The Vacancy
Please note, we have three Summer Exhibition Assistant positions available, all of which are being offered on a fixed term contract basis (1x 18 months, 1x 8 months and 1x 4 months).
About This Role
An essential part of the London art calendar, the Royal Academy of Arts’ Summer Exhibition is the largest open contemporary art exhibition in the world, drawing together a wide range of new and recent work by established and emerging artists. In preparation for the Summer Exhibition 2026 we are now looking for Summer Exhibition Assistants to support the team in all aspects of the organisation and delivery of the Summer Exhibition 2026, and to assist with the selling of artworks throughout the exhibition.
About You
The successful candidate will be a team player who is genuinely friendly and helpful, with excellent communication skills, and a flexible ‘can‑do’ approach to working. You will be computer literate, with knowledge of databases and an exceptional eye for detail, along with first‑class customer service skills. Sales experience would be advantageous. Demonstrable knowledge of the Summer Exhibition and the ethos of the Royal Academy is highly valued. Occasionally this role will be required to work outside of usual working hours, so a willingness to work additional hours and assist at morning and evening events for a limited period is expected.
The Company
The RA dates way back to 1768 when a group of artists and architects persuaded King George III to help them to ‘establish a society for promoting the Art of Design’. The original academy, in Pall Mall, was less than 10 metres long. Since then, there have been many changes, though the RA’s core purpose of bringing art and design to a broad audience and championing art and artists still holds true. Today we are a contemporary art organisation hosting internationally acclaimed exhibitions and through investment in employee training and development, with courses such as Unconscious Bias, LGBTQ+ Awareness, Bystander, and Mental Health First Aid training, we are striving to foster a safe space for everyone through positive action. We also have Employee Network Groups, Ways In Groups, and an Employee Council so every employee has a voice and a way to feel heard by colleagues through the CEO. The RA is truly a unique place, both as an attraction to our visitors, but also as a workplace. Our people are at the heart of all we do, and we support a broad and inspiring mix of departments; from exhibitions, curators, art handlers, researchers, publishers, and digital to schools and education, visitor welcome, fundraisers, and corporate support.
The Benefits
- Exhibitions
- Reciprocal Agreements with galleries across the UK
- Enhanced Pension
- Generous employer contributions
- Enhanced Holiday
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- Wellbeing
- Access to a virtual GP Service and Mental Health First Aiders
- Agile Working
- The opportunity to work flexibly
- RA Staff Council
- Where your views are heard and listened to
- Employee Clubs
- Football, Staff Choir and more
