Curator of Learning (Fixed Term)

Salary £30,250 – 33,302 per annum depending on experience

Contract Fixed-term

Deadline Sunday 17 August, 11.59pm

This role will oversee and be ultimately responsible for the devising, planning and delivery of learning programme and engagement activity across projects in 2026 and Liverpool Biennial festival in 2027.

Reports to: Director of Programme & Partnerships / Head of Programme and Partnerships (maternity cover)

Responsible for: Learning Assistant, Trainees & Interns, Other project funded roles

In this managerial role, you would ensure ample, diverse and exciting opportunities for residents and visitors alike to participate in, engage with and develop skills and knowledge as part of our projects and festival, including (but not limited to) children and young people, schools, colleges and universities, communities, creative practitioners and more.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Creative Learning and Engagement

• Develop, project manage, and deliver innovative, ambitious, and transformational programmes for creative learning, inspired by the artistic work of Biennial artists, with key audiences: education (schools, colleges, FE and HE), families, communities and artists.
• Work closely with the Director of Programme & Partnerships and LB2027 Co-Curators to ensure organisational commitments to engagement are considered and achieved within Learning Programme planning and outputs.
• Manage a minimum of 3 collaborative commissions between communities and artists per biennial cycle ensuring deep engagement and care for participants and collaborators, and overseeing all aspects of delivery including artist liaison, production (in collaboration with Programme Manager and Production Manager), fabrication and installation.
• Develop and deliver a suite of learning and engagement resources and events, both in person and online including a family / children’s guide, ensuring they align with national curriculum where appropriate.
• Liaise closely and work collaboratively with education and engagement staff within LB partner organisations to devise and deliver joint or associated programming.
• Support LB2027 Curator(s) to devise, recruit for and facilitate a Youth Curators group of children and/or young people. Work to ensure they have a positive and generative experience with ample opportunities for skills development, and that outcomes and learnings from group are embedded into programme planning, delivery and organisational strategy.
• Ensure paid opportunities for local creative practitioners to participate in the delivery of the Learning programme i.e. illustrators, writers, photographers, workshop facilitators, etc.
• Coordinate and deliver supported children’s, young people’s and other group visits to Liverpool Biennial year-round and festival projects, involving and including all tiers of education (primary, further education and Higher Education establishments).

Advocacy and Partnerships

• Develop new relationships and maintain sustained relationships with schools, colleges, early years centres, youth zones and informal education providers across Liverpool and Merseyside. Ensure School and community attendance to Biennial Exhibitions by designing and delivering an exciting engagement programme of free workshops, tours and activities.
• Strengthen networks and liaise with stakeholders and potential partners including schools, galleries, arts professionals, outside agencies, community groups and the public as required. Maintain and update contacts relevant to the education programme on the CRM database.
• Deliver presentations about Liverpool Biennial to community groups, schools, colleges, funders, potential partners and other stakeholders as required.
• Keep abreast of the local, national and international research, policy and landscape for creative education and represent Liverpool Biennial on appropriate forums, meetings and events.
• Contract venues, artists, suppliers etc. for all learning projects.
• Oversee the health & safety of all Learning activity including drafting and signing off of risk assessments and ensuring necessary licensing is in place.
• Lead and ensure the smooth and effective running of the Creative Learning Team (when additional team-members are in post) to ensure that deadlines are met and planning is in place for all aspects of the team’s work. This includes leading on recruitment and subsequent effective line management of Learning Assistant and up to one additional post as required (funding dependent).
• Manage and maintain all budgetary elements of the Learning Programme, including monthly reporting to Director of Programme & Partnerships and Finance team, following Liverpool Biennial’s procurement policy and other administrative financial tasks such as updating budgets, monthly reconciliation, cashflow, raising purchase orders and invoices.
• Ensure projects are efficiently documented and evaluated.
• Work with the Development department to identify funding opportunities and to supply information, text, budgets, and project proposals for funding applications.
• Work with the Marketing & Communications department to ensure appropriate information is circulated about the Learning Programme.
• Act as a named Safeguarding Deputy for LB and ensure that all staff concerned with the learning programme have appropriate certifications (DBS, Safeguarding, First Aid, COSHH etc) and that they act at all times within the guidelines set out by current legislation and the Biennial’s own Safeguarding Policy.
• Actively participate in, and contribute to, Liverpool Biennial’s ED&I group, advocating for Liverpool Biennial’s Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy and Action Plan and ensuring these values are embedded across all learning activity.
• Participate in Management Meetings, to undertake strategic thinking, evaluate risk, problem-solve and create a supportive working culture.
• Ensure effective handover of projects and stakeholder relationships at the end of contract.

General

• Support Director of Programme & Partnerships in the recruitment and training of Liverpool Biennial Festival Guides to ensure a FOH team with the confidence and care to support all our visitors through their visit.
• Support and enable collaborative working with Biennial colleagues through effective communication and attendance at team meetings.
• Produce reports for, attend, and present at Board meetings and sub-groups as required.
• Other duties as required commensurate with the level and nature of the role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Minimum of 3 years working in a similar role
• Experience of audience development and working collaboratively with underserved audiences
• Experience of producing new commissions or artistic projects
• Demonstrable experience in project and budgets management
• High level of proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Demonstrable understanding and experience of Health and Safety and Safeguarding legislation
• Proven team working and line management experience
• Commitment to all aspects of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and the need for Liverpool Biennial to be representative of its community and target audiences
• Commitment to environmental sustainability
• Enhanced DBS certification (or the ability to obtain one)
• Experience in public speaking and other public facing communication skills
• Experience of delivering and/or facilitating workshops or similar
• Experience of working on non-gallery based projects
• Existing networks or links to community groups and/or education groups
• Understanding of, or connection to, Liverpool

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