Gallery Assistant at Centrala
Location: Birmingham, UK
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Salary: £26,227.50 per annum
Working pattern: Regular weekend work and occasional evening work
Application deadline: 25 September 2026
Centrala is seeking a Gallery Assistant to support its exhibitions, events, public programmes and daily operations in Birmingham.
The position will currently contribute to Hybrid Futures, Centrala’s Arts Council England-funded programme exploring contemporary art, culture and community through hybrid, participatory and interdisciplinary approaches.
About the Role
The Gallery Assistant will play a central, public-facing role within Centrala’s small and collaborative team. Combining arts programme support, visitor experience, event delivery and commercial activity, they will help maintain a welcoming, inclusive and well-run gallery and café environment.
The successful candidate will work closely with artists, curators, colleagues and visiting partners while supporting exhibitions from preparation and installation through documentation and evaluation.
Responsibilities
Art Programme and Exhibitions
The Gallery Assistant will:
- Support the planning and delivery of exhibitions, events, workshops and public-engagement activities;
- Work with artists, curators and the Centrala team to deliver the arts programme;
- Research artists and artworks for interpretive materials, reports, press and digital content;
- Help produce, install and maintain wall texts, labels and other exhibition interpretation;
- Assist with exhibition installation and deinstallation, including basic artwork handling and condition checking;
- Support exhibition preparation, documentation and archiving;
- Help maintain gallery spaces and exhibitions to a high standard;
- Contribute ideas and information to funding applications;
- Monitor project expenditure; and
- Contribute to project and funder reports.
Events
The Gallery Assistant will:
- Support Centrala’s events, venue bookings and commercial hires;
- Assist with room set-ups, basic technical preparation and front-of-house delivery;
- Reset and maintain spaces before and after events; and
- Liaise with colleagues, artists, hirers and visiting partners.
Communications and Evaluation
The role will also involve:
- Preparing and distributing promotional materials;
- Supporting website and social media updates;
- Contributing content to newsletters and mailing lists;
- Collecting visitor data and feedback; and
- Maintaining accurate attendance and visitor records.
Visitor Experience and Café
The Gallery Assistant will:
- Welcome visitors and create an inclusive and accessible environment;
- Answer questions about exhibitions, artists, events and Centrala’s activities;
- Support the daily operation of the gallery and café;
- Prepare and serve coffee, other drinks and light refreshments;
- Follow health and safety and food hygiene standards; and
- Keep the gallery, café and public areas clean and well maintained.
Requirements
Applicants should have:
- Experience working in a gallery, arts organisation, cultural venue or another public-facing environment;
- Strong customer-service and communication skills;
- Café or hospitality experience;
- An interest in contemporary art, culture and social issues;
- The ability to work independently and collaboratively within a small team;
- Good organisational skills and attention to detail;
- The ability to manage different responsibilities in a busy environment; and
- Availability to work regular weekends and occasional evenings.
Experience supporting exhibitions, installations, artwork handling, cultural or community events, digital communications, mailing lists or audience evaluation would be advantageous.
Applicants must have an existing legal right to work in the UK. The position is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route.
