Curator (Modern & Contemporary Art)

About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week (Monday – Friday with occasional evening and weekend work for public events)

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Closing Date: 17 November 2025

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: Face to Face

This role is subject to:

• 2 References – where possible we require 3 years\’ history.

Manchester City Galleries are seeking a permanent and full‑time curator with experience and specialisms in Modern & Contemporary Art to join the Curatorial Team at an exciting time in our organisation’s development.

Manchester City Galleries manage and care for a 50,000‑strong art and design collection. Your role as Curator (Modern & Contemporary Art) will be to develop and deliver creative approaches to the use of and access to the collection, which ranges from early 20th century to the present, taking in painting, photography, film, installation and new media works.

To do this you will work with colleagues across Manchester City Galleries including other subject specialist curators, learning and engagement, conservation, collections management and visitor engagement teams to ensure the collection is fully documented, cared for and is presented in an engaging and accessible way.

The Curatorial Team is responsible for developing, interpreting and making the collection accessible through exhibitions and displays, online and projects and events with the public, artists and the communities of Manchester. The Curator (Modern & Contemporary Art) will support the strategic ambitions of the organisation in its capacity as a civic art gallery and will work as part of a wider Programming Team to help raise the profile of and engagement with the collection regionally, nationally and internationally.

The candidate will be based at Manchester Art Gallery, with some working at our off‑site stores. Regular working days are Monday – Friday, though there may be occasional evening and weekend working for special events.

See www.manchesterartgallery.org for more information about Manchester City Galleries, the programmes and collections.

About the Candidate

• have experience of working in a gallery or museum.
• have good general subject knowledge relevant to the scope of Manchester City Galleries’ collections of Modern & Contemporary Art.
• be a team player with excellent skills in communication (both written and verbal).
• have good administrative and research skills and be able to organise your own time efficiently.
• have experience of working with collections and a good awareness of museum standards and procedures for collections management and care, including use of databases and experience of facilitating loans in and out.
• be both practical and solutions driven whilst also willing to develop new ideas which will support wider access to the collections in our care.
• have experience of, and commitment to, working creatively and collaboratively with collections, artists and communities and other visual arts organisations locally and nationally.
• contribute to the development of the collecting policy: researching and proposing artworks for the modern & contemporary art collection, with a specific focus on diversifying our collections and responding to historic biases in the collection.
• research and prepare engaging and accessible physical and digital information and other forms of interpretation of artworks to ensure that displays, exhibitions and other provision address a variety of learning styles.
• contribute to developing digital access to Manchester City Galleries’ displays and collections from stories and narratives on the collections database, to the delivery of on‑line events and filmed and recorded talks and tours.
• be able to answer enquiries and facilitate research and study of the modern & contemporary art collection and actively assist gallery users to obtain information about the collections. This includes using collections management systems and physical files to access information, facilitating study visits at both Manchester Art Gallery and Queens Park Conservation Studio, giving talks and guided tours of the exhibitions and collections to the public, HE, FE and adult learner groups as required.
• be able and demonstrate an understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion good practice, and barriers to engagement.

We are holding the following two information sessions about the role:

• Saturday 1 November, 1‑2 pm at Manchester Art Gallery.
• Monday 3 November, 1‑2 pm. Online

Please email Fiona Corridan, Content Lead fiona.corridan@manchester.gov.uk to book a place.

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester is not just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours: We take time to listen and understand, We work together and trust each other, We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly, We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things, We’re proud and passionate about Manchester.

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance – Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension – You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three‑times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave – Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your newborn or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks – Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow – We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member – We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognise three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave – Give back to the community with three days pro‑rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the Accessibility tools button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text‑to‑speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

• Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long‑term condition
• If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate it within the Supporting Statement section of your application.

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability‑friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.

What we will need from you if you\’re successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre‑Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre‑employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work – You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK.
• References – We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications – Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check – A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Proof of Manchester Residency – For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
• Police Vetting – Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance – BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information.
• Driving Licence – If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

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