Reference: OCT20212898
Expiry date: 09:00, 05 November 2021
Location: South Kensington
Salary: £22,627 Per Annum
Benefits: Group Personal Pension, Life Assurance Scheme, and other great benefits
Duration: Fixed Term for 24 months
The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance. We enrich people’s lives by promoting the practice of design and increasing knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the designed world.
The V&A is planning an exhibition for Winter 2023 on Islamic South Asia in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a major scholarly publication and a wide variety of other events, and will probably tour internationally following its staging at the V&A.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 5th November 2021 at 09:00.
Main Purpose of job
To carry out research and curatorial administration, supporting the Exhibition Curator in the development and delivery of the exhibition and accompanying publication.
Key Responsibilities
1. Undertake a wide range of research tasks for the exhibition as directed by the Exhibition Curator. This will include research on subject areas, collections, archives or objects relevant to the exhibition.
2. Contribute to the development of the structure, themes and content of the exhibition, developing research subjects as required by the Exhibition Curator.
3. Assist with the process of object selection, identifying relevant public and private collections. This will involve: making arrangements for, and sometimes undertaking, research trips as necessary; developing and maintaining excellent relationships with lenders; preparing loan requests letters for the Exhibition Curator.
4. Organise and maintain local paper and electronic records for the object list as directed by the Lead Curator. Assist the Exhibition Curator with object movements and updating entries on the V&A’s Collections Management System.
5. For the accompanying publication, compile bibliographies, illustration lists, object checklists, timelines, captions, and any relevant end matter. Undertake picture research and assist with proofing and indexing. Liaise with contributing authors and the V&A Publishing team as required.
6. Undertake picture research for the exhibition. Create and maintain an Excel spreadsheet for tracking permissions and copyrights as need for contextual images and audio-visual material selected for the exhibition, working closely with the Rights Clearance Manager.
7. Prepare ‘tombstone’ information for object text labels alongside the Exhibition Curator and assist with editing of the exhibition text, in liaison with the Interpretation Producer.
8. Support the Exhibition Curator and Exhibition Manager with partnerships and ventures both within the V&A and with other external organisations where necessary, including academic partners and lenders, and tour venues.
9. Work collaboratively with the appointed designers. Assist the Exhibition Curator with aspects of briefing and provision of information to the designers (including 3D, 2D, lighting and audio-visual).
10. Liaise with relevant sections of the V&A on behalf of the Exhibition Curator as and when necessary, including Learning, Development, Marketing, Press, Digital Media, Events, Commercial and Publications. Attend Project Team meetings and contribute to Curatorial reviews of the development of the exhibition.
The above job description is intended to be an outline of the duties and responsibilities for this role. This is not exhaustive, and it is likely to change over time. You may be expected to undertake other duties that are commensurate with this role
PERSON SPECIFICATION
- Experience of delivering a temporary exhibition or permanent display.
- Experience of researching museum collections and archives, and the ability to carry out research independently.
- Experience of researching for and delivering museum publications.
- Experience of picture and audio-visual research, including copyright clearances. Excellent standard of written English
- Experience of communicating clearly, with the ability to adapt your communication style for different groups
- The ability to use MS Office and other relevant IT systems as appropriate for the role.
- Proven ability to manage a high workload and multiple priorities whilst meeting deadlines.
- Respects others’ expertise, time, perspectives and contribution.
- Takes responsibility for delivering on actions, achieving high-standards and learning from mistakes
- Open to change, new ideas and suggestions; looks for opportunities for improvement and self- development
- Works with others outside their own department in a collaborative, understanding, and, engaging way.
- Proficiency in another language.
- Knowledge of and research experience in Islamic South Asian Art and/or history from the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
- Knowledge of Persian language.
