Curator, Live Programmes (Fixed-Term Contract) – Serpentine Galleries, London, United Kingdom

Institution: Serpentine
Deadline: 22 February 2026 (midnight)
Location: London, United Kingdom
Contract: 7-month fixed-term (March – September 2026)
Salary: £41,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Hours: Full-time (hybrid model: 3 days onsite, 2 days remote)

Serpentine is seeking an experienced curator to lead the development and delivery of its cross-disciplinary Live Programme for the 2026 summer exhibitions. This is a time-limited, delivery-focused role suited to a curator comfortable managing complex projects within tight timeframes.

Reporting to the Director of Programmes and Chief Curator, the Curator, Live Programmes will take ownership of planning and delivering talks, symposia, screenings, performances, and festivals aligned with Serpentine’s major summer exhibitions.

The role requires close collaboration across internal departments, including Production, Development, Audiences, Editorial, and Finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of Live Programmes for the 2026 summer exhibitions

• Coordinate cross-departmentally to ensure programmes are delivered on time, on budget, and to a high standard

• Oversee artist and contributor engagement (contracts, scheduling, travel, accommodation, hospitality)

• Support fundraising initiatives and partnerships in collaboration with Development and Senior Management

• Manage budgets, forecasting, and expenditure monitoring

• Ensure Health & Safety compliance (Risk Assessments and Method Statements)

• Support promotion, documentation, and communication of Live Programmes

• Line-manage freelancers and external production teams

• Lead project reviews and handover documentation

The role also includes contributing to Serpentine’s commitments to equity, diversity, inclusion, and institutional policy compliance.

Candidate Profile

• Significant experience delivering live programmes within a cultural institution

• Proven ability to manage complex projects and deliver within fixed deadlines

• Experience speaking publicly about modern and contemporary art

• Strong professional networks and awareness of sector trends

• Excellent organisational and planning skills

• Ability to remain calm under pressure

• Collaborative and adaptable working style

• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office

• Availability to work evenings and weekends when required