Curator of the Brent Biennial 2022
Overview
Reports to: Head of Programme
Responsible for: Producers / Production / Tech (freelance team TBC)
Commencement date: July 2021
Term: July 2021 – September 2022
Fixed Fee: £25,000
Contract Type: Freelance
About Metroland Cultures
Metroland Cultures safeguards the legacy of Brent’s year as the Borough of Culture by building on the projects and relationships developed over that year. It works in partnership with the community and Council to celebrate Brent’s cultural heritage and grow its creative future. Through its Visual Arts and Music Biennial it presents stories and artists to local, national and international audiences. Metroland University offers a 2 month development programme to young people from Brent who want to work in the arts and the creative industries.
About the Curator role
The Curator will work closely with the Head of Programme to develop the conceptual framework for the second iteration of the Brent Biennial. The role will work in dialogue with the Head of Programme to develop innovative approaches to involving community members and stakeholders in the development of the programme and in commissioning processes and other aspects of the programme, ensuring Brent, the place, people and politics at the centre of the programme. The Curator will oversee relationships with artists and the delivery of the works in situ and oversee the freelance team to deliver it. The 2020 Biennial programme realised 23 commissions, the 2022 Biennial will be the second Brent Biennial and the Curator will be expected to learn from and build on the programming and learning developed in the 2020 programme. The role will be expected to collaborate and engage with the Young People part of Metroland University and identify opportunities for them to lead and engage with the programme. The role will report to the Head of Programme but will work closely with the Executive Director and Community Engagement Producer. The Curator will work closely with the Head of Programme to identify additional support needed to deliver the Biennial within the overall programme budget.
2022 Visual Arts Biennial
Opening Thursday 30th June 2022
Run through Thursday- Sunday 30th June- 30th September 2022
Duties and Responsibilities
- Development of curatorial framework and theme for the Biennial in dialogue with the Head of Programme and key community members.
- Research artists, politics, histories, geographies of the borough to explore through the programme.
- Develop opportunities for community input into commissioning processes.
- Lead on the selection of artists and works in consultation with the Head of Programme.
- Lead on the Public Programme with Metroland University.
- Build on the learning of the inaugural 2020 Biennial.
- Build and develop opportunities within the commissions with key Metroland Audiences and partners.
- Regularly attend meetings with the Metroland Cultures team.
- Participate and lead (where required) meetings with the local art community and other partners in the borough with support of the Community Engagement Producer.
- Negotiate the location of the Artwork across the borough with the Director and Head of Programmes.
- Responsibility for (in dialogue with the curators) the production of an international development plan within the agreed budget, and ensuring that the website is able to represent the Biennial’s content in the best possible way.
- The organisation of vernissage, sculpture walking tours, and programme items.
Oversee and support the Technical and Production Team on:
- Planning of presentation, including specific technical configurations, delivery of descriptions of the physical installation/mounting, disassembly/taking down, and packaging of artworks.
- Booking of transportation, packaging of the artwork and the subsequent return to the lenders/ artists with support from the Administrator.
- Establishment of loan agreements between artists, lenders and Metroland Cultures for the exhibition period.
- Delivering to timetables for the production of new works.
- Work with artists and/or lenders to agree contracts, production budgets and fees for the commissioned works within the budgetary framework.
- Ensuring that exhibited items are insured from the time of transportation to received by Metroland, and vice versa.
- The production of new works, where applicable (contact with subcontractors that produce elements of the artworks, the contact person responsible for work in public space.
- With regard to location-specific and distinct new productions, the establishment and negotiation of a separate agreement concerning transportation or destruction.
- Contributing to the construction and installation of works (both indoors and outdoors), in consultation with curators and, in certain cases, with exhibiting artists.
- Collaborate with the Marketing team on delivery of materials (pictures and texts) for the catalogue, as well as the delivery of pictures for the website and other information and marketing channels for the media and the public in accordance with the timetable.
- Participation in press viewings and programme items until the end of the exhibition.
- Author texts and interpretation for the programme including framing essay, marketing texts and interpretation materials with support of the Head of Programmes.
- Working with Marketing and Press teams to guide and steers the communication and tone of the programme.
General Duties
- Keep abreast of best practice in the sector within Britain and globally.
- Represent Metroland at public functions, launch parties, conferences, press nights and fundraising events.
- Ensure you adhere to Metroland Cultures policies and procedures with respect to Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Equal and Diversity, Environmental and Data Protection.
- Be willing to undertake any necessary training or development in order to fulfill the role.
Person Specification
Essential
- Commitment to working in Brent and desire to build the programme within the context, history, community and geography of the borough.
- Demonstrable experience of delivering public arts and cultural programmes that are inclusive and representative of local people and communities.
- Demonstrable commitment to social justice and equity in all aspects of working.
- Demonstrable experience of working on place based programming.
- Demonstrable experience of supporting artists development.
- Demonstrable experience of writing to a variety of audiences.
- The ability to understand and anticipate the artistic, financial and logistical needs of producing and presenting an extensive programme of work and to be able to translate this understanding into resourcing and financial planning and budgeting.
- Ability to understand and navigate complex relationships with stakeholders, community, artists and partners.
- Will to be flexible, understanding and responsive to the community.
- An understanding of working with artists and other creatives to commission new work.
- Commitment to working with artists and partners from a diverse range of backgrounds,and commitment to exploring and furthering Visual Arts.
- A proven leader, who understands the impact of change, and can inspire and lead a team.
- Excellent communication, influencing and negotiating skills.
- Emotional intelligence and appreciation of how to work collaboratively in a creative environment.
- Experience in budget management.
Desirable
- Understanding of the context of the borough and creative community.
- Experience of co-commissioning or developing artistic programmes in close dialogue with communities.
- Experience of training, mentoring and support of emerging talent.
- Experience in Biennial contexts.
Applications
To discuss the role, please email team@metrolandcultures.com to arrange a conversation with the Interim Director Lois Stonock.
To apply for the role, please send the following to team@metrolandcultures.com:
1. CV
2. Covering Letter outlining your proposed approach and suitability for the role (no more than 1000 words)
The deadline for applications is 30th June 2021. Interviews will be held on the 8th July 2021.
For more information about Metroland Cultures please see www.brent2020.co.uk.
Metroland Cultures is an Equal Opportunities and London Living Wage employer.