Main Duties & Responsibilities
Exhibition and Public Program
- Research, compile, and write materials related to exhibitions, Curve commissions, and public art projects.
- Carry out loan administration, securing details of insurance valuations, display requirements, packing, and transport needs.
- Contribute to the development of the Public Program and assist in event realization.
- Support the Curatorial team with event information input on Artifax.
- Gather and return photographic and digital material, dealing with reproduction rights and copyright requests.
- Collate information for press purposes and liaise with Marketing and Communications departments.
- Support exhibition architectural and graphic design planning.
- Assist in the installation and de-installation of exhibitions, condition checking artworks as required.
- Organize exhibit framing as necessary.
- Update information on the Gallery’s exhibition database.
- Prepare and write exhibition labels and interpretative texts.
- Conduct accurate provenance research and generate reports.
- Organize exhibition installation photography.
- Give exhibition tours to the public and other stakeholders.
- Assist in drafting and administrating contracts.
- Help prepare and write exhibition catalogues.
Business Performance
- Organize travel requirements, including tickets, hotels, and per diems.
- Undertake general administrative duties, including filing, photocopying, scanning, and preparing materials for the archive.
- Receive telephone and email inquiries regarding exhibitions and general queries from potential exhibitors.
- Organize meetings, book meeting rooms, and assist in private views and other events.
Governance and Finance
- Process orders and invoices, set up new suppliers on the finance system, and support budget monitoring.
Managing Relationships
- Liaise with lenders and other stakeholders.
- Support the Curatorial team in developing relationships with artists and contributors.
- Engage with colleagues across the Barbican Centre as necessary.
Other Duties
- Implement the City of London’s Occupational Health and Safety Policy.
- Promote equality of opportunity according to the City of London’s Equal Opportunity Policy.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to the grade.
Person Specification
Job Title: Curatorial Assistant
Institution: Barbican Centre
Department: Visual Arts Department
Grade & Level: B Level
Professional Qualifications / Relevant Education & Training
Essential:
- An Art History degree or equivalent in design, architecture, or humanities, or equivalent sectoral experience.
- Excellent knowledge of art and contemporary exhibition practice.
- Demonstrable curatorial work and writing experience.
Experience Required
Essential:
- Practical experience in an arts organization, museum, gallery, or similar.
- Administrative and office experience.
- Strong research skills with attention to detail.
- Experience in budget monitoring and financial administration.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, handling issues with tact, discretion, and diplomacy.
- Well-organized, able to work to tight deadlines and maintain a calm, ordered approach.
- Demonstrable written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Desirable:
- Experience using Artifax.
Technical Skills
- Excellent IT and word processing skills, familiar with Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, and Excel, and confident using databases.
Other Relevant Information
- Working Hours: 35 hours per week with some late working.
Summary of Terms and Conditions of Employment
Salary: Starting salary is £30,180 per annum inclusive of London Weighting.
Contract: Permanent.
Hours of Work: 10 am – 6 pm, Monday – Friday, 35 hours per week excluding lunch break.
Frequency and Method of Payment: Monthly paid, credited on the 11th of each month.
Annual Leave: 24 days annual holiday plus Bank Holidays.
Sickness Absence and Pay: Comprehensive Occupational Sick Pay scheme available.
Pension: Automatic admission to the City of London Corporation’s Pension Scheme, with contributions based on salary.
Continuous Service: Service from another body covered by the Redundancy Payments (Local Government) (Modification) Order 1999 counts towards continuous service.
Probationary Period: Six-month probationary period, with one week’s notice required during this period.
Notice Period: One month by either party after satisfactory completion of the probationary period.
Learning and Employee Development: Financial support and time off for appropriate qualifications and professional skills training.
Employee Volunteering Program: Two days of volunteering leave per year for local community work.
