Curatorial Researcher
Job Title: Curatorial Researcher
Division: DAD
Contract: 12 weeks from start date in November (part time 3 days / week)
Salary: £22,627 pa pro rata
Closing date for receipt of applications is midday Friday 11 October 2019
Interview date: 17 October 2019
Background
V&A Collection research to support the early stage scoping for a future V&A exhibition, to be co-curated with V&A Dundee.
Purpose of the Job
The V&A is currently undertaking research for an ambitious exhibition and events programme, created in collaboration with V&A Dundee. The exhibition is scheduled to open in the spring of 2022. It is a continuation of the V&A and V&A Dundee exhibition partnership.
DAD is seeking to appoint a curatorial researcher to support the early stage scoping for a future V&A exhibition co-curated with V&A Dundee. The researcher will be required to conduct comprehensive V&A collections mapping on holdings relating to the exhibition’s topic; compile up-to-date overviews of contemporary practice; as well as pinpointing other collections with specific holdings in this area. The role will primarily involve independent, self-led collection and secondary research within the V&A’s CMS database, National Art Library, other online databases as well as select consultations with V&A collection curators, as appropriate. The research should encompass a survey of all V&A collections across art, design and performance.
Main tasks
- Object list in Excel format documenting the survey of relevant V&A collection objects, also exported to Google Docs
- Organiser folder on CMS documenting the survey of relevant V&A collection objects (corresponding to object list in Excel)
- A concise summative report on V&A collection findings, highlighting characteristics / strengths of collection areas, as well bibliographies for any secondary materials consulted
- Google Docs research document of wider findings (divided into the sections of the exhibition)
- A concluding presentation for the curatorial teams in South Kensington and Dundee outlining the research findings
- This role will report to Lead Curators of the project, who will provide guidance on scope of research.
- Be committed to health and safety and ensure familiarity with all of the Museum’s health and safety policies and procedures.
- Be security conscious, ensure familiarity and co-operation with all museum security procedures and ensure you wear a security pass at all times when on museum premises.
- Promote equality and diversity in all aspects of your work by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and with respect/dignity and actively contributing to developments that support the museum’s strategy for widening access, inclusion and diversity.
- Carry out ad hoc duties as requested by appropriate managers within your department.
This role requires researchers to have good working knowledge of CMS along with curatorial research experience. A specialist research interest in histories of twentieth-century and contemporary art, design, technology, and visual culture and knowledge of NAL resources
