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- Tasks: Gain hands-on experience in curatorial practice across major Scottish institutions.
- Company: Join the National Galleries of Scotland and Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel allowance, and generous benefits package.
- Why this job: Perfect for art enthusiasts eager to make collections accessible and inclusive.
- Qualifications: No prior experience needed, just a passion for art and learning.
- Other info: Structured training and mentoring in a supportive team environment.
The predicted salary is between 22700 - 28400 £ per year.
Art Fund Vivmar Curatorial Traineeship
Full-time
Fixed Term for 22 months (November 2025 until August 2027)
Salary £27,363 – £28,491 (pay award pending)
Plus generous benefits
About the role
We’re offering a unique opportunity to take your first steps into the museum and gallery world through a new Curatorial Traineeship. You don’t need previous experience working in an art gallery, or even a degree in art history. What matters most is an interest in art, an openness to learning, and a passion for making collections accessible and inclusive.
The National Galleries of Scotland is delighted to partner with Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums in hosting this traineeship. Art Fund Vivmar Curatorial Traineeships are generously supported by The Vivmar Foundation.
The traineeship offers a chance to gain in-depth, hands-on experience across two major Scottish institutions. It is designed to support those who are eager to build a career in curatorial practice, especially individuals from diverse or marginalised backgrounds who may not have previously considered working in the arts.
You will receive structured training in curatorial skills, including practical development in collection management software. Our strong team culture will provide you with guidance, mentoring and ongoing support as you build confidence in working with collections and engaging diverse audiences.
You will spend 16 months based in Edinburgh with the National Galleries of Scotland. From March 2027 you will transfer to Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums for 6 months, with your time split between the Aberdeen Art Gallery and Aberdeen Treasure Hub. There is a travel and accommodation allowance to support the varied locations of this traineeship.
More information about Art Fund and its work can be found at www.artfund.org
The difference you’ll make
At the National Galleries of Scotland you will help deliver key strategic priorities, in particular Equity, Diversity and Inclusion commitments, in relation to the national collection and audience engagement. You’ll have the opportunity to work across the Modern & Contemporary Art and Portraiture & Photography Curatorial teams. Your main focus will be on collaboration across these collection areas (1900 to present day) and related audience-focused outputs.
Playing an active role across our Curatorial teams, your duties will focus on:
- Supporting programme planning and delivery for exhibitions at the Portrait and Modern One, particularly working with living artists.
- Working across our day-to-day curatorial activity, including cataloguing and provenance research, and contributing to the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Review of our collection.
- Undertaking projects or responsibilities as delegated by senior colleagues which will change from time to time.
- Experiencing the work across our organisation through collaboration with other teams including Learning & Engagement, Research, Conservation and Collections Management, Digital, and Marketing and Communications.
With Aberdeen Archives, Gallery and Museums your duties will focus on:
- Providing project support and delivery. This will involve an on-going artist self-portrait commissioning project and re-display of the Art Gallery’s portraiture gallery.
- Undertaking research to improve the identification of sitters and supporting figures, and currently unidentified artists within the portraiture collection. This will enhance the museum’s database records.
- Being involved in the identification of future artists for the commissioning of works to enhance the diversity of the portraiture collection, as well as supporting artists already involved in this work.
- Supporting the development of and helping to guide the direction of a co-creation project to re-imagine the current Aberdeen Art Gallery portraiture gallery.
Who we are looking for
To succeed in this role, you’ll need the following range of knowledge, skills, and experience:
- Ability to collaborate as part of a team and to work flexibly and calmly under pressure.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and communicate effectively with colleagues across the organisation.
- A flexible and proactive attitude, able to adapt to different working environments and manage competing priorities calmly and efficiently.
- Good organisational skills with strong attention to detail, especially accuracy in record keeping, data input, and handling collections or exhibition tasks.
- A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and an interest in making museums and galleries more welcoming and representative of different communities.
- A demonstrable interest in visual art, culture, or heritage through personal experience, voluntary activity, education, or self-directed learning.
- Willingness to learn, ask questions, and take on new challenges with support.
It would also be great if you have
- Although not essential, experience of working or volunteering in a museum, gallery, library, archive, or cultural organisation would be an advantage.
- Knowledge or lived experience that brings fresh perspective to under-represented stories or voices in museums and galleries.
- Some experience supporting projects, events, or exhibitions in any context (e.g. school, community, digital platforms).
- Research or writing skills, particularly if you’ve used them to explore themes of art, history, identity, or storytelling.
- Familiarity with using digital tools or social media to share ideas or connect with audiences.
Click Apply for more information.
The closing date for completed applications is 12 noon on Monday, 15 September 2025.
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Curatorial Traineeship employer: National Galleries of Scotland
Contact Detail:
National Galleries of Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Curatorial Traineeship
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the art world, attend exhibitions, and join online forums. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect traineeship.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for art and curatorial work shine through. Share your ideas and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisations you're applying to. Know their collections, recent exhibitions, and their commitment to diversity and inclusion. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you along the way, so make sure you take advantage of everything we offer to boost your chances of landing that traineeship.
We think you need these skills to ace Curatorial Traineeship
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Art: When writing your application, let your love for art shine through! Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your interest in visual art, culture, or heritage. We want to see your enthusiasm and how it connects to the role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your teamwork abilities and any relevant projects you've been involved in. This shows us you’re serious about the traineeship!
Be Yourself: Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your writing. We value authenticity and want to get to know the real you. Share your unique perspective and how it can contribute to making museums more inclusive and welcoming.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about us and what we stand for before applying.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Galleries of Scotland
✨Know Your Art
Brush up on your knowledge of modern and contemporary art, especially the collections at the National Galleries of Scotland. Familiarise yourself with key artists and movements, as well as current exhibitions. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you engage in meaningful conversations during the interview.
✨Show Your Passion for Inclusion
Since the role emphasises equity, diversity, and inclusion, be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to these values. Think of examples from your own experiences where you've promoted inclusivity or engaged with diverse communities. This will demonstrate that you align with the organisation's mission.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few insightful questions about the traineeship and the teams you'll be working with. Inquire about their current projects or how they measure success in audience engagement. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
✨Be Ready to Collaborate
The role requires strong teamwork skills, so think of examples where you've successfully collaborated with others. Whether it's in a school project, volunteer work, or any group activity, be ready to share how you contributed to the team's success and how you handle challenges together.