Assistant Curator (Logistics & Artist Liaison)
Fixed-term contract to 30 November 2023
Hello, and thank you for your interest in the role of Assistant Curator (Logistics & Artist Liaison) at Liverpool Biennial. Please find below further details about the job, along with some details about Liverpool Biennial and what it is like to work with us.
The Assistant Curator (Logistics & Artist Liaison) will work within the Programme team. The role will be offered on a fixed-term contract until 30 November 2023 at a salary of between £22,954 – £24,184, depending on experience. The job will be based in the Biennial Head Office in New Bird Street, with the option to work from home on occasion, with prior agreement of your line manager.
We are a small team who work closely together with our Guest Curator for the 2023 edition, Khanyisile Mbongwa, other Biennial departments and our partners across the city. This role will support and work across all elements of our programmes, with a focus on logistics & artist liaison, as we build up to the opening of and throughout our 12th edition (June – Sept 2023).
Diversity and inclusion are core values at Liverpool Biennial. We welcome applications from all sectors of the community, including applications from people of colour, Black, Asian and minority non-white groups, Indigenous people, Disabled people, people who identify as being LGBTQIA+ and others of any age who demonstrate the ability to contribute to our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.
We are happy to try and make the application process easier for you if you have any particular access requirements, so if you need to have these details in a different format, please do email me at jade@biennial.com and I will discuss your needs confidentially, and try and find the best way for you to apply.
Thank you for your interest in this role. On the following pages you can find out more about the Biennial and the work that we do, the support the Biennial offers its employees, and the job description for Assistant Curator (Logistics & Artist Liaison). If you are interested in the role, then the details of how to apply are also included. The team and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
JOB DESCRIPTION – ASSISTANT CURATOR (LOGISTICS & ARTIST LIAISON)
Reports to: Head of Programme
Responsible for: Interns and Volunteers
Department: Programme
Salary: Band 4 (£22,954 – £24,184) depending on experience / qualifications
Contract: Full-time, Fixed Term until 30 November 2023
Deadline: Midnight 15 January 2023
About Liverpool Biennial
Since its inception in 1998, the Biennial has become renowned in the international contemporary art world, bringing together different voices and artistic practices from across the world. Taking place every two years, Liverpool Biennial activates public institutions, historical sites and extraordinary locations across Liverpool, delivering exhibitions and major commissions in the public realm. Each edition is underpinned by a year-round programme of research, education, residencies, projects and commissions. Having commissioned over 340 new artworks and presented work by over 480 celebrated artists from around the world, Liverpool Biennial is built on a longstanding commitment to connecting international artists with local practitioners, communities and the public at large.
About the Programme Team
The Programme Team is made up of Programme, Learning and Front of House colleagues who work collaboratively to produce ambitious, innovative projects including the Biennial festival, year-round public realm commissions, publications and a public programme of talks, workshops, performances and events.
We are a small team who work closely together with our Guest Curator for Liverpool Biennial 2023, Khanyisile Mbongwa, and with other departments and partners across the city.
About the role
The Assistant Curator (Logistics and Artist Liaison) is a key staff member at the Biennial and supports the Programme Team in all aspects of planning and delivery for Liverpool Biennial 2023, including (but not limited to) artist liaison, shipping, publications and delivery of the overall exhibition and events programme. We are looking for somebody with excellent organisational and administrative skills to offer logistical and coordination support to the programme team and artists during the development and delivery of our 12th festival edition (June – Sept 2023).
