Director at Camden Art Centre

Organisation: Camden Art Centre
Location: London, United Kingdom
Salary: £80,000–£90,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Working hours: Monday–Friday, 10am–6pm, with occasional evening and weekend work
Application deadline: 8 November 2026, 12pm (noon)

Camden Art Centre is seeking an inspirational and inclusive Director to lead the organisation into its next chapter, following the departure of Martin Clark in January 2027.

This is an opportunity to lead an internationally recognised contemporary art institution with a strong commitment to artistic experimentation, education and community engagement.

The new Director will set the artistic vision for Camden Art Centre, overseeing its exhibitions, learning programmes, events and community projects, while leading the organisation’s strategic development, fundraising and financial sustainability.

A central priority will be supporting the delivery of a major building redevelopment project designed to improve facilities, expand income-generating activities and reduce the Centre’s environmental footprint.

About Camden Art Centre

Since 1965, Camden Art Centre has been a place for art and the people who make it.

Rooted in its local community and internationally acclaimed, the Centre supports artists and audiences through exhibitions, residencies, events and learning programmes.

Camden Art Centre has a longstanding commitment to championing overlooked and under-represented artists, presenting exhibitions by artists at different stages of their careers and providing opportunities for experimentation and artistic development.

The Centre is a registered charity governed by a Board of Trustees, with a team of approximately 25 staff members alongside Front of House staff, artists and freelancers.

Key Responsibilities

Artistic Vision and Strategic Leadership

• Set the artistic vision and strategic direction for Camden Art Centre.
• Lead the development and delivery of exhibitions, events, learning programmes, offsite projects and community initiatives.
• Work directly with artists and the programme team to initiate and develop exhibitions and other projects.
• Develop and implement the Centre’s strategic and business plans in collaboration with the Board of Trustees.
• Oversee educational programming and ensure continued engagement with diverse audiences and communities.

Fundraising and Financial Management

• Lead the Centre’s fundraising strategy, developing relationships with trusts, foundations, individuals and corporate supporters.
• Identify opportunities to diversify income and strengthen financial sustainability.
• Oversee financial planning, budgets and expenditure in collaboration with the Deputy Director.
• Lead a capital fundraising campaign to support the Centre’s building redevelopment and refurbishment project.

Organisational Leadership

• Lead and develop the Centre’s staff and senior management team.
• Foster a supportive, inclusive and collaborative working environment.
• Oversee staffing structures, recruitment and professional development.
• Ensure the organisation’s policies and practices support its mission and values.

Audience Development and External Relations

• Develop strategies to engage new audiences and strengthen the Centre’s public profile.
• Represent Camden Art Centre nationally and internationally.
• Maintain relationships with artists, partner institutions, funders, donors and other stakeholders.
• Oversee the Centre’s communications and public-facing materials.

Building Redevelopment

• Support and oversee the delivery of Camden Art Centre’s planned capital redevelopment project.
• Lead fundraising efforts to achieve the project’s financial targets.
• Ensure the redevelopment aligns with the Centre’s artistic vision, environmental commitments and long-term financial sustainability.

Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• A strong artistic vision and the ability to inspire audiences, colleagues and supporters about contemporary visual art.
• A track record of programming contemporary visual art and working directly with artists across different formats, including digital practices.
• Significant fundraising experience and an entrepreneurial approach to income generation.
• Strategic thinking, sound business-planning skills and experience in financial and risk management.
• An understanding of, or experience delivering, capital development projects.
• Experience developing and sustaining audiences for contemporary art through exhibitions, education and outreach.
• A strong commitment to educational activity, accessibility, diversity and equality of opportunity.
• Proven leadership skills and experience motivating and developing teams.
• The ability to build relationships with national and international artists, partners, donors and funders.
• A sophisticated understanding of inclusivity and cultural diversity.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.

Image: courtesy of Camden Art Centre.