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- Tasks: Lead and manage the Curatorial Department, overseeing exhibitions and collections development.
- Company: The Fitzwilliam Museum is a renowned institution housing over half a million art pieces.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, a great pension scheme, and opportunities for research leave.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team, make an impact on cultural heritage, and promote diversity in the arts.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in museum management and outstanding research credentials are essential.
- Other info: This role offers a University Professorial appointment with promotion pathways after one year.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The Fitzwilliam Museum welcomes around 500,000 visitors a year and houses over half a million works of art and material culture spanning from 10,000BCE to the present day, principally from Europe, North Africa and Asia. This includes sculpture, ceramics and decorative arts, paintings, drawings, prints, illuminated manuscripts, money, literary and musical autographs and the archives of artists and others.
This role will lead, champion and manage the Curatorial Department – which brings together an interdisciplinary team of (currently) 17 permanent and fixed term curators – to support the key priorities identified in the Museum’s Mission and Business Plan. The role will lead a team in curatorial research and collections development, the curation of exhibitions and displays, and contributions to collections documentation, to support the Museum’s Vision and Mission, the Research & Impact Strategy and the Business Plan.
In addition, you will curate and lead significant research on a specific area of the collection, which could include displays, exhibitions, documentation and collections development. The Museum is seeking applications from individuals specialising in one of the following areas, particularly encouraging approaches that consider the present-day and global relevance of these collections, and how communities connect with these objects and artworks:
- Collections from the Islamic World incorporating the diversity of artistic & material production from those regions from the 7th century CE onwards: the collection is particularly strong in ceramics (Iran, Egypt and Turkey), paintings and manuscripts relating to different faith traditions (especially from Iran and northern India), and money; further collections include textiles and armour.
- European paintings and drawings: significant Italian paintings of the 13th to 18th centuries, 18th-early 20th century French and British paintings, and an internationally renowned collection of Italian, French and British drawings and watercolours.
- Mediterranean & Western Asian antiquities: major collections of Classical Greek and Roman sculpture, ceramics, bronzes, terracottas and jewellery, alongside prehistoric, Mycenean, Minoan and Etruscan material. This includes excavated material from Cyprus and Greece. Western Asian collections include ceramics, palace reliefs from Nineveh and sculptures from Yemen.
You will have a substantial track record in managing teams of specialists in a museum or other relevant context, and be recognised internationally for outstanding research that is excellent in terms of its originality, significance and rigour, and that addresses significant questions. You will have made an impactful contribution to exhibitions, displays and programming, and have secured major research grants with academic and/or other partners. You will be committed to developing new perspectives on the collection and challenging assumptions, embracing collaboration, innovation and participatory approaches to research, and ensuring the curatorial team plays an important role in the Museum’s EDI objectives.
This is a University Professorial appointment (established Academic) entitled to apply for research leave after being in post for three years, with entitlement of one academic term in every six, which can be accrued. The role holder, after one year in post, will be eligible for the University’s Academic Career Pathways promotion scheme.
In return we offer an encouraging and supportive environment both within the Museum and the wider University, generous holiday allowance, an attractive pension scheme and many employee benefits.
Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check and a security check.
Please quote reference DA43449 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
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Contact Detail:
Theartgorgeous Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Curatorial
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the museum and curatorial field. Attend exhibitions, conferences, and seminars related to your area of expertise. Engaging with others in the industry can provide valuable insights and connections that may lead to opportunities at The Fitzwilliam Museum.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with The Fitzwilliam Museum's collections and current exhibitions. Understanding their focus areas, especially in Islamic art, European paintings, and Mediterranean antiquities, will help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your genuine interest in their mission during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by highlighting past experiences where you've successfully managed teams or projects. The role requires strong team management, so be prepared to discuss how you've fostered collaboration and innovation in previous positions.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your research contributions and how they align with the Museum's vision. Be ready to present ideas on how you would develop new perspectives on their collections and engage communities, as this is a key aspect of the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Curatorial
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Head of Curatorial position at The Fitzwilliam Museum. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities, required qualifications, and the specific areas of expertise they are looking for.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience in curatorial work, team management, and research. Emphasise any previous roles that align with the museum's focus areas, such as Islamic art, European paintings, or Mediterranean antiquities.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the museum's mission. Discuss how your background and vision align with their goals, particularly in terms of EDI objectives and innovative approaches to curation.
Include Relevant Achievements: Mention specific achievements in your application, such as successful exhibitions you've curated, research grants you've secured, or collaborative projects that demonstrate your ability to lead and innovate within a curatorial context.
How to prepare for a job interview at Theartgorgeous
✨Showcase Your Curatorial Vision
Prepare to discuss your vision for the Curatorial Department. Highlight how you would lead the team in curatorial research and collections development, and be ready to share innovative ideas for exhibitions that connect with contemporary audiences.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership Skills
Be prepared to provide examples of your experience in managing interdisciplinary teams. Discuss how you foster collaboration and innovation within your team, and how you have successfully led projects that align with a museum's mission.
✨Highlight Research Accomplishments
Emphasise your track record in securing research grants and contributing to impactful exhibitions. Be ready to discuss specific projects that showcase your originality and significance in the field, particularly those that challenge assumptions and embrace diverse perspectives.
✨Engage with EDI Objectives
Understand the Museum’s equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) objectives. Prepare to discuss how you would ensure that the curatorial team plays a vital role in these initiatives, and share any past experiences where you have successfully implemented participatory approaches in your work.