Main Duties
Artist Liaison
- Arrange all artist travel, accommodation, per diems and visas for research trips, site visits, installation, and launch
- Create bespoke schedules and welcome packs for artist visits including booking meetings, visits and meals in advance and liaising with key team members on availability
- In person hosting of artists when they are in Liverpool, including being the main point of contact for any questions or needs
- Supporting the Marketing Team by drafting, collating and copy-editing artist and project information for announcements, website, press packs, interpretation, and Guide
Shipping
- Lead on the organisation of all international and national artwork shipments for Liverpool Biennial 2023
- Feed into installation planning and communicate shipment dates and deadlines with artists
- Be main point of contact with shipping agents and contractors, and provide up to date information on artwork locations, dimensions, values and packaging, as well as any pick up / drop off location procedures
- Mediate communications between shipping agents, artists, galleries and pick up / drop off locations to ensure smooth exchange of up-to-date information
- Keep Programme Team, specifically the Head of Programme and Production Manager, up to date with regular reports on shipment progress
- Organise appropriate packaging and crating in consultation with the artists
- Prioritise sustainability in consultation with shipping agents including organising consolidated shipments, exploring alternative methods of shipping, and sustainable or recyclable materials for packaging
- Work with Head of Programme to ensure all shipping costs are best value for money and budget logs are kept up to date
- File, track and share condition check reports for all artworks
- Support the Head of Programme on procuring appropriate levels of Exhibition & Transit Insurance by providing regular updates and information
- Research and remain knowledgeable of current customs law and taxation for international imports and exports
Publication
- Support the Curator on the coordination of all aspects of the Liverpool Biennial 2023 publication
- Liaise with and contract invited writers and contributors to request and agree contributions, including sharing of written briefs, clear deadlines and negotiating fees
- Arrange licensing for image and text use where necessary
- Copyedit, or arrange for copyediting, of the finished text
- Ensure realistic scheduling with clear deadlines is communicated to contributors, suppliers, stakeholders and internally
- Monitor and maintain budget for the publication efficiently and in a timely fashion. This includes obtaining estimates, following procurement procedures, raising purchase orders, processing invoices, maintaining digital budget files, and providing regular reports to the Head of Programme
- Liaise with the Marketing Team and designer to support with the design, print and distribution processes where possible
Finance and Administration
- Be responsible for monthly reconciliation of the Programme budget including monthly forecasting and credit card reconciliation, liaising with Finance Team to answer any queries, and support Programme team with updating and maintaining exhibitions budget
- Convene, attend and record meetings as required
- Support the Programme and Learning teams in drawing up contracts for freelancers and suppliers
- Provide operational support to the wider Programme team
- Liaise with all Biennial departments to secure a smooth flow of information
- Draft and update project schedules and planning documents to help ensure deadlines are realistically set, clearly communicated and projects are delivered in good time
- Prepare and update checklists, timelines and project planning or tracking documents
Miscellaneous
- Manage interns, volunteers and supervise departmental work placements
- Attend training and professional development opportunities as required
- Work within the context of Liverpool Biennial’s Equality and Diversity policy, Code of Conduct, Sustainability policy and other policies in delivery of internal and external service and treatment of employees alongside all other Company policies
- Represent the Biennial at public events, meetings and networking events on behalf of the organisation, giving tours or talks where necessary.
- Work occasional evenings and weekends as necessary, taking this as Time Off in Lieu (to be agreed in advance with the Head of Programme).
- Any other duties which may be from time to time allocated, commensurate with the nature and responsibility level of the post
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
- Minimum 3 years in arts or events role, or similar
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Evidence of coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple conversations and projects simultaneously
- Adept in Microsoft Excel and/or other project management software
- Demonstrable project management experience
- Experience of budget management
- Proven ability to operate to tight and/or changing deadlines
- Ability to thrive within a team environment
- Demonstrable experience of working with a diverse range of artists, contractors, and individuals
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
- Commitment to environmental sustainability
Desirable:
- Working in an international environment
- Understanding of international travel and customs regulations, including UK visa procedures
- Knowledge of Liverpool City Region, and Liverpool Biennial
- Proven writing and editorial experience
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Location: Full-time office working at Liverpool Biennial office, 55 New Bird Street,
Liverpool, L1 0BW, with opportunity for occasional home working, depending on prior agreement of line manager.
Contract: Fixed term to 30 November 2023 (subject to completion of three-month probationary period)
Salary: £22,954 – £24,184, depending upon experience
Hours: Full-time 37.5 hours per week
Holidays: 27.5 days from 1 February – 30 November, inclusive of public holidays. (dependent on agreed start date)
Notice: One Month
Additional Benefits: Employee Assistance Programme, Bike 2 Work scheme
Photo: Ugo Rondinone, Liverpool Mountain, 2018. Photo by Ant Clausenf