RWA (ROYAL WEST OF ENGLAND ACADEMY)
TERM Permanent
HOURS 4 days per week + additional hours during exhibition changeover periods
LOCATION RWA, Queen’s Road, Bristol, BS8 1PX
SALARY £23,000prorata
RESPONSIBLE TO Head of Programme – Curator of Exhibitions
Summary of the role
The Assistant Curator works with the Head of Programme – Curator of Exhibitions on the delivery of the RWA’s exhibition programme with specific responsibility for coordinating the Annual Open exhibition, medium-specific open call exhibitions and supporting RWA Academician exhibitions.
The Assistant Curator will also assist the Head of Programme in the administration, logistics and planning of curated exhibitions including; the organisation of transport, insurance and GIS administration, registrar duties and processing image rights and clearances for RWA publications, print and online material.
As a member of the Programme Team the Assistant Curator plays a crucial role in the delivery and success of the RWA’s exhibitions. You will work within a small and dedicated staff-base, on a number of projects concurrently, producing exhibitions of international standard in the RWA’s newly refurbished galleries.
MAIN DUTIES:
Open Exhibitions
- Co-ordinate Annual Open Exhibitions and biennial medium specific open submission exhibitions, including management of online submission system, related FOH training, budget management, planning timeline, coordinating selection days, results management, and cataloguing.
- Set-up and maintain submissions system and master database; collate information, troubleshoot, foresee issues and handle all correspondence with service provider.
- Manage communications to applicants, selectors and external parties, assist RWA President with prizes, selection panel invitations and invited artists.
- Manage all open exhibition logistics from transport and collections to scheduling, planning and overseeing install/de-install, monitoring daily progress.
- Produce exhibition interpretation, labels, printed catalogue and assist Marketing Team with online catalogue, web copy and promotional material.
- Handle sales enquiries and liaise with artists and buyers on postage.
Academician Exhibitions
- Liaise with Academicians to coordinate Kenny Gallery programme, in-line with Main Gallery programme, including Academician Candidates exhibitions and Private Views.
- Work with the Marketing Team to upload exhibitions to Shopify, RWA website and facebook pages.
- Collate and produce exhibition interpretation with exhibitors.
Assistant to Head of Programme
- Organise exhibition transports and associated correspondence with lenders and artists.
- Administer exhibition insurance and Government Indemnity Scheme applications.
- Clear image copyright and reproduction right licenses for catalogue and marketing purposes.
- Prepare exhibition paperwork e.g. loan requests, contracts, condition reports, entry/exit forms.
- Proof exhibition texts and prepare exhibition labels.
- Assist with the preparation of installation schedules, coordination of exhibition changeovers and staff briefings.
- Take minutes at quarterly Exhibitions Committee meetings and compile and circulate Exhibition Reports.
- Assist with environmental monitoring; taking Lux readings and preparing climate charts on EMS.
- Carry out other tasks as may reasonably be required by the Head of Programme.
General
- Book travel and accommodation for couriers, selectors, speakers and artists
- Book and manage freelance technicians and volunteers as demanded by the programme of activities related to this post.
Terms and conditions of appointment
The post is subject to a probation period of six months.
The post holder will be required (as are all other members of staff) to work occasional evenings, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays and will be expected to attend Private Views and of hours events where required.
The postholder will need to be based at the RWA, although some blended home/office working will be considered. The appointment is subject to two satisfactory references.
The postholder is entitled to 36 days paid holiday pro rata (i.e. 28.8 days) in each holiday year, including 8 public holidays. There will be some restriction on the taking of annual leave, and the post holder is expected to negotiate leave well in advance during certain peak periods.
Positive recruitment for diversity
RWA recognises that each of us bring our experiences, our backgrounds and our own unique perspective to what we do. You may not have worked in a cultural organisation before but perhaps you have relevant experience in a different setting? We believe our work will be stronger with greater diversity and welcome applications from those who bring balance to our team.
We therefore welcome applications from people with characteristics currently under-represented on our staff team and will offer an interview to those who meet all the Essential Criteria in the Person Specification and are global majority or mixed heritage; identify as non-binary, trans and/or LGBTQ+; have a recognised disability, or are neurodiverse. If you qualify for priority interview arrangements please state this in your cover letter.
APPLICATIONS
Please submit CV and covering letter to Nathalie.Levi@rwa.org.uk or contact for an informal discussion about the role.
CLOSING DATE 6 March (midnight)
INTERVIEWS w/c 21 March in-person, circumstances permitting.
Zoom interviews possible by prior arrangement.
Unfortunately we are unable to respond to each application individually. If you have not heard from us by 18 March please assume you were not successful this time.
Visit our website for further details or please click here for the full job description and person specification
