The Design Museum
Salary: Up to £23,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Location: London
Level: NA
Deadline: 13/11/2022 23:59
Hours: 37.5
Benefits: Attractive benefits
Job Type: Permanent
Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an organised and self-motivated Assistant Curator who is passionate and knowledgeable about design to join the Curatorial team. The successful candidate will play a key role assisting the curators to research and deliver exhibitions at the museum. These will include monographic and thematic shows on every aspect of contemporary design and architecture.
The role will suit an individual with a good knowledge of design and or design history, experience researching and developing projects collaboratively and, assisting with the curation of exhibitions.
Job scope
This role will involve assisting the curators with selected major exhibitions and taking the lead on smaller displays. The role requires research skills and the ability to negotiate and co-ordinate loans, liaise with key stakeholders within the museum and externally, maintain exhibition records and files, and assist with the creation of interpretative material including label text and publications. The role combines curatorial and administrative support. They report to a Curator.
Job description
Curatorial research and development
- Research, develop and manage exhibition content, working under the direction and support of the Curator.
- Assist the Curator with compiling and maintaining object lists for exhibitions and displays.
- Visitor engagement: drafting/editing of exhibition interpretation, from labels to catalogue text.
- Research and deliver small displays at the museum.
- Update project documentation, ensuring that all relevant updates are accessible for all members of the team.
Loan research and administration
- Follow up approaches to exhibitors and lenders.
- Co-ordinate the administration of Loan Agreements and Condition Reports with the Curator and other members of the Exhibitions team.
General support to Curator
- Act as liaison when the Curator is not present/available.
- Liaise with the exhibition design teams as necessary.
- Co-ordinate the work of any volunteer(s) working on the project, supporting them and treating them as integral members of the museum and curatorial team.
- Take part in cross departmental meetings relating to the project and other exhibition-related matters, acting as administrator, such as organising, minute taking and action points.
- Respond to general requests and enquiries.
Person specification
Knowledge, skills, and experience
Essential
- A degree or equivalent qualification.
- Excellent research and presentation skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively and confidently, both in writing and verbally, with colleagues and external contacts.
- Previous experience of working within a museum/gallery environment.
- Demonstrable skills in project management and planning work to meet agreed standards, deadlines, and budgets.
- Ability to compile and organise large amounts of complex information.
Desirable
- A relevant degree in design, art history or equivalent professional experience.
- Experience of developing and delivering heritage interpretation that effectively engages visitors.
- Experience of assisting with the curation of exhibitions.
- Experience of working to high standards of object handling in a gallery or museum environment.
- Visual design skills and/or experience of collaborating with designers.
- Experience of writing or editing text for publication.
Terms and conditions
Salary: up to £23,000 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: Sunday 13 November 2022, at midnight
Interviews: Monday 21 November 2022
