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- Tasks: Join our Exhibitions Team to create and deliver exciting exhibitions at V&A Dundee.
- Company: V&A Dundee is a leading design museum dedicated to showcasing innovative design and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and a chance to impact diverse audiences.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that values inclusivity and creativity in the world of design exhibitions.
- Qualifications: Strong interest in design, excellent research skills, and experience in project management are essential.
- Other info: This role offers a unique opportunity to engage with the academic and design communities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
V&A Dundee is looking for two highly motivated Curators to join its Exhibitions Team. In this dynamic and rewarding role, you will work creatively and collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders to research, develop and deliver a diverse range of exhibitions, displays and commissions across V&A Dundee's exhibitions programme.
Using your interest in design and rigorous research skills, you will develop strong curatorial narratives for our exhibitions and ensure these are relevant and accessible to V&A Dundee's diverse audiences. You will collaborate with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, and collaborate with the academic and design communities to inform V&A Dundee's approach.
V&A Dundee values the importance of design in achieving inclusive and innovative exhibitions, and you will work closely with exhibition designers to create unique spaces in which our audiences encounter objects and ideas. As an exceptional project manager, you will be responsible for the practical delivery of selected exhibitions, including loan management, exhibition transport and installation arrangements.
Duties and Responsibilities- Undertake curatorial research to inform the development of V&A Dundee exhibitions across a diverse range of design disciplines.
- Develop exhibition concepts for selected exhibitions and ensure key messages align with V&A Dundee's mission and vision.
- Identify and engage a broad range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure a diverse range of voices are heard when shaping curatorial narratives.
- Contribute to the development of V&A Dundee's curatorial vision through team ideation, as well as developing own research and exhibition proposals that reflect V&A Dundee's strategic vision and priorities.
- Author, commission and edit exhibition interpretation, prioritizing access and inclusivity, and engaging the broadest possible audience with V&A Dundee's exhibition programme.
- Develop design briefs for 2D and 3D design for specific exhibitions, embedding current thinking and best practice in exhibition-making.
- Manage design and build schedules and budgets to ensure exhibitions are delivered on time and on budget.
- Manage all practical arrangements, including condition checking, packing, transport, UK Government Indemnity Scheme & insurance cover, couriers and installation / de-installation for specific exhibitions.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across V&A Dundee teams to support the holistic delivery of V&A Dundee exhibitions.
- Manage Registrar activities for specific exhibitions and displays, including negotiation and processing of loan contracts, liaising with lenders over conditions, and managing insurance, display, scheduling and transport arrangements.
- Actively contribute to supporting V&A Dundee's strategies for widening access, inclusion and diversity.
- Respond to external enquiries and seek out ways to provide support or to create connections amongst our peers in the design, curatorial and academic communities.
- Represent the Museum externally through attendance at conferences, talks and events.
- Provide interviews to journalists and broadcasters, provide curator tours of the exhibitions at V&A Dundee for colleagues and external groups.
- Any other duties as deemed necessary by the Head of Exhibitions or Programme Director.
- Ability to contribute to an inclusive, respectful and collegiate workplace through a collaborative, team driven and growth-oriented mindset and working approach.
- A strong interest in design, excellent research skills and a desire to work across a range of subjects and both historical and contemporary design.
- A strong understanding of the 'big picture' of what it means to make an exhibition: from curatorial research through to the exhibition design and build and a desire to lead all aspects of the exhibition development and delivery.
- Ability to work as part of a team and independently, remaining calm under pressure and with a proactive problem-solving approach to issues.
- Evidence of having incorporated diversity and inclusion strategies into programme planning with an awareness of issues of inclusion and cultural diversity as they affect colleagues and the work of a major museum.
- Proven experience of undertaking research and developing a strong curatorial narrative for target audiences.
- Proven experience of lender management, project management and budget management for large scale temporary exhibitions with strong organisational skills.
- Proven experience of having arranged UK Government Indemnity Scheme cover, or commercial insurance cover, in a similar museum or gallery context.
- Extensive experience of working with curators, lenders, designers, artists, build contractors, and transport agents and an ability to secure buy-in across stakeholders.
- A desire to share the work of the Museum with the public and the press and to undertake public speaking responsibilities with the support of press training.
- Ability to manage an internal project team and galvanise colleagues through a shared vision.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills and ability to maintain a professional attitude and handle sensitive situations with diplomacy and tact.
- Impeccable writing skills and proven experience of high-quality critical writing.
- Experience of having developed and delivered exhibitions in a museum context.
- Experience of working with external project managers and quantity surveyors, and of working through RIBA stages for exhibition design and build.
- Experience of having worked on international touring exhibitions.
Curators employer: ASVA: Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions
Contact Detail:
ASVA: Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Curators
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the museum and design sectors. Attend exhibitions, talks, and conferences to meet curators and designers. Building these connections can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with V&A Dundee's current exhibitions and their curatorial approach. Understanding their mission and vision will help you align your ideas and demonstrate your enthusiasm for their work during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your project management skills by discussing past experiences where you successfully managed exhibitions or similar projects. Highlight your ability to handle logistics, budgets, and stakeholder engagement effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would incorporate diversity and inclusion into your curatorial practice. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've done this in the past or how you plan to do it at V&A Dundee.
We think you need these skills to ace Curators
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing your application, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Curator position at V&A Dundee. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with their needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should not only express your enthusiasm for the role but also demonstrate your understanding of curatorial practices and your ability to engage diverse audiences. Use specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your research skills and project management abilities.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, focus on your previous roles related to exhibition development, design, and stakeholder engagement. Be sure to include any experience with managing budgets, loan contracts, and collaboration with various stakeholders, as these are crucial for the role.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Given the emphasis on impeccable writing skills in the job description, consider including samples of your critical writing or exhibition narratives. This will provide evidence of your ability to communicate effectively and create engaging content for exhibitions.
How to prepare for a job interview at ASVA: Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions
✨Show Your Passion for Design
Make sure to express your genuine interest in design during the interview. Discuss specific design disciplines that excite you and how they relate to the exhibitions at V&A Dundee. This will demonstrate your alignment with the museum's mission and vision.
✨Prepare Curatorial Narratives
Before the interview, think about how you would develop strong curatorial narratives for potential exhibitions. Be ready to share examples of past projects where you successfully created engaging stories around exhibits, highlighting your research skills and creativity.
✨Highlight Collaboration Skills
V&A Dundee values collaboration, so be prepared to discuss your experience working with diverse stakeholders. Share specific examples of how you've engaged with internal teams, external partners, and the academic community to create inclusive and innovative exhibitions.
✨Demonstrate Project Management Experience
As a curator, you'll need to manage various aspects of exhibition delivery. Be ready to talk about your project management experience, including budgeting, scheduling, and logistics. Use concrete examples to illustrate your organisational skills and ability to handle pressure.
