Curator

Location:  University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £33,002 to £35,608 with potential progression once in post to £39,906

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to February 2028

Role summary

Do you want to be part of a dynamic and creative team and play a key role in developing and delivering projects that enable our collections to be more relevant through their display and interpretation? Do you enjoy engaging directly with works of art and artists, and are you excited by the possibilities of curating, research and writing?

This is a pivotal role within the Barber Institute’s curatorial team and would suit a candidate who is eager to bring new ideas, enthusiasm and knowledge to the organisation. We are looking to welcome someone to our small team with experience of working with living artists and a specialism/research interest that extends beyond those existing within the team (existing specialisms include art from Britain, France and US c. 1930-1960; and British and European paintings and sculpture, 1600-1800), and who would be excited to contribute to re-interpretation initiatives.  

The Curator will lead on all aspects of the successful development, planning, and delivery of specific displays and artists projects as well as vital elements of the collections rehang, which will reimagine and reinterpret our collections, connecting the Barber's existing and new audiences to research and new narratives. This reflects the Barber's mission to make its growing internationally significant collections and programmes relevant to people’s lives today as well as being a committed convenor of, and collaborator with, researchers and communities.

The postholder will be the key point of contact for specific curatorial projects, as well as providing support for other exhibitions. These projects include, but are not limited to: working directly with artists who are making new works in response to the collection, or co-curating displays with artists and communities; curating displays drawn from the Barber’s extensive works on paper and enabling researchers and driving initiatives that enable wider communities to access these; researching and developing new interpretation, including digital platform content in tandem with the collection rehang; working with the Director and colleagues within the University, and region, to develop new exhibition projects.

Person Specification

• Degree in History of Art or a related degree with a strong component of History of Art (inc. contemporary practice) modules, or commensurate practical work experience.
• Demonstrable knowledge of an area of the Barber’s collection holdings.
• Knowledge of, and experience of working with, contemporary artists’ practices.
• Experience of working in a museum or art gallery.
• Understand and advocate for the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace and our programmes.
• Experience of writing research-informed materials – labels, website content, extended essays.
• Experience in handling works of art.
• Organisational and administrative skills, with exemplary attention to deadlines and detail.

Informal enquiries can be made to Robert Wenley  r.m.g.wenley@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working

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