The Dorset Curatorial Fellow (Modern Paintings and Modern & Contemporary Projects)
Organisation: National Gallery
Location: London, UK
Application Deadline: 15 June 2026
Salary: £38,133 per annum
Contractual Hours: 35 hours per week
Basis: Full Time
Contract: 22-month fixed-term contract
Package: Civil Service Pension, Hybrid Working, Generous Holiday
Category: Collections and Research
Date Posted: 15 May 2026
Job Purpose
During this 22-month traineeship, the Curatorial Fellow will gain professional experience and knowledge of the responsibilities of curatorship in a national collection.
The Dorset Curatorial Fellow will gain professional experience and knowledge through involvement in a range of curatorial practices concerning the research and delivery of the National Gallery’s Modern & Contemporary Projects programme, Exhibitions, and the Gallery’s development of the painting collection into the 20th and 21st century.
Scope of Job
- Reporting to the Associate Curator for Modern & Contemporary Projects, the Curatorial Fellow will assist in the research, development, delivery, and interpretation of projects within the Gallery as follows:
- Provide support to the Curators and Associate Curators of Post-1800, Modern Paintings, and Modern & Contemporary Projects
- Part of their time will be dedicated to their responsibility for assisting with the Residency and awards programme, including the management of their juries, and acting as central liaison for artists in post
- Receive training in and assist with researching and curating exhibitions and commissions, with the curatorial delivery of public programmes, with liaising with contemporary artists, dealing with public enquiries and with the internal communication of information about Modern and Contemporary Projects
- Receive training in the care, display, research, and interpretation of the collection, in dealing with acquisitions, loans, rehangs and redisplays
- Receive training in curating exhibitions, the delivery of public programmes, dealing with public enquiries and ensuring collection information is up to date
- Assist with a range of essential museum functions such as art handling, framing, conservation, scientific research, communications, exhibitions and education as well as working with national and international partners
- Act as a Gallery courier, accompanying paintings within the UK and abroad
- May be asked to assist with exhibition projects in different ways and at different points between evolution and conception (depending on timings, they may not see the project through to public opening)
Key Deliverables
- The postholder will focus on the research, delivery and communication of Modern & Contemporary Projects and the research and interpretation of Modern paintings in the collection. They will collaborate with Curatorial colleagues, resident artists and other stakeholders on displays across the Gallery.
- The postholder will assist in delivering the public programme, collaborating with the Research, Exhibitions, Learning, Digital and other departments
- Assist in developing initiatives on which the Curatorial department is leading
Key Relationships
- The postholder will work collaboratively within the Collections directorate which includes Curatorial, Conservation, Scientific, Registrars, Framing, and Art Handling
- They will also collaborate with the Exhibitions, Digital, Learning, Development, and other departments
- They will also liaise with national and international colleagues in the sector
Key Required Skills
- Demonstrable experience in independent critical and historical reflection of Modern and Contemporary art, as evidenced through publications or a post-graduate degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies or another relevant subject.
- Knowledge of artistic practice of the 20th and 21st Centuries with an understanding of different artistic production needs.
- Relevant experience in project development and delivery with practicing artists and their studios.
- Fluency in English and a proven working knowledge of at least one other language.
- Ability to write concisely and accurately in English, with an awareness of the needs of both specialist and general audiences.
- Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.
- Competent public speaker.
- Broad IT skills.
Key Required Attributes
- Interest in how the Gallery communicates the results of its research to a broad public, using digital and other media
- Diplomatic and sensitive in dealing with a wide range of people from the general public to lenders, owners and dealers
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as a team player
- Demonstrable interest in curatorial work and in the history of the National Gallery
- Demonstrate personal accountability to work effectively to tight deadlines and finish off work to the highest of standard; show an innate integrity to use one’s time to best advantage to further the Gallery’s objectives
- Desire to promote fruitful discussions around diversity and inclusion in terms of gender, race, religion through chosen research projects within and beyond the Gallery
