Creative Folkestone Triennial seek new Curator
CREATIVE FOLKESTONE TRIENNIAL CURATOR 2024
Thank you for your interest in the above vacancy. We’re happy you’ve found us.
Details of the background and context to this role can be found in this pack.
How to apply:
Your completed application should include the following:
- An application form which includes a personal statement in written or recorded format
- Your up-to-date CV
- A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Questionnair
Once you have completed your application documents, please return them before the closing date to:
Lyn Maytum
Executive & Project Assistant
Creative Folkestone
Quarterhouse
Mill Bay
Folkestone
Kent CT20 1BN
Or alternatively, please email your completed application to: lynmaytum@creativefolkestone.org.uk
If you have any questions relating to this vacancy, please contact Lyn Maytum by email or phone 01303 760749 for an informal chat with Alastair Upton, Chief Executive, Creative Folkeston.
Deadline
Closing date for applications: Thursday 30 September 2021 at midnight
Interview process
Interviews will take place: week commending 18 October 2021
Start date
Dependent on successful candidates’ availability: TBC but near to January 2022
ABOUT CREATIVE FOLKESTONE
Creative Folkestone is dedicated to transforming Folkestone through creative activity to make it a better place to live, work, study and visit. We believe that everyone is creative and that creativity has the power to change people and places. We have developed five key projects that form the foundation of our work:
- The Creative Quarter has transformed the Old High Street into a hub of independent shops, artists’ studios and live-work spaces.
- Folkestone Triennial transforms the town every three years into an outdoor sculpture park with newly commissioned artwork by national and international artists.
- Folkestone Artworks is the UK’s largest collection of public contemporary art in a town.
- Folkestone Quarterhouse is a performing arts centre that hosts live events across theatre, dance, music, comedy, film, family shows and festivals.
- Folkestone Book Festival is one of the UK’s most established festivals of literature, books and ideas.
- We also do other projects!
We have declared that FOLKESTONE IS AN ART SCHOOL and all our projects are underpinned by an inspirational learning and engagement programme that works with schools, community groups and the people of Folkestone across art-form, age and ability.
CREATIVE FOLEKSTONE TRIENNIAL CURATOR 2024
FREELANCE BRIEF
Reports to: Chief Executive
Fee: To be confirmed – as this role is open to a range of applicants including collectives, we will have an honest and open discussion with candidates individually.
ROLE PURPOSE & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
With around twenty new works the Folkestone Triennial is the UK’s largest exhibition of newly commissioned work the majority of which are placed outside within the setting of the town and its seafront for the public and visitors to experience. Folkestone Triennial
2024 will be the sixth Folkestone Triennial and the previous five have established a reputation for Folkestone as an art town that welcomes contemporary artists into its everyday life. The Triennial is just one part of the work of the creative placemaking charity, Creative Folkestone, that has spent the last twenty years transforming the town, its cultural life, economy and reputation.
Creative Folkestone is now looking to appoint a curator or collective with their own vision for the Triennial which builds on past exhibitions, continues the transformation of Folkestone and so further enhance the Triennial and Folkestone’s reputation.
The Creative Folkestone team is experienced at delivering Triennials so can support the curator to deliver their vision. This allows the curator to take a variety of approaches to the exhibition from becoming deeply embedded in Folkestone and all the charity’s work, to providing a vision that is largely delivered by the Creative Folkestone staff team. Potential candidates are expected to present their chosen approach.
In an application Creative Folkestone is looking forward to seeing an exciting approach to the 2024 exhibition that must have a diversity of artists and attracts in excess of 160,000 people from the widest of backgrounds.
The curator/s will take on one or two works in progress or sites and communities of continued interest as these are part of the rooted approach of the Folkestone Triennial.
From all the past exhibitions a few works have been chosen to stay on display in the town as part of the Folkestone Artworks. This Artworks exhibition now has 46 artists represented that the public can visit 24 hours a day, for 365 days a year. The 2024 Triennial is also expected to produce works to be added to the Folkestone Artworks. Explore Folkestone Artworks
The dates of the exhibition in 2024 have not been set but are most likely to run for at least 10 weeks between summer to winter 2024.
Creative Folkestone has an open mind on its curator recruitment and has no preconceived ideas but along with an exciting vision the applicant/s will have the following:
- A significant track record of successfully curating exhibitions
- Experience of working in the public realm
- Knowledge of contemporary art and networked with artists
- Skilled at creating and developing partnerships
- Understanding of arts organisational dynamics and processes
- Empathy towards colleagues
The freelance role would work to the Creative Folkestone Chief Executive. It would also attend the charity’s Board Visual Arts Sub Committee chaired by Sir Stephen Deuchar.
We are open to receiving applications from individuals, groups, or collectives. We understand that this a role that will be shaped by the successful candidates. To help you with your thinking around your applications here is some additional information regarding the current curatorial set-up:
- The current curator would be described as fully embedded in Creative Folkestone for the delivery of the Triennial, the acquisition of works for the Folkestone Artworks and into the relevant visual art work of Creative Folkestone. Over three years he averages 2 to 2 ½ days a week with a slower start and building up in the period of delivery.
- As well as being responsible for commissioning the artists the curator works with them on creating the vision for their work and the delivery of the finished piece.
- The Curator works as an integral part of the team delivering the Triennial. This involves close collaboration with the departments of visitor experience, finance & fundraising, Creative Quarter, festivals, education and outreach and PR and marketing.
- The curator is assisted in the Triennial delivery of the exhibition by an assistant curator and a team of freelance project managers who work with the artists on their commissions.
The current curator also:
- Supports on external and internal communications with arts community, media, funders, other stakeholders and with the Board who agree the vision for the Triennial.
- Has delegated budget control for the art commissions.
- Commissions the Triennial Guide authorship, design and production.
- Works with the marketing team on creating the video, audio and visual content for the website
- Commissions a project manager to devise and implement a programme of activities linked to the Triennial (conferences, residencies, academic activity, talks and guided tours) aimed at adults / higher education.
- Identifies fundraising opportunities associated with the theme and selected artists.
- Recommends artworks to be acquired for the Folkestone Artworks.