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 late Spring 2024 focusing on late 19th and 20th century jewellery design and society. The exhibition will be accompanied by a major publication and a wide variety of other events.
We are seeking a Project Curator with proven research, publication and exhibition experience to co-deliver the exhibition and accompanying publication.
Context
We are planning one of our largest ever jewellery exhibitions with a distinctly unique design. It will have mainstream appeal while also giving the opportunity to examine certain narratives of late 19th and 20th century jewellery design and society. There will be a focus on luxurious, and recognisable, iconic jewels of the 20th century.
Purpose of the Job
The exhibition is scheduled for April 2025. We are seeking a practically minded and highly motivated curator with proven research, publication and exhibition experience to co-deliver the exhibition and accompanying publication. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the exhibition Lead Curator and will be supported by V&A colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
- To undertake a wide range of research tasks for the Exhibition as agreed with the Lead Curator. This will include research on subject areas, collections, archives and objects relevant to the exhibition, usually working independently to drive forward exhibition research.
- Contribute to further development of the existing structure, themes and content of the exhibition, identifying and developing specific research subjects as required.
- Co-curate the exhibition object selection and develop and maintain excellent relationships with project stakeholders, taking the lead with internal stakeholders. Identify public and private collections as necessary and, as required, negotiate loans with external lenders and secure in-principle permission to borrow objects.
- With the Lead Curator, encourage debate on the exhibition subject both within and outside the Museum through talks, conferences and other relevant academic platforms. And periodically report progress to the Exhibitions Steering Group and present to the Board of Trustees as required
- In consultation with V&A Publishing and the Lead Curator determine the nature of an accompanying publication. If V&A Publishing produce the publication, work on outline with the Lead Curator, potentially acting as co-editor and contribute to the publication, possibly including the following tasks: contribute essays, compile bibliographies, illustration lists, object checklists, timelines, captions, any relevant end matter. Assist with proof reading and indexing and liaise with contributing authors as required.
- Direct picture research for the Exhibition. Ensure that an Excel spreadsheet is created for tracking permissions and copyrights as needed for contextual images and AV material selected for the exhibition, working closely with the V&A’s Rights Clearance Manager.
- Create and update entries and object movements on the V&A’s Collections Management System, as required
- Work with the Lead Curator on all aspects of briefing and provision of information to the exhibition designers (3d, graphics, lighting and audio-visual software), work collaboratively with the exhibition designers and provide curatorial comments throughout the development of each design stage and during formal sign off periods.
- Write and edit exhibition texts, object labels and others forms of interpretation as agreed with Lead Curator, Proof-read and correct exhibition text throughout various stages through to delivery
- 10. Liaise and work collaboratively with relevant sections of the V&A on behalf of the Lead Curator as and when necessary, including Exhibitions, Learning, Development, Marketing, Press, Digital Media, Events, Commercial and Digital Development and Publications departments. 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
