At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team to plan and deliver the Open House Festival, engaging young audiences.
- Company: Open City, a charity focused on making the built environment accessible and equitable.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience in event management and curation while connecting with your community.
- Other info: Perfect opportunity for those aged 18-30 looking to make an impact in their community.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting festival that celebrates London and empowers local voices.
- Qualifications: Passion for events, strong communication skills, and a connection to Lewisham.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Lewisham Young Curator will join a small team that runs the Open House Festival, an annual, London-wide built environment festival, as part of the charity Open City. They will support the planning, marketing and delivery of the festival, with a particular focus on engaging a younger audience in the borough of Lewisham. Open House Festival 2026 will take place 12-20 September. Applicants should be aged between 18 and 30, and must be able to demonstrate a connection to Lewisham.
About Open City: Open City is a charity empowering communities to learn about, experience, and have a role in shaping places where they live. Our mission is to make the built environment more open, accessible, and equitable. We do this through:
- Our flagship event Open House Festival, opening up and celebrating London and its communities each September
- A year-round young people’s programme which includes city-making workshops at primary (Young City Makers), secondary (Accelerate Studios) and SEND schools (It’s My City Too!), as well as our pre-university mentorship programme Accelerate for young people traditionally excluded from architecture in London and now Birmingham
- A year-round programme of events, podcasts and tours to democratise public knowledge about cities and the way we live in them
- Supporting, growing and cultivating dialogue across a network of over 60 cities from Lagos to New York through Open House Worldwide
As Lewisham Young Curator, you will be responsible for:
- Working with the Open House Festival team and with Lewisham Council to build the Open House Festival 2026 programme in Lewisham, with an emphasis on encouraging buildings to run/host hands-on activities during the festival, including contacting and onboarding specific sites into the Lewisham Neighborhood
- Curating a collection of festival activities in Lewisham, including selecting images and writing an introduction
- Recording video reels of selected sites from the festival programme, for use on social media to promote individual activities in Lewisham, the collection and the Lewisham Neighbourhood
- Attending key Open House Festival 2026 events (launch in July, stakeholder event, Lewisham events during the festival in September)
Knowledge, skills and experience: Applicants should:
- Have an interest in festivals and/or event management and/or curation
- Be able to demonstrate strong organisational and communication skills
- Have an interest in and experience of using social media
- Have a passion for the built environment
- Be a Lewisham resident (desirable) or have a connection to Lewisham (essential)
Our commitment to diversity: As part of our ambitions to improve equality and diversity, we welcome applications for this role from those who identify under any of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, which include race, age, disability, gender, religion or belief, and sexual orientation; and, from those who identify as working class.
Lewisham Young Curator - Open House Festival employer: Creative Lives in Progress
Open City is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, dedicated to empowering communities and engaging young people in the built environment. As a Lewisham Young Curator, you will not only contribute to the impactful Open House Festival but also benefit from opportunities for personal growth and professional development within a supportive team. Located in the heart of Lewisham, this role offers a unique chance to connect with your community while making a meaningful difference in how people experience their surroundings.
Contact Details:
Creative Lives in Progress Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lewisham Young Curator - Open House Festival
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Open House Festival and its vibe! Dive into their past events, check out their social media, and understand what makes them tick. This way, when you chat with the team, you can show off your knowledge and passion for the festival.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to people involved in the festival or similar events. Attend local meet-ups or workshops related to event management and curation. Building connections can open doors and give you insider info on what they’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! Think about how you can engage a younger audience in Lewisham. Prepare some fresh ideas for activities or marketing strategies that could make the festival pop. Bring these ideas to the table during interviews or chats!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and contributing to the amazing work at Open City.
We think you need these skills to ace Lewisham Young Curator - Open House Festival
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your enthusiasm for festivals and the built environment! Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your interest. This is your chance to shine, so make it personal!
Connect with Lewisham:Since a connection to Lewisham is essential, don’t forget to mention how you relate to the borough. Whether it's through your residency or community involvement, make sure we know why Lewisham matters to you.
Be Organised:Demonstrate your organisational skills in your application. Use clear headings, bullet points, and concise language to make it easy for us to read. A well-structured application shows us you mean business!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Creative Lives in Progress
✨Know Your Festival Stuff
Make sure you’re clued up about the Open House Festival and its mission. Familiarise yourself with past events, especially those that engaged younger audiences. This shows your genuine interest and helps you connect your ideas to their goals.
✨Show Off Your Organisational Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed projects or events in the past. Whether it’s a school project or a community event, be ready to discuss how you planned, executed, and evaluated your work. This will highlight your organisational prowess.
✨Get Social Media Savvy
Since the role involves promoting activities on social media, come prepared with ideas on how to engage Lewisham's youth online. Think about platforms they use and what kind of content resonates with them. Share your own experiences with social media campaigns if you have any!
✨Connect with Lewisham
Demonstrate your connection to Lewisham during the interview. Whether it’s through personal stories, local knowledge, or community involvement, showing your passion for the borough will resonate well with the interviewers and align with their mission.
