Organisation: The Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London
Location: London, UK
Position: Curator of Drawings or Senior Curator of Drawings
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Salary: £52,947–£73,611 per annum, dependent on experience
Application deadline: 13 September 2026, 11:59 PM
Interview date: 2 October 2026
About The Courtauld
The Courtauld works to advance how we see and understand the visual arts. It is an internationally renowned centre for the teaching and research of art history and a major public gallery.
The Courtauld Gallery cares for one of the greatest art collections in the UK, sharing these works with the public at its home in Somerset House in central London. It also produces a critically acclaimed programme of temporary exhibitions and displays.
About the Role
The Courtauld Gallery is seeking an outstanding Curator or Senior Curator to lead its internationally renowned collection of drawings and oversee the work of its Prints and Drawings Department, one of the most active in the United Kingdom.
The successful candidate will have a PhD in the history of art or equivalent research experience, specialist expertise and significant curatorial experience in European drawings pre-1800, and the ability to work across the full range of the drawings collection.
The position requires a highly committed, energetic and ambitious approach, the ability to flourish within a small team, and excellent organisational and communication skills.
Candidate Profile
The Courtauld is looking for an exceptional curator with substantial experience of working with drawings in a museum or public gallery setting.
Candidates should have a strong curatorial record and the ability to lead across a broad portfolio of responsibilities, including research, cataloguing, exhibitions, acquisitions, stakeholder engagement and the management of a small specialist team.
Applications will be assessed according to the grading criteria included with the full job description.
Key Responsibilities
Responsibilities include:
- Leading the stewardship, development, display and interpretation of the internationally renowned drawings collection.
- Working closely with the Gallery’s Conservator of Works on Paper on all matters relating to the material care, conservation and technical study of the collection.
- Playing a key role in developing the drawings collection as an online resource through its documentation, cataloguing, digitisation and interpretation, particularly through Collection Online.
- Building and nurturing relationships with collectors, auction houses, dealers and potential benefactors to enhance the collection and support the Gallery’s programmes.
Role Details
The position is permanent, full-time and based at Somerset House in London.
The salary is determined by the level of appointment and the candidate’s experience:
- Curator, Grade 7: £52,947–£60,658 per annum
- Senior Curator, Grade 8: £64,089–£73,611 per annum
