Senior Curator

UP Projects curates, commission and produces contemporary art that explores heritage, identity and place; engaging citizens of London, the UK and across the globe. We believe in the power of art to transform communities and enrich the wider public realm. We enable artists to make bold interventions that extend their practice, challenge convention, make space for discussion and present the unexpected. We collaborate with partners to explore new territories, re-framing the familiar and shaping the future.

Commissioning Artists – Transforming communities – Enriching places – Inspiring partnerships

UP Projects is a non-profit public art commissioning agency that runs an independent curatorial programme of projects and commissions in the public realm as well as delivering cultural strategies, commissions and events for a range of public and private sector clients.

UP Projects was established in 2002 by Emma Underhill (Director Curator) and operates from a shared office in Shoreditch, London. UP Projects is a registered company Ltd by guarantee and governed by a Management Committee comprising five non-executive committee members.

www.upprojects.com

SENIOR CURATOR ROLE

We are seeking an exceptional individual who will play a major role in shaping and delivering UP Projects’ creative programme, as well as forming a vital part of the organisation’s small senior management team. Working at a strategic level, both for the organisation itself and on the behalf of its clients and partners, this full time role is demanding, challenging and offers the successful candidate an opportunity to initiate, manage and deliver ambitious, high profile projects and artists’ commissions in the public realm; develop, write and deliver public art strategies; and provide leadership and management to the organisation’s curatorial team.

Main Responsibilities of Post:

1. Creative Programme Development

Working closely with the Director, Head of Development and the curatorial team, you will shape the creative direction of the organisation’s programme, ensuring the organisation’s established reputation for delivering high quality, ambitious and ground breaking projects in the public realm is maintained;

• defining the future programme vision

• developing strategic projects

• developing strategic programme partnerships, including funding partnerships

• contributing to the creative direction of the organisation’s future business plan

2. Line management of the curatorial team

Providing leadership and line management to the curatorial team comprising a full time Education and Participation Curator, a full time Project Producer and a part time freelance Marketing Coordinator including;

• Regular one to one meetings

• Six monthly appraisals following UP Project’s established appraisal system

3. Curation and Project management of Public Realm commissions

Whether developing self-initiated projects as part of the organisation’s core programme, or working on behalf of our clients and partners, you will curate and manage the delivery of exceptional public realm commissions working with a range of high profile and emerging artists to include;

• Developing curatorial concepts

• Writing artists briefs

• Writing artists contracts

• Project planning

• Client/Stakeholder liaison

• Managing freelance consultants or project managers associated with project delivery

• Project development and management of artists commissions (coordinating and liaising with artists, technicians, fabricators, project stakeholders and clients)

• Timeframe and key milestone planning

• Responsibility for health and safety relating to programme delivery including writing risk assessments and method statements, negotiation of licenses and permissions

• Defining relevant evaluation frameworks

• Budget management

• Management of installation/maintenance/de-installation of artist’s commissions

• Management of launch events including giving introductory speeches where relevant

• Writing interpretation texts and marketing materials in consultation with clients and project stakeholders

• Developing/coordinating education and community engagement and consultation activities where appropriate (working closely with the Education and Participation Curator)

• Compiling and writing evaluation documents

4. Cultural Strategy development

Developing and writing Culture and Place Making strategies in collaboration with UP Projects Director and team for a range of clients including developers and local authorities;

• Research and scoping

• Strategic brainstorming

• Defining the artistic vision for the strategy

• Client liaison and consultation

• Managing community consultation process when necessary

• Developing strategic frameworks

• Writing strategy reports

• Managing design and delivery of strategic reports

5. Press and Marketing

Working in close consultation with the Director and Project Producer, you will support the delivery of the organisation’s marketing strategy ensuring that the profile of the organisation is raised as well as successfully promoting each individual programme project including;

• Cross-programme marketing strategy

• Managing PR & marketing agencies, freelance photographers and filmmakers where relevant

• Ensuring relevant marketing data is recorded and reported on to support future income generation

• Regularly contributing to the organisation’s social media output

• Liaising with journalists and providing interviews and quotes where relevant

6. General

• Preparing reports for funders and board

• Contributing significantly to funding bids, new business pitches and proposals

• Following the organisation’s finance processes including budget management and invoice processing

• Representing UP Projects at relevant conferences and symposia and presenting on the organisation’s portfolio of projects

• Generally promoting UP Projects’ programme and services through networking

• Responding to public or press enquiries both in person or by telephone in a generous and courteous manner.

• Representing UP Projects at events (private views, networking events)

• Carrying out other duties as may be requested by the Director

7. UP Projects as a learning organisation

• Contributing towards the development of a professional working and learning environment within the organisation

• Keeping abreast of, and sharing internally, the latest developments in contemporary art practice and critical thinking in relation to art in the public realm

• Sharing internally the insights and learning gained from your work

• Contributing to developing a collaborative style of working

• Awareness of and acting within the guidelines laid out in the organisation’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity and Environmental policies.

• Awareness of UP Projects’ values and to work with artists, partners and audiences in their spirit.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

You will be a creative and inspirational individual, possessing substantial experience in curating and delivering artist-led projects and commissions in the public realm. You will also have the diplomacy and management skills required to ensure the smooth running of UP Projects’ curatorial team. You will have the vision and confidence to develop an innovative programme that is sympathetic to the organisation’s core values.

Experience and Knowledge

• Excellent knowledge of and keen interest in contemporary art

• Minimum of three years’ experience in curating and delivering outreach projects or work in the public realm

• Demonstrable experience of successfully working with private sector clients eg developers

• Demonstrable experience in cultural strategy development and writing

• Demonstrable experience in managing large budgets

• Line Management experience

Skills

• Excellent project planning and management skills

• Ability to deliver complex projects, motivating and leading teams

• Flexible, creative and innovative approach to work

• Excellent interpersonal skills including tact and diplomacy

• Ability to build and manage productive working relationships with colleagues, external partners and individuals

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills

• Ability to work to tight deadlines and maintain a calm, ordered approach

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as required

Attitudes

• Passionate advocate for the arts

• Commitment to keeping abreast of current contemporary art trends and critical thinking

• Dedicated and responsible attitude towards work and targets

• Focused and methodical approach to work and excellent attention to detail

• Willing to share knowledge and support learning across the team

Employment Terms

• The Senior Curator will report to the Director

• The role is full time, five days a week position

• salary : £30-35,000 depending on experience

• 25 days holiday per annum not including bank holidays

• Probationary period of 6 months

• Notice 2 months (1month during probationary period)

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining why you are interested in the position, and how your experience and skills fit the job description by email to Emma Underhill emma@upprojects.com by 14^th November 2015.

Contact

Emma Underhill Director
UP Projects 19 Links Yard
29a Spelman Street London E1 5LX
02073779677

emma@upprojects.com
www.upprojects.com