Curator

The University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global educational institution in Birmingham is seeking a Curator to join the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. The successful candidate will lead and develop engaging exhibitions, work closely with contemporary artists, and enhance the interpretation of our collections. This role offers flexibility and an excellent benefits package, including generous holidays and professional development opportunities. A strong background in the history of art is essential, alongside excellent communication and organizational skills.

Benefits

40 days paid holiday

Occupational sick pay

Pension scheme

Qualifications

• Demonstrable knowledge of an area of the Barber’s collection holdings.
• Experience of working in a museum or art gallery.
• Ability to engage with and curate art exhibitions.

Responsibilities

• Lead curatorial projects and exhibitions.
• Research and develop exhibition content.
• Coordinate with various internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Knowledge of contemporary artists

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Degree in History of Art

Postgraduate qualification in museum studies

Tools

Database software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range 33002 to 35608 with potential progression once in post to 39906

Grade: 6

Full Time Fixed Term contract up to February 2028

Closing date: 1st February 2026

UK and International travel may be required for this role.

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global institution. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector‑leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. We have almost 5000 professional services jobs in a wide range of functions in Edgbaston and our campus in Dubai, giving plenty of opportunities to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who we are and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important to both our employees and the success of the University. Depending on the role we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. The position comes with a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay and a pension scheme. We also have three high‑quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus including main bus routes and a train station on campus. We also have a state‑of‑the‑art sports centre with pool, shops and places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham.

Background

The University

The University of Birmingham is a global institution working within a diverse and vibrant city offering an inspiring education to our students and undertaking critically important research. We are a place of open critical thinking and the creation, sharing and dissemination of knowledge.

The Barber

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is an internationally important art collection, gallery and concert hall housed in a Grade I‑listed Art Deco building located at the heart of the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston campus.

Established in 1932 for the study and encouragement of Art and Music, our mission derives from the far‑sighted vision of our founder, Lady Barber. The Barber uses its world‑class collections to create inspirational opportunities for learning and enjoyment for students, staff and the wider public.

The Barber Institute is one of the UK’s foremost university arts centres and enjoys an international reputation for its art collection, exhibitions and concert programme. Often described as a mini‑National Gallery for the Midlands, its collection includes masterpieces by many of the major names in the history of western art, including Botticelli, Rubens, Vigée‑Le Brun, Turner, Rossetti, Monet, Degas, Renoir and Van Gogh, among others. Its collection of Roman, Byzantine and medieval coins is one of the most important in the world. The Barber team organises a popular and successful programme of exhibitions and displays along with innovative, critically engaged learning and engagement programmes. Access to the Barber’s collections, exhibitions and many of its public programmes is free for all.

The Barber is embarking on a transformation project in 2025/27 and is currently closed to the public. This is an exciting and critical project which will encompass both physical and strategic change transforming the museum. During its closure to the public the Barber will tour its collections nationally and develop new core initiatives that will support its re‑opening and ambitious future.

Role Summary

Do you want to be part of a dynamic and creative team and play a key role in developing and delivering projects that enable our collections to be more relevant through their display and interpretation? Do you enjoy engaging directly with works of art and artists and are you excited by the possibilities of curating, researching and writing?

This is a pivotal role within the Barber Institute’s curatorial team and will suit a candidate who is eager to bring new ideas, enthusiasm and knowledge to the organisation. We are looking to welcome someone to our small team who has experience of working with living artists and a specialism/research interest that extends beyond those existing within the team (existing specialisms include art from Britain, France and US c. 1930‑1960; and British and European paintings and sculpture 1600‑1800) and who would be excited to contribute to re‑interpretation initiatives.

The Curator will lead on all aspects of the successful development, planning and delivery of specific displays and artist projects as well as vital elements of the collections rehang which will re‑imagine and reinterpret our collections, connecting the Barber’s existing and new audiences to research and new narratives. This reflects the Barber’s mission to make its growing internationally significant collections and programmes relevant to people’s lives today as well as being a committed convenor of and collaborator with researchers and communities.

The post holder will be the key point of contact for specific curatorial projects as well as providing support for other exhibitions and displays. These projects include but are not limited to: working directly with artists who are making new works in response to the collection or co‑curating displays with artists and communities; curating displays drawn from the Barber’s extensive works on paper collection and enabling researchers and driving initiatives that enable wider communities to access these collections; researching and developing new interpretation including digital platform content in tandem with the collection rehang; working with the Director and colleagues within the University and region to develop new exhibition projects.

As a member of the Collections team the Curator contributes to the Institute’s public programme and may also contribute to teaching initiatives in collaboration with academic colleagues. They will work with a wide range of internal and external colleagues including curators, artists, external designers, external publishers, lenders, venue partners, contractors and other internal academic departments.

Main Duties

Curation and Research

• Lead or work collaboratively with Barber colleagues on curatorial development of temporary exhibitions, displays and artist projects. This might include researching the work of collection artists or living artists, liaising with artists, external curators and academics on exhibition projects and preparing loan lists.
• Initiate and nurture relationships with contemporary artists, lenders and sector colleagues with a view to working with senior colleagues to commission new work and support artist‑led projects, residencies and interventions.
• Work with senior colleagues to assist with the curation of permanent collection displays ensuring relevance, accessibility and alignment with institutional priorities including digital provisions. Contribute to reinterpretation research writing and new access‑led initiatives within the permanent collection galleries and temporary exhibitions.
• Co‑ordinate and lead the programming of the Print Bays working in collaboration with collection and learning colleagues. Drive forwards initiatives to enable access to the works on paper collections which are housed in their own study space and number 800, and respond to public and academic enquiries concerning the works on paper collection.
• Liaise with learning and marketing colleagues and with designers and printers sourcing quotes, ordering goods and services in line with University of Birmingham financial systems and processes.
• Contribute to research‑led public programme initiatives e.g. leading the organisation of conferences and study days in collaboration with the Learning and Engagement team.
• Deliver short gallery talks and podcasts on featured works of art.
• Contribute where appropriate to teaching within the wider university.

