Recruitment. Assistant Curator. Salary: 24,000 Reporting to: Director of Exhibitions

Transcription

1 Recruitment Assistant Curator Salary: 24,000 Reporting to: Director of Exhibitions The Organisation Opening in 2018, V&A Museum of Design Dundee will be the only V&A museum anywhere in the world outside London. It will be the first ever dedicated design museum in Scotland: an international centre for design, a place of inspiration, discovery and learning. V&A Dundee will present the largely untold story of Scotland s outstanding design achievements, bringing together in one place the world-renowned V&A collections with loans from other collections in Scotland and beyond to allow everyone to understand and be inspired by this important design heritage. These collections will be accompanied by international touring exhibitions from the V&A, making Dundee the only location in the UK outside London to receive these globally significant exhibitions. In addition, V&A Dundee will also originate its own exhibitions. V&A Dundee will be the first building in the UK designed by Kengo Kuma, the internationally renowned architect who is also designing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium. His vision is for the museum to be a new living room for the city, welcoming everyone to visit, enjoy and socialise, and to reconnect the city with its historic River Tay waterfront. Exhibitions Department The Exhibitions Department realises the ambitious programme of temporary exhibitions and commissions across the Museum. It will celebrate Scotland s importance in design as well as showcase major exhibitions of outstanding international design. The temporary exhibitions programme will stage three exhibitions per year including touring exhibitions from V&A and those originated by the V&A Dundee team. The programme is devised by the Director of Exhibitions in discussion with colleagues in the Exhibition, Learning, Audiences and Development departments.

2 Exhibitions are accompanied by publications, a dedicated public programme and limited edition works. The Department consists of two curators, two assistant curators and a gallery manager. Role The Assistant Curator works with a small and busy team on the realisation of projects with designers, lenders and design institutions; delivering modern and contemporary exhibitions and commissions, including the organisation of transport and insurance; registrarial duties; and the production of publications. The Assistant Curator will work on the delivery of several projects concurrently, including historic and contemporary exhibitions from UK and international collections. As a member of the Exhibitions team, the Assistant Curator contributes ideas to the Museum s programme, is essential to the department s collegiate work environment and liaises with other internal departments and with the professional design world, in one of the most dynamic design environments in Europe. Duties and Responsibilities General Provide support to the Exhibitions Department, from the research and development stage of a project through to its realisation Liaise with designers and their representatives, design organisations and funders Liaise with all V&A Dundee and V&A London departments including Communications, Learning, Development and Visitor Services to secure a smooth flow of information Monitor and maintain budgets for specific exhibitions and exhibition catalogues meticulously and in timely fashion. This includes obtaining estimates, raising purchase orders, processing invoices, maintaining digital and physical budget files and liaising with the Finance Department and budget holders Contribute to the development of the structure, themes and content of the exhibition Manage trainees, interns and other freelance employees as well as supervise departmental work placements

3 Registrar Research loans and liaise with the Curators to prepare loan documentation, administer loan requests and ensure loan conditions are fulfilled Compile condition and packing reports to museum standard, keeping records of movement and conditions of works and liaise with conservators and couriers when necessary Organise exhibition related transport, which includes updating shipping lists, obtaining estimates of costs, and monitoring customs documentation, liaising with shippers and the exhibition Curator Coordinate the insurance of objects, either commercially or through the Museums and Galleries Government Indemnity Scheme, and compile and file insurance claims in the event of loss or damage Oversee the administration and transport arrangements for specific exhibitions on tour and act as courier for touring exhibitions when necessary Exhibitions organisation and administration Arrange accommodation, travel and per diems for visiting designers, couriers etc. Assist the production of catalogues and limited editions To be responsible for the management of the documentation of objects, both electronic record creation and compilation of gallery reference materials. Collate and copy-edit texts; research, request, store and return images and obtain copyright permissions for use in publications and communication materials, including website Compile information for labels and text panels, write interpretative material for the exhibition guide, website and exhibition where applicable Compile exhibition guest lists in collaboration with Development and Communications Manage exhibition contacts on database and private view/ dinner pro formas Deal with routine enquiries, maintain the collection management system and process responses to exhibition proposals with other members of the exhibitions team Issue contracts to partner organisations, artists, curators and authors in consultation with the Department Maintain files and correspondence as well as archiving past exhibition files Assist with private views and other V&A Dundee events including speaking at events where appropriate

4 Other To promote equality and diversity in all aspects of your work by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and with respect/ dignity and actively contributing to developments that support the museum s strategy for widening access, inclusion and diversity. Represent the V&A Dundee at public events, meetings and networking on behalf of the organisation Any other duties as requested by the Line Manager Person Specification Essential Degree in Design History, Theory or Practice, History of Art or extensive equivalent experience Minimum of three years experience of arts administration, especially international shipping, insurance and customs Experience with the care and handling of objects, including condition reporting and packing procedures Excellent organisation skills and impeccable attention to detail Good proven computer skills with experience of Microsoft Office, and Excel Ability to work as part of a team and independently, remaining calm under pressure, and to quickly find your feet in a fast-paced work environment Experience of publishing in print and/or online Excellent communication and accuracy in written communication Good writing skills Good negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive situations with diplomacy Desirable A good knowledge of contemporary design practices and debates Experience of working with designers

5 How to apply To apply please send a letter of application giving clear examples of your experience in relation to the job description (2 sides A4) and your CV to: Sophie McKinlay V&A Museum of Design Dundee, or sophie.mckinlay@vandadundee.org Deadline for applications: 5pm, Friday 23rd June Interviews will be held on Tuesday 4th July V&A Dundee is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.