The Harry M. Weinrebe Curatorial Fellow (Post-1800 Paintings) – The National Gallery
Institution: The National Gallery
Location: London, United Kingdom
Contract: 22-month fixed-term contract, full-time (35 hours per week)
Salary: £38,133 per annum
Deadline: 15 June 2026
The National Gallery is offering the Harry M. Weinrebe Curatorial Fellowship, a 22-month traineeship designed for emerging art historians interested in curatorial work with post-1800 European paintings. The fellowship provides practical experience across a wide range of museum functions, including collection care, exhibitions, research, interpretation, and public programming.
Working within the post-1800 curatorial team, the fellow will collaborate with departments including Conservation, Scientific Research, Registrars, Exhibitions, Learning, Digital, Framing, and Art Handling. The role also includes opportunities to work with national and international museum partners and to accompany artworks as a courier within the UK and abroad.
Position Responsibilities
- Assist with the care, display, research, management, and interpretation of the post-1800 collection
- Receive training in acquisitions, loans, redisplays, rehanging, and exhibition development
- Support public programmes and curatorial initiatives
- Assist with public enquiries and collection information updates
- Collaborate on displays and interpretation projects across the Gallery
- Support exhibition projects at different stages of development
- Work alongside departments including Exhibitions, Learning, Digital, Conservation, and Scientific Research
- Act as a courier for artworks in the UK and internationally when required
Eligibility Criteria
- Degree in Art History (undergraduate or postgraduate)
- Knowledge of European post-1800 painting through degree-level study or dissertation research
- Strong academic research skills, including archival research
- Advanced visual analysis skills related to European painting
- Fluency in English
- Working knowledge of at least one additional European language (French preferred; Italian, German, or Dutch also accepted)
- Strong writing and public speaking skills
- Broad IT competence
- Interest in curatorial practice and museum history
Programme Highlights
- Professional curatorial training within a major national museum
- Hands-on experience with exhibitions, collection displays, and interpretation
- Collaboration with multiple museum departments
- Public engagement and educational programming experience
- Research opportunities linked to diversity and inclusion in museum practice
- International travel for loans and exhibitions
Applicants should be able to work independently and collaboratively, manage deadlines effectively, and communicate research to both specialist and general audiences. Occasional evening work and travel may be required.
