V&A Dundee – Curator (maternity cover)

Organisation

V&A Museum of Design Dundee will be the first purpose built design museum in the UK outside London, working to develop understanding of design’s vital place in our lives. The new museum will help to celebrate Scotland’s importance in design and host major exhibitions of outstanding international design that will appeal to the widest public audience and develop understanding of our own and others’ cultural heritage. V&A Dundee will make a national contribution by helping to develop a greater focus on the value of design and innovation, showcase international design, and provide opportunities for future design talent. Fundamental to our purpose is fostering relationships between creative design, business and enterprise.

Role

We are now recruiting for a Curator to take responsibility for the conceptual development, organisation and co- ordination of exhibitions and publications assigned by the Director of Programme, including budgetary management and fundraising.

Our Curators work with a small and busy team on the realisation of projects with designers, lenders and design institutions; delivering historic and contemporary exhibitions and commissions.

As a member of the exhibitions team, the Curator will contribute ideas to the museum’s programme and will be essential to the department’s collegiate work environment. Liaising with other internal departments and with the professional design world, our Curator will be part of one of the most dynamic design environments in Europe.

Duties and Responsibilities Curatorial

Contributing to the delivery of the museum’s curatorial vision by feeding into programming discussions; through the curation of exhibitions; by utilising contacts with designers and organisations; and by using their knowledge of issues in contemporary design and culture
Developing the curatorial argument for designated projects by researching and selecting works, and liaising with designers and external curators
Taking responsibility for the authoring, commissioning, editing and production of specific exhibition catalogues, guides, labels and wall texts in consultation with Learning
Developing installation plans in consultation with the Gallery Manager and Director of Programme
Proposing imaginative ways of providing contextual material for exhibitions and events, print, film, video, etc.
Drawing up exhibition-specific budgets and monitoring and controlling these, ensuring that any variances are communicated in a timely manner
Working with our Philanthropy and Partnerships department (P&P) to deliver written applications to private, public and individually-sourced funders for exhibitions/projects
Supplying information on designated exhibitions to P&P and Audiences and Media (A&M) teams for inclusion in sponsorship proposals, press releases, and information on exhibition lenders,
Working with our Learning team to devise an associated public events programme, delivering talks and taking part in symposia, both organised by the museum and other organisations
Ensuring the proper flow of exhibition information across departments
Representing the museum at networking events, including talks for sponsors, funders, etc.

Organisational

Overseeing loan negotiation and administration, ensuring that all loan conditions are fulfilled, in liaison with the Gallery Manager
Overseeing transport arrangements, including the monitoring of the tendering process to ensure advantageous terms and conditions
Overseeing the adequate insurance of objects through commercial insurance and applications through the Government Indemnity Scheme, and compiling and filing insurance claims in the event of loss or damage of work
Drawing up briefs for designers to procurement stage in consultation with the Gallery Manager
Securing touring venues for projects originated by the museum and overseeing the administration and transport arrangements for exhibitions whilst on tour
Issuing appropriate contracts to partner organisations, artists, curators and authors in consultation with the Director of Programme.
Responding to approaches from outside individuals and organisations

Other

To promote equality and diversity in all aspects of your work by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and with dignity and respect, and actively contributing to developments that support the museum’s strategy for widening access, inclusion and diversity
Deal with any other duties as deemed necessary by the Director of Programme

Person Specification

Further degree in Design History, Theory or Practice, or extensive equivalent experience
Extensive experience of working with designers
Senior curatorial experience in a significant museum or gallery or as an independent curator / exhibition manager
Extensive knowledge of contemporary design, designers and design world networks
Confident public speaker able to represent the museum and its programmes
Proven senior level organisational skills
Ability to work as part of a team and independently, remaining calm under pressure
Excellent communication skills and accuracy in written communication
Impeccable writing skills and proven experience of high-quality contemporary critical writing
Good negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive situations with diplomacy
Experience of managing complex projects and budgets within an organisational context

To apply

This post is offered as maternity cover from 29 October 2017 to 27 October 2019

Salary: £32,000 – £34,000

To read the full role profile / person specification and to apply for this role, please visit: https://jobs.vandadundee.org/curator-maternity-cover/en

V&A Dundee is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.