Collections Curator at the Bethlem Gallery

Location: Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham, London, UK, with work across other hospital and community sites in southeast London
Contract: Fixed-term for up to 15 months
Hours: Part-time, 30 hours across four days per week, Tuesday–Friday; some evenings and one Saturday per month
Salary: £35,000 FTE
Start date: As soon as possible and no later than January 2027
Application deadline: 12 October 2026, 09:00
Interviews: Week commencing 2 November 2026

Bethlem Gallery is seeking an organised, inclusive and collaborative Collections Curator to manage its collection and co-curate displays across hospital and community spaces in southeast London.

Funded by Arts Council England, the position will lead a 15-month project intended to place approximately 150 works from the Gallery’s 200-work collection on long-term display.

About the Role

Working closely with the Gallery Director and wider team, the Collections Curator will combine collections management, project delivery and participatory curatorial practice.

The successful candidate will work with service users, NHS staff, carers and local communities to develop and interpret collection displays. They will also ensure that artworks are documented, conserved, transported and installed according to appropriate professional standards.

Responsibilities

Collections Management

The Collections Curator will:

• Manage artworks in storage, on display and on loan;
• Maintain accurate records using the eHive collections management system;
• Ensure documentation meets Spectrum standards;
• Manage loan agreements, policies and collections procedures;
• Implement preventive conservation procedures;
• Support the Gallery’s work towards museum accreditation; and
• Facilitate meetings of the collections advisory board where required.

Displays and Interpretation

The role will involve:

• Working with service users, staff, carers and community members to co-curate displays;
• Planning and delivering collection displays across hospital and community sites;
• Managing transportation, framing and installation;
• Working with technicians and venue staff to meet conservation and health and safety requirements;
• Completing condition checks and loan documentation;
• Documenting completed displays; and
• Producing content for the Gallery’s website, eHive and social media.

Project Management

The Collections Curator will also:

• Manage project schedules and budgets;
• Liaise with stakeholders across healthcare, cultural and community settings;
• Monitor and improve the project’s environmental sustainability;
• Contribute to evaluation using the Creative Health Quality Framework and Bethlem Gallery’s Theory of Change;
• Complete project and funder reports;
• Support Bethlem Gallery’s artists and learn about their practices;
• Contribute to visitor experience and gallery operations when required; and
• promote inclusive and accessible practice throughout the organisation.

Requirements

Applicants should have:

• At least three years of experience working as a curator, collections officer or in a comparable role;
• Experience curating exhibitions and managing installations;
• Artwork-handling experience;
• Experience documenting collections and using databases such as eHive, Modes or Adlib;
• Experience delivering co-curated or participatory projects with different communities;
• Experience managing budgets;
• Experience working in mental health or a comparable setting;
• Experience working with people with varied access requirements;
• Knowledge of Spectrum collections management procedures;
• An understanding of preventive conservation;
• Knowledge of the museum, visual arts, arts and health sectors;
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal and IT skills;
• The ability to advocate for artists and artistic practice;
• A calm, kind, collaborative and efficient approach; and
• The flexibility to work occasional evenings and Saturdays.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the UK and will be required to provide satisfactory references and complete a DBS check.

Benefits

Bethlem Gallery offers:

• A 5% employer pension contribution;
• 25 days of annual leave FTE, plus bank holidays;
• Flexible working hours where reasonably possible;
• Monthly team reflective-practice sessions;
• Access to NHS and cultural-sector training opportunities; and
• Time off in lieu for additional evening and Saturday work.

About Bethlem Gallery

Founded in 1997, Bethlem Gallery is a visual arts organisation based at Bethlem Royal Hospital and working across southeast London and the UK.

The Gallery supports the professional development and socially engaged practices of artists, many of whom have experience of mental health services. Its programme includes exhibitions, commissions, participatory activities and collaborations with cultural and healthcare organisations.

The Bethlem Gallery Collection comprises approximately 200 artworks by artists with experience of mental health services. Developed as a working collection, it aims to improve hospital environments, showcase artists’ work and encourage conversations about art and mental health.

Photo: Installation of collection works in Bethlem Gallery’s studio. Main works by Eddie. Photo by Ben McDade.