Curator (Fashion and Textiles)

Department: Visual Arts
Job Type: Permanent, Full time
Salary Range: £43,050 – £48,530 (including London Weighting) per annum depending on experience/performance 

We’re a unique, dynamic Arts and Learning Centre that present artistic experiences with collaborators across music, theatre, dance, visual arts and cinema that variously entertain, enable, enrich, and enlighten our many audiences. Our aim is to be a 21st century international Arts Centre that champions equity, diversity, and inclusion, and explores new approaches to arts, education, and enterprise.

Job Summary

The Curator (Fashion and Textile) will contribute to consolidating the Barbican Visual Arts reputation as a leading international venue for the presentation of exhibitions, with a curatorial focus on 20th and 21st century fashion. They will lead and co-ordinate tailored project teams for the development, creative planning and realisation of exhibitions and events that align with the overall artistic programme, strategic framework and purpose and values of the Barbican Centre.

Managing an Assistant Curator and/or a Curatorial Assistant you will be committed to providing the highest level of customer service, to both internal and external customers, and will actively seek to promote equality of opportunity.
You will design and elaborate a clear and distinct vision for the Barbican’s Fashion and Textile Program and will devise, develop and design world quality exhibitions on fashion and textile that demonstrate a critical engagement with a range of historic and contemporary references.

You will develop, mobilize and support international institutional partnerships; and promote the Gallery’s partnership and touring exhibitions abroad.

Essential requirements:

• A good knowledge of 20th and 21st century fashion and textile, and a strong international network
• Demonstrable experience in a curatorial role in fashion
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams including freelance and contractors delivering complex productions.
• Internationally recognized and respected track record of curating in specialist field.

You must be able to demonstrate:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to consult with, and negotiate complex contracts including hire agreements, loans from artists, collectors, galleries, and museums.
• Ability to deliver complex projects, motivating and leading teams.
• Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively across teams and sectors to achieve positive outcomes.

This is a full-time, permanent position based in The Barbican.

The Barbican is a values-based organisation and welcome applications from all backgrounds and sectors. Equity, diversity and inclusion is at the forefront of our strategy. We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements where possible, and all workplace attendance requirements are based on the role to provide employees with an agreed working pattern to enable them to plan in the longer term and therefore provide a good work/home life balance.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Katrina Crookall at katrina.crookall@barbican.org.uk