned projects and displays by inspiring and supporting the work of others.
The role will oversee the Interpretation strategy at the museum. The role reports to the Head of Curatorial and Interpretation and will have line management responsibilities for curators, including a Displays Curator, a Curator, and an Interpretation Editor.
Job description
Curatorial
• Generate ideas for exhibitions that fit with the museum’s mission and objectives.
• Develop exhibition content including a concept and object list.
• Source objects/exhibits for the exhibition from other institutions and galleries as necessary.
• Lead on the curation of the exhibition including key exhibition components such as the narrative, interpretation plan, viable loans, object lists, captions and labels and sourcing objects.
• Write engaging exhibition text that aligns with the interpretation plan.
• Work with the Learning team to finalise the learning and public programmes toolkit relating to the exhibition.
• Undertake picture research and copyright clearance.
• Oversee and support the Interpretation Editor and the department’s Touring commitments, reporting to the Head of Curatorial.
• Oversee and support a Curator or Assistant Curator’s work on any assigned displays or partnership projects, from concept to delivery.
• Work with the Curatorial team, Head of Touring Exhibitions and Head of Marketing and Communications to improve existing marketing materials and develop new ones as required.
Exhibition project management and administration
• Work closely with the Exhibition Project Manager and, if appropriate, exhibition designers to ensure the smooth and timely delivery of the exhibition as an integral member of a team.
• Make approaches to exhibitors and lenders and work with members of the Exhibitions team to ensure Loan Agreements are secured.
• Complete project documentation such as narrative, object list and design documents, ensuring that all relevant updates are accessible for all members of the team.
• Participate in cross-departmental meetings relating to the project and other departmental matters and report to senior staff.
• Attend and participate in relevant meetings on the project and deliver progress reports as required.
• Consider the touring version of the exhibition, liaise with the Head of Touring as required and help provide curatorial information for potential tour venues.
• Communicate the financial implications of the exhibition such as complex loans and potential transport challenges to the Exhibition Project Manager.
People management
• Lead and inspire direct reports and the team to achieve the highest level of performance and develop their skills and talents to enable them to reach their full potential.
• Manage direct reports in accordance with the museum’s policies and procedures.
• Lead by example to demonstrate and embed the museum’s values within the team and the wider museum.
• Manage volunteers, treating them as integral members of the museum and curatorial team and be responsible for their induction, supervision, and timely review meetings.
Person specification
Essential
Knowledge
• A degree in design history, art history or related field, with a proven expertise in design, architecture, fashion, technology, or science
• Knowledge of contemporary design and ability to draw on an existing network within this sphere.
Experience
• Extensive experience of working in the museum sector or similar.
• Demonstrable experience of generating and delivering exhibitions.
• Experience of delivering successful visitor engagement in the context of exhibitions and displays.
• Experience of leading and inspiring a team and/or supporting the career development of others.
• Proven experience of working to international museum standards for loan requirements, transportation, packing, handling, and environmental requirements and negotiating loans and associated contracts.
• Previous experience of curating exhibitions for a general audience that attracted substantial visitor numbers.
• Experience of budgeting and monitoring procedures.
• Experience leading and mentoring others to deliver an organisation’s strategic objectives.
Skills
• An adept communicator, particularly with regards presenting curatorial content to stakeholders.
• Ability to generate ideas, particularly for exhibitions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence others and liaise effectively with colleagues and external contacts within a museum/gallery environment.
• Ability to develop the team to reach their full potential through appraisals, professional development, mentoring and feedback.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and retain good attention to detail.
• A mutually supportive and collaborative team working style.
Desirable
Knowledge
• A master’s degree in design history, art history or equivalent.
Experience
• Experience of developing and delivering interpretation that effectively engages visitors.
• Experience of working to high standards of object handling in a gallery or museum environment.
• Experience as an audience advocate, ensuring a museum’s exhibitions are aligned to their curatorial mission and values.
• Experience of marketing touring exhibitions.
• Knowledge of design software such as InDesign.
Terms and conditions
Salary: up to £35,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Holidays: 25 days per annum + Christmas eve (museum closed)
Hours: full-time, 37.5 hours/5 days per week
Location: the museum is trialling a part-remote working arrangement, where staff work 60% of their role at the museum and 40% remote
Closing date: 17 May 2022, midnight
