Programmer / Curator at The Sherborne

Location: Sherborne, Dorset, UK
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, or part-time, 32 hours per week
Salary: £35,000–£40,000, depending on experience
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer
Application deadline: Not specified

The Sherborne is seeking an imaginative, experienced and highly organised Programmer / Curator to help shape its artistic identity and cultural programme.

Working closely with the Chief Executive Officer and wider team, the successful candidate will develop and deliver a multidisciplinary programme encompassing exhibitions, sculpture, outdoor commissions, performance, artist residencies, talks, literary events, wellbeing and participatory creative activities.

About the Role

The Programmer / Curator will determine what The Sherborne presents, which artists and practitioners it platforms and how its artistic ambitions are realised.

The programme will champion artists living and working across southwest England while presenting their work alongside artists of national and international standing.

The successful candidate will also contribute to Sherborne’s year as Dorset Town of Culture 2027 and the developing ambition for a future Wessex Culture Trail.

A further priority will be activating The Sherborne’s historic Art Room as an accessible and informal space for painting, making, experimentation and creative participation.

Responsibilities

The Programmer / Curator will:

• Develop and deliver The Sherborne’s cultural and artistic programme;
• Curate exhibitions, sculpture projects and outdoor commissions;
• Programme performances, talks, literary events and music;
• Develop artist residencies and participatory creative activities;
• Build relationships with artists and cultural practitioners across the South West;
• Place regional practices in dialogue with national and international artists;
• Contribute to Sherborne’s programme as Dorset Town of Culture 2027;
• Support the development of the proposed Wessex Culture Trail;
• Activate the Art Room through accessible opportunities for making and experimentation;
• Work collaboratively with the Chief Executive Officer and wider team;
• Translate artistic ideas into carefully planned and delivered public experiences; and
• Help define the cultural identity and future direction of the organisation.

Requirements

Applicants should have:

• At least two years of curatorial or programming experience within a gallery, museum, arts centre or comparable cultural organisation;
• A track record of delivering ambitious public-facing cultural projects;
• Strong networks across the arts and cultural sectors;
• Excellent communication and organisational skills;
• The ability to develop creative ideas into practical, well-planned programmes;
• A collaborative and curious approach; and
• An interest in shaping the cultural programme of a growing organisation.

About The Sherborne

The Sherborne is developing a multidisciplinary cultural programme with strong local relevance and national ambition.

Its forthcoming activities will span visual art, performance, literature, music, artist residencies, creative participation and conversations about the natural world. The organisation will also contribute to Sherborne’s designation as Dorset Town of Culture 2027.