Exhibitions organisation and administration

• Assist the Exhibitions and Loans Manager with all exhibition preparations including sending loan request and acknowledgement letters, maintaining loans lists and assisting with applications for coverage of loans under the Government Indemnity Scheme.
• Work with the Exhibitions and Loans Manager to plan and execute the safe, timely installation of all loans ensuring full compliance with Government Indemnity standards as well as lender and courier specifications.
• Work with the Exhibitions and Loans Manager on the design and build of exhibition display furniture adhering to lender and Government Indemnity requirements.
• Arrange accommodation, travel and per diems for visiting artists, couriers etc.
• Participate in team and programming meetings, taking minutes for exhibition planning meetings.

Interpretation

• Coordinate the timely production of graphics and printed interpretation for internal exhibitions and displays, liaising with external designers and printers.
• Compile information for labels and text panels and write interpretative material for specific displays and exhibitions.
• Research and write interpretative materials for the rehang of the Barber’s collection galleries.
• Research and contribute content to new digital platforms that the Barber is exploring for relaunch.
• Manage and maintain the Barber’s non‑commercial image licences, permissions and usage agreements and liaise with the Bridgeman Picture Library regarding commercial usage.
• Coordinate the acquisition and licensing of images for Barber publications.

Other Duties

• Act as sole courier for loans out, accompanying Barber works of art in transit and installation nationally and internationally as required (training will be provided).
• Assist in the supervision of collections and exhibition interns, placements, volunteers and work‑experience students.
• Represent the Deputy Director: Collections and Research at internal and external meetings as required.
• Be an active and supportive member of the Collections team working together to ensure that the presentation of the galleries is always in immaculate order for visitors to enjoy and, where required, to assist in the movement and packing of works of art.
• Perform any other duties suitable for the post as may be reasonably requested.
• Comply with Health and Safety legislation and ensure appropriate working practices at all times.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in History of Art or a related degree with a strong component of History of Art (incl. contemporary practice) modules or commensurate practical work experience.
• Demonstrable knowledge of an area of the Barber’s collection holdings.
• Demonstrable knowledge of and experience of working with contemporary artists and practices.
• Demonstrable experience of working in a museum or art gallery.
• Understand and advocate for the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace and our programmes.
• Experience of writing research‑informed materials, labels, website content, extended essays.
• Experience in handling works of art.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills with exemplary attention to deadlines and detail.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with colleagues, volunteers and visitors etc.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure and to be flexible and use judgement to prioritise workload.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programmes and database software especially collection management systems.
• Minimum of grade C/4 in Mathematics and English at GCSE or equivalent level 2 qualifications.
• Willingness to undertake further training relevant to remit of post.
• Willingness to work out of hours when acting as a courier or when assisting with events as activities as required.
• The desire to support colleagues in the achievement of their individual and the collective goals and to celebrate others’ success as positively as your own.
• Postgraduate qualification in museum or gallery studies or commensurate practical work experience.
• Experience of working with a wide‑ranging fine art collection.
• Courier experience national and international.

Dimensions

• Supports the management of interns and volunteers under the direction of the Deputy Director of Collections and Research DDCR.
• Supports the purchasing and record of small budget items such as gallery wall texts under the direction of the ELM and DDCR.
• Represents the Barber Institute and disseminates knowledge about its work and collection to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Planning and organising

• Will plan their own workload with support from the DDCR and in collaboration with the Collections teams.
• Will take responsibility for planning their own diary and prioritising their workload working to the strategic priorities of the team (set by the DDCR) and Director.
• Short (one day task and finish) and long‑term (one‑year project for example) planning will be required.
• Responsible for the curatorial and collections research work of the Barber Institute.

Problem solving and decision making

• Role holder will follow museum accreditation procedures for all main areas of collections work and related decision making.
• The role holder will need to make some decisions about their work independently but usually key decisions will be made on collaboration with and reported to the DDCR.
• Required to develop initiatives & approaches proactively rather than just tackling problems as they arise.
• Recommends improvements within own area of work.

Internal and external relationships

• DDCR as line manager and in planning and delivery of work.
• Director.
• Collections team working and collaborating closely with Exhibitions and Loans Manager and with Collections Technician.
• Learning and Engagement team working collaboratively on events for the wider programme.
• Comms and Marketing team working to ensure that the website is updated and that collections and research is presented to the best possible standard.
• External collections colleagues within the wider UOB – including Research and Cultural Collections, Lapworth, Winterbourne, Special Collections; curatorial colleagues within the wider City (BMAG, Grand Union etc). Major Funders Henry Barber Trust, Arts Council, private collectors.
• National and international peers and peer‑organisations.

Employment Data

Employment Type: Full‑Time

Experience: Years

Vacancy: 1

Monthly Salary: 33,002 – 35,608

Key Skills

• Bidding
• Design Management
• Account Management
• Apache Web Server
• Computer Software
• Field

Additional Statements

Use of AI in applications:

We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone.