Exhibition Project Curator, V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum)
Salary: £35,561
Contract: Fixed-term, 24 months
Hours: 36 hours per week
Application Deadline: 21 June 2026
About the Role
The V&A is seeking an Exhibition Project Curator to support the development and delivery of a large-scale performance-based exhibition planned for Summer 2028, focusing on popular music and art of the 20th century. The exhibition will be accompanied by a publication and a wide-ranging programme of events.
Reporting to the Senior Curator, Theatre & Performance, the successful candidate will coordinate research and associated activities for the project, supporting the creative vision established by the Lead Curator and helping to develop and deliver both the exhibition and accompanying publication.
Key Responsibilities
- Undertake a wide range of research tasks relating to the exhibition, including research into subject areas, collections, archives and objects, and manage the research programme across both exhibition and publication.
- Contribute to the development of exhibition themes, structure and content, and assist in writing exhibition texts and labels.
- Support object selection by identifying relevant public and private collections, conducting research trips, maintaining relationships with lenders and assisting with the loan process.
- Organise and maintain project records, object lists and collection management data, including object movements and acquisitions.
- Assist with the delivery of the accompanying publication, including research, writing, editing, proofreading, bibliographies, timelines, captions and liaison with contributing authors and the V&A Publishing Team.
- Support research, selection, acquisition and permissions for contextual images, music, audio and audiovisual material, including copyright and permissions tracking.
- Assist with commissioning films and developing interpretive and interactive exhibition materials.
- Support exhibition reviews, progress reporting and presentations to internal stakeholders.
- Work with internal and external partners, including academic collaborators, lenders and members of the press.
- Collaborate with exhibition designers and contribute to curatorial briefs and content development.
- Liaise with departments across the museum, including Conservation, Learning, Development, Marketing, Press, Digital Media, Events, Commercial and Publications.
Person Specification
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Expertise and research experience in popular music and art of the 20th century, with the ability to undertake independent research.
- Experience planning and delivering temporary exhibitions or permanent displays.
- Strong curatorial experience and an understanding of audience engagement through exhibitions, publications, talks and digital content.
- Experience writing, proofreading and editing texts for publication.
- Experience conducting picture and audiovisual research, including copyright clearances.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
- Strong organisational skills and experience managing multiple complex projects and deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant digital systems.
- A collaborative approach and commitment to working across teams.
- Alignment with the V&A’s values of Sustainability, Equity, Creativity, Collaboration and Generosity.
Desirable
- Experience working with musicians, artists, designers and/or their estates.
