Organisation: Serpentine
Location: London, United Kingdom
Contract: Permanent, part-time
Hours: Three days per week; Wednesday and Thursday are core days
Salary: £19,282 per year, pro rata (£32,136 full-time equivalent)
Working model: Hybrid
Application deadline: 31 August 2026, midnight
Interview date: 16 September 2026
About the position
Serpentine is seeking a creative, collaborative and critically engaged Assistant Curator, Education to join its Education Team.
Working alongside the Education Curator, the successful candidate will develop and deliver artists’ residencies, commissions, workshops, events and resources that support Serpentine’s aim to connect artists and audiences by bringing art into everyday life.
The role requires experience of and enthusiasm for working with children, young people and families, particularly through co-production processes. Candidates should also demonstrate an understanding of contemporary art practice and strong administrative and organisational skills.
The Assistant Curator forms part of the wider Programmes Team, which works collaboratively to ensure the smooth running of the Galleries and promote Serpentine as a leading international organisation for modern and contemporary art.
Key responsibilities
The Assistant Curator, Education will:
- Deliver on-site, in-school and community-based creative workshops and artist commissions alongside the Education Curator and commissioned artists
- Deliver initiatives that support audience development and widen access to the Gallery
- Develop and support co-creation processes involving artists, children, families and young people
- Maintain positive relationships with children, young people, families, parents and carers, educators, universities and community partners
- Book venues, source materials and equipment, and prepare workshop spaces
- Support the co-production of publications, toolkits, resources and activity packs
- Conduct research into artists, schools and community issues
- Provide pastoral care and hospitality for projects and workshops
- Prepare risk assessments and ensure compliance with Serpentine’s safeguarding and health and safety policies
- Keep up to date with best practice in arts education and social practice through training and research
Administration and evaluation
The successful candidate will:
- Maintain accurate data relating to Education programmes
- Support evaluation processes involving educators, children, families and young people
- Analyse evaluation findings and contribute to internal and external reports
- Develop and maintain programme schedules and diaries
- Proofread texts and liaise with freelance editors, copy-editors and designers
- Maintain programme budgets and coordinate invoices for artists and freelance contractors
- Manage departmental petty cash and credit card expenses
Communications
The Assistant Curator will:
- Maintain and develop Serpentine’s database of Education stakeholders
- Write programme copy for different audiences and purposes
- Coordinate Education content for Serpentine’s website and social media in collaboration with the Audiences Team
Person specification
Applicants should have:
- At least three years of relevant experience working with children or young people under 18 in a cultural, educational or community-based setting
- Knowledge of research and innovation surrounding co-production
- Experience developing co-production processes
- Strong knowledge of modern and contemporary art, including social practice
- An empathetic understanding of the pressures facing children, young people and educators in London
- An interest in anti-racist, anti-ableist and trauma-informed practice
- Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to work flexibly and collaboratively
- Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends
Desirable experience
- Developing publications and resources for children, young people or educators
- Working with anti-racist, anti-ableist or trauma-informed practices
- An interest in embodied creative practices
Working arrangements
The role is based on three working days per week, with Wednesday and Thursday designated as core days. Serpentine’s normal office hours are 10 am–6 pm, Monday to Friday, although occasional work outside these hours may be required.
Serpentine operates a hybrid model in which full-time employees attend the office three days per week and may work remotely for two days. The arrangements for this part-time position should be confirmed with the organisation.
The appointment is permanent and subject to a three-month probationary period.
Benefits
Benefits include:
- Pro-rated annual leave based on 25 days per year, rising to 30 days after five years of service
- Pro-rated entitlement to eight annual bank holidays
- Auto-enrolment pension scheme
- Employee assistance programme following probation
- Season ticket loans
- Cycle2Work scheme
- Discounts on selected products, including Limited Editions
General duties
The Assistant Curator will champion Arts Council England’s Inclusivity and Relevance Investment Principle and support proactive approaches to equality, diversity and inclusion.
They will follow and assist with the implementation of Serpentine policies, including its Dignity at Work and Health and Safety policies, while undertaking other activities necessary to support the Programmes Team and its strategic objectives.
