Engagement Curator

Full Time 35 hrs/wk 

Salary: £30,366 – 33,229 p.a. + 12.5% pension contribution and other benefits

Location: Henry Moore Foundation, Perry Green, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire SG10 6EE – 30 miles north of London, mid-way between London and Cambridge

This is an excellent opportunity to work in a newly created, important role in a leading arts organisation, within a friendly and team-focused culture.

The Henry Moore Foundation was founded by the artist in 1977 to encourage public appreciation of the visual arts. Today we support innovative sculpture projects, devise an imaginative programme of exhibitions and research worldwide. We want to reach out and engage a diverse range of audiences, and to preserve the legacy of Moore himself: one of the great sculptors of the 20th century, who did so much to bring the artform to a wider audience. 

As our Engagement Curator, you’ll work alongside the Head of Henry Moore Collections & Programmes to develop and deliver an inspirational learning and engagement programme that will underpin the activities of Henry Moore Studios & Gardens and our touring exhibitions. You’ll work with schools, students, vulnerable young adults, community groups, artists and creative professionals – creating activities that engage and encourage interest in the visual arts and the work of Henry Moore.

We’re looking for someone with at least 2 years’ experience of developing and running education, engagement or community arts programmes in the cultural sector, who really understands the needs of diverse audiences and can get the best out of partnerships. Our ideal candidate will have an arts degree or equivalent qualification in education, a good understanding of the formal education sector and/or community networks, with excellent organisational and people skills. Some experience of fundraising is desirable. Enhanced DBS clearance will be required. We are happy to consider some homeworking in this role, but the majority of time will be worked on site.

If you are excited by this opportunity and, having read the job specification, you have the skills and experience to meet the requirements of the role, we would be pleased to receive an application from you. A recruitment pack and application form are available on our website, where further information can be found about the Henry Moore Foundation: http://www.henry-moore.org/working-with-the-foundation

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 10am Tuesday 27 July 2021

INTERVIEWS: Thursday 5 August 2021 at Perry Green, East Hertfordshire.

We are an equal opportunities employer.

1. About the Foundation

The Henry Moore Foundation was established by one of the great sculptors of the twentieth century. Today it is the largest artist-endowed grant-giving foundation in Europe. At the Foundation, we would like as many people as possible to enjoy and appreciate sculpture and in particular the work of Britain’s greatest sculptor, Henry Moore. We want to inspire and inform people of all ages and backgrounds, whether they have an interest in the arts, are studying sculpture or visiting with their family for a day out. We want to extend our reach to worldwide audiences through international touring of our collection; and to support the development of sculpture through our grants programme. We have bold ambitions that require us to capitalise on our assets in order to achieve these aims.

The Foundation is overseen by a Board of Trustees, with day to day management being delegated to the Senior Management Team. We employ around 100 people across our two sites and are privileged to be supported by some 50 volunteers each year. 

All of our people are encouraged to uphold our core values: Generous & Inclusive; Respect & Value; Visionary & Creative.

2. Henry Moore Studios & Gardens, Perry Green

Perry Green is the small hamlet near Much Hadham in rural East Hertfordshire, where Henry Moore made his home. Moore lived in Hoglands with his family for nearly half a century and created his extraordinary sculptures, prints and drawings in the various studios within the grounds. In 1977 Perry Green became the headquarters of the Henry Moore Foundation.

We welcome around 23,000 visitors plus 2,000 school children to Henry Moore Studios & Gardens each year, where they experience Moore’s home and studios and learn about his monumental bronze sculptures sited in the natural environment as he preferred. Our grounds cover 72 acres of beautiful countryside, from natural meadows and woodland to formal gardens, and include the Sheep Field Barn Gallery, where visitors can discover more about Moore and his work. 

Perry Green is home to the Henry Moore collections consisting of over 12,000 objects, including monumental bronzes, wood and stone carvings, maquettes drawings, graphics, tapestries and textiles. We organise a busy programme of national and international loans and exhibitions each year, introducing Henry Moore to thousands of people worldwide.

3. Henry Moore Institute, Leeds

The Institute is firmly rooted in Leeds, where we work in partnership with Leeds Art Gallery to manage the sculpture collection and archive of Leeds Museums and Galleries, a collaboration that has built one of the strongest public collections of sculpture in Britain. The Institute is a world-recognised centre for the study of sculpture, where we aim to make a significant impact on the future of art history, placing sculpture right at the centre. We achieve this through a programme of exhibitions, engagement and research that consistently re-thinks how we understand sculpture today, continuing Moore’s legacy by making sculpture a necessary and relevant part of contemporary culture. An Engagement Curator is already in post at the Institute.

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4. Grants

Our grants programme continues Moore’s legacy by supporting the growth and development of sculpture (historical, modern and contemporary) and through funding research that expands the appreciation of sculpture.

5. About this Role

The Engagement Curator is a new position within the Collections & Programmes team (which includes the Henry Moore Archive) at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens. We have established this role to help us reach out to a diverse range of audiences and to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy and engage with the work of Henry Moore. 

Within the next couple of years, we intend to remodel the Sheep Field Barn Gallery to create a new learning space, so this is an exciting opportunity, not just to be the first in this role, but also to help create a state of the art learning centre.

6. Principal Aims of the Role

The Engagement Curator will develop and oversee the delivery of a new and inspirational learning and engagement programme that is central to the activities of Henry Moore Studios & Gardens. Working within the Henry Moore Collections & Exhibitions department and liaising regularly with the events team, the post-holder will develop an inclusive approach to engagement and audience development, specifically including schools, families, community groups, students, artists and creative professionals.

7. Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Develop a learning and engagement strategy that removes barriers and creates access for new, diverse audiences to the art, life and creative processes of Henry Moore.
• Plan, coordinate and deliver an engagement programme across all activities at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens and in support to the touring programmes when appropriate (e.g. practical workshops for schools and community groups, talk programmes, research events).
• Devise and manage community events and projects as part of an outreach programme for schools and other educational institutions in the region (e.g. colleges, local authorities, community groups, non-formal learning providers).
• Ensure best practice in promoting access to the arts in line with Arts Council England’s Creative Case for Diversity.
• Contribute to the development, fundraising and programming of the new learning centre at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens.
• Work closely with curatorial and marketing colleagues to devise, implement and regularly review an inclusive audience development strategy.
• Work with the curatorial team to develop a multi-layered approach to interpretation across our exhibitions and public programmes, including digital and online resources.
• Produce copy for marketing and online publications about engagement activities.
• Develop and apply an evaluation strategy for learning and engagement activities at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens.
• Create meaningful relationships with the wider artistic and learning communities to increase their engagement with the programme and the work of Henry Moore.
• Forge new learning and public programming partnerships that enhance the programmes at Henry Moore Studios & Gardens.
• Participate in professional networks and represent the Henry Moore Foundation in the sector and across media.
• Establish clear operational procedures and appropriate contracting of all learning and engagement activities, and ensure adherence to the Foundation’s Safeguarding and other relevant policies.
• Any other duties that may reasonably be required.

6. Person Specification 

The following experience, knowledge, skills and values are essential [E], or desirable [D], to fulfil this role. These criteria will be used to shortlist potential candidates so, when completing your application form, please give examples of these skills and experiences:

• A degree or equivalent level of study in a relevant subject (e.g. fine art, history of art, museum studies, education) [E]
• An active and informed interest in the visual arts [E]
• At least 2 years’ experience of developing and running an education, learning, engagement or community arts programme/events in the cultural sector [E]
• Track record in working with diverse audiences/users/students [E]
• Good knowledge of formal and informal learning, including: National Curriculum – Art and Design, professional development for teachers, resources for early years up to HE/FE, family learning provision, adult learning provision, programmes for vulnerable and at-risk young people; activities for adults with access requirements [E]
• Good understanding of community networks and community engagement [E]
• Good knowledge of best practice in promoting access to the visual arts [E]
• Good knowledge of effective review and evaluation processes [E]
• Ability to initiate and develop successful and sustainable partnerships [E]
• Diplomatic and highly organised with great attention to detail, ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines [E]
• Excellent communicator and ‘people person’ with ability to work across teams and with external groups/partners [E]
• Target-driven and highly audience-focused [E]
• Excellent literacy and numeracy [E]
• Experience of producing and commissioning materials for publications and learning resources, in print and digital formats [E]
• Experience of managing freelancers/external contractors and volunteers [D]
• Experience of fundraising for learning activities and knowledge of public and private funding sources [D]
• Experience of working with collections [D]
• Competent in use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams) [D]
• Ability to work flexible hours: some evenings and weekends [E]
• Full UK driving licence (for cars) [D]

Additionally, we expect all employees at HMS&G to share and work to our core values:  

• Generous & Inclusive: work together, share across teams, nurture relationships and enable others
• Respect & Value: be ethical, respect differences, listen to others and acknowledge effort 
• Visionary & Creative: forward thinking, enthusiastic, keep learning, inspire and engage others  

7. Line Management 

The Engagement Curator reports to the Head of Henry Moore Collections & Programmes. The post-holder does not manage any direct reports.

8. Basic Terms and Conditions 

• This is a permanent full time (35 hrs/5 days/wk) position.
• The selected candidate will be required to provide a passport and proof of address or other evidence to show that they are eligible to work in the UK.
• The salary offered for this position is £30,366 – 33,229 p.a. on HMF pay band E depending upon experience.
• The normal working week is worked as 5 x (7-hour) days from 9.30am to 5.30pm including one hour (unpaid) for breaks. 
• Out-of-hours attendance will be required at events associated with the programme; time off in lieu will be given for these hours. Time off in lieu must be taken within reasonable time and cannot be allowed to accrue over one month. No payment will be made in lieu of un-used ‘time off in lieu’.
• 23 days paid leave per annum plus the bank holidays in England plus three additional days at the discretion of management (usually offered between Christmas and New Year). The leave year runs from 1 January to 31 December. 
• Probationary period of 6 months.
• Notice period of one calendar month or one week during the probationary period.
• New employees are auto-enrolled into a contributory pension scheme through Scottish Widows. Employer contributions are generous at 12.5% (paid by tax efficient salary sacrifice). Employees are required to pay a contribution of 5% (you can pay more if you wish). The scheme offers lifestyle flexibility, with excellent online facilities provided by Scottish Widows, enabling employees to keep in touch with the performance of their pension. All employees are advised to make contributions into a pension scheme. You may opt out if you chose to do so. Further details will be given to appointed candidates.
• The place of work is the Henry Moore Foundation, Henry Moore Studios & Gardens, Perry Green, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, SG10 6EE, though local travel should be expected to meet with community groups etc. All travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with the Foundation’s Expenses Policy.
• The selected candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check – formerly known as a CRB (Criminal Record Bureau) check – before employment will be confirmed; employment may be withheld if the DBS check discloses any findings that are relevant to the employment and which were not declared on the job application form or at the time of an offer of employment, then this may result in the withdrawal of an offer of employment.

9. Staff Benefits

• We want everyone to be the very best that they can be and we will work closely with you to agree some clear performance goals which provide you with continual development. We support you on your development at work and your career goals.
• If appropriate for the job role, a proportion of homeworking may be considered, subject to our Homeworking Policy (currently under review).
• Enhanced benefits for maternity, paternity and adoption pay. 
• Time off for family emergencies (unpaid) and compassionate leave (paid) is awarded in the unfortunate event of the death of a direct family member.
• Free access to our 24-hour confidential personal assistance and counselling scheme offering a wide range of support services e.g. managing money, retirement, returning to work after a break, bereavement, advice with caring for relatives, divorce, abuse, etc.
• Company sick pay (includes SSP) on the completion of 6 months’ service.
• Income Protection insurance covers you should you be unable to work beyond the duration of your Company sick pay (subject to HMF terms and conditions and acceptance onto the scheme by the insurers).
• Life insurance covers you should you die while in our employment (subject to HMF terms and conditions and acceptance onto the scheme by the insurers).
• Vouchers for a free eye sight test for DSE (Display Screen Equipment) users.
• Free admission vouchers for family and friends to use during our open season to Henry Moore Studios & Gardens.
• Interest-free loan of up to £1000 to assist with the purchase of annual travel tickets, a car, bicycle, personal computer/laptop or to purchase a work of art. 
• 10% Discount in the HMF book/gift shops and café, and at The Hoops Inn pub in Perry Green (excluding drinks).
• Accommodation may be available on site at a modest rent; this is not part of the remuneration package.

10. Practicalities of Working at Perry Green

The Foundation’s offices are set in a beautiful rural location but this means that you need to have your own transport to get to work. The local bus service is extremely infrequent and the nearest bus stop is 1.5 miles away. (See our Interest free loan to assist with transport costs). There are no shops in Perry Green so employees bring their own lunch to work.

11. Application Process

If you are interested in this position and, having read the job specification, you have the credentials to meet the requirements of the role, we would be pleased to receive an application from you. Please apply using the application form supplied. When completing the form it would be helpful if you could address the requirements of the person specification and tell us about any gaps in your employment history. Thank you.  

Further information about the Henry Moore Foundation is available at our website: http://www.henry-moore.org

Please return your completed application form (no CVs please) to Terry Millson at recruitment@henry-moore.org by 10am Tuesday 27 July 2021.

Interviews will take place for shortlisted candidates in Perry Green on Thursday 5 August 2021 at Perry Green, East Hertfordshire. (Our preference would be to meet shortlisted candidates in person, but we would be happy to arrange a virtual interview if a selected candidate is on holiday or unable to travel to Perry Green on this date).

Thank you for your interest in the Foundation. 

Human Resources Department, Henry Moore Foundation