At a Glance
- Tasks: Curate and engage with the world’s leading dance collections through research and exhibitions.
- Company: Join a prestigious museum with a vibrant curatorial team.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension contributions, life assurance, and discounts at major retailers.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional growth and creativity.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the dance community while developing your expertise in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Postgraduate degree or relevant experience in dance or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a permanent Curator of Dance (0.8 FTE). You will form part of the ten-strong curatorial team responsible for the care, research, display and interpretation of the Theatre and Performance Collections, and will contribute to the wider curatorial work of 36 curators in the Department of Performance, Furniture, Textiles and Fashion. The role combines object-focused collections work with participation in exhibitions, gallery displays and public programmes, and offers a significant opportunity to develop specialist knowledge of one of the world’s leading dance collections.
The Curator of Dance role is rooted in direct engagement with the collection. A significant proportion of your work will involve object-based activity, including cataloguing, collections research and contributing to the development and care of the collections. Alongside this, the role will involve project work such as contributing to displays and the V&A’s annual Performance Festival. You will work closely with curatorial colleagues and the Theatre & Performance Archivist to ensure that both object and archive collections relating to dance are appropriately developed, interpreted and made accessible.
Who are we looking for?
- A keen interest and passion for contemporary dance and a willingness to learn about other dance practices and histories of dance in the UK.
- You will be expected to represent the entirety of the V&A’s dance collections, whilst also being an expert in your specific field.
- A postgraduate degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field to the role, e.g. dance practice, journalism, design for dance, performance, choreography, etc.
- A passion for working in museums and caring for physical objects.
- Experience of handling objects with care and sensitivity to their physical properties and an awareness of museum catalogues and cataloguing software/systems.
- A demonstrable interest in, and enthusiasm for, telling stories about objects and collections through temporary and permanent displays, exhibitions, films, events, digital projects, social media, publications and learning and engagement.
- A track record of having contributed to research and content development of any of the following: displays, experiences, programmes, exhibitions, festivals, publications, productions, performances and events.
- Ability to communicate knowledge of specialist field to a range of audiences while maintaining high scholarly standards; good writing and presentation skills, with sound knowledge of English grammar and syntax.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a diplomatic manner; ability to collaborate as part of a team, to progress a variety of projects simultaneously and to work flexibly and calmly under pressure.
- Practical and organisational skills: meticulousness, a keen attention to detail in all aspects of work.
- Demonstrates flexibility and is able to prioritise and multi-task with excellent project management skills.
- Shares our Values of Sustainability, Equity, Creativity, Collaboration & Generosity.
What’s in it for you?
- 29 days of holiday + public holidays each year
- 5.5% employee pension contribution, 10% employer pension contribution (post-probation)
- Life assurance scheme (to value of 4 x annual salary)
- Family-friendly policies e.g. enhanced maternity + paid carers leave
- Free sanitary products for all employees across our sites
- Free entrance to many major museums and exhibitions
- Benefits platform offering discounts at major retailers
- Many more
Full job description and list of benefits on our website.
Curator of Dance employer: Victoria and Albert Museum
Join a vibrant and inclusive team at one of the world's leading cultural institutions, where your passion for contemporary dance will thrive. As a Curator of Dance, you will enjoy a supportive work culture that values creativity, collaboration, and professional growth, alongside generous benefits such as 29 days of holiday, substantial pension contributions, and family-friendly policies. This role not only allows you to engage deeply with a remarkable collection but also offers unique opportunities to contribute to exhibitions and public programmes, making a meaningful impact in the arts community.
Contact Details:
Victoria and Albert Museum Recruitment Team
