Curator of Prints (1400-1885)

British Museum; City Of London; On-site; GBP 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent cultural institution in the UK seeks a Curator of Prints to oversee and promote its extensive collection of historical prints. You will lead exhibitions, engage with the public, and support educational initiatives. Ideal candidates will have a degree in art history and proven curatorial experience. This full-time position offers competitive pay and generous benefits.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Membership of the civil service pension scheme

Free entry to museums worldwide

Interest-free loans

Training and professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• A proven track record of publishing and presentations in English.
• Ability to engage and inspire broad audiences.
• Experience in maintaining online records.

Responsibilities

• Lead print research and exhibitions.
• Assist public and scholarly enquiries.
• Devise exhibitions related to the Museum's print holdings.

Skills

Museum curatorial experience

Excellent communication skills

Research flair

Knowledge of print techniques and history

Education

Degree in art history or history

Job description

Curator of Prints (1400-1885) | Prints and Drawings | Full‑time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break) | Permanent | £44,719 per annum | Application deadline: 12pm (midday) on Monday 24 November 2025

About the role

The British Museum's collection of Western prints is one of the world's richest and most varied, featuring superlative holdings by the most renowned printmakers such as Dürer, Rembrandt and Hogarth.

As Curator of Prints, you will lead transhistorical and transnational print research and exhibitions while also supporting and collaborating with colleagues on print‑related projects across Prints and Drawings' collection. You will plan an active part in the public and administrative duties of the department, including fundraising and assisting in the Study Room where necessary. The role would also include engagement with the wider Museum to contribute and support its Masterplan.

Key areas of responsibility

• Assist with public and scholarly enquiries relating to the collection.
• Share specialist knowledge in an enthusiastic, engaging and inspiring fashion to broad audiences as and when necessary (for the public, patrons, school or university groups, and colleagues from other institutions).
• Maintain, update and improve around 400,000 online records for more than a million prints in collaboration with other curators in Prints and Drawings.
• Devise exhibitions wholly or in part related to the Museum's print holdings.
• Be involved in fundraising and provide curatorial support to the Museum's corporate and private patrons and supporters.
• Play a full part in everyday Departmental administration and participate in museum‑wide projects and activities.

About you

• A good degree in art history, history or equivalent experience.
• A proven track record of publishing and presentations in English.
• A sound knowledge of the techniques and history of prints.
• Museum curatorial experience that has demonstrated a flair for research, including some publication history in a relevant field. Also, some previous experience as a museum curator.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work well in a team.

For more information about this role, please see the job description.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave allowance of 25 days (rising to 30 days after long service) plus 2.5 privilege days, in addition to bank holidays.
• Membership of the civil service pension scheme.
• Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions all over the world.
• Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators from around the world and behind‑the‑scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their extraordinary collections.
• Interest‑free travel, bicycle and rental deposit loans.
• Wide range of training and professional and personal development opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Subsidised staff canteen and discounts on gift shop purchases.

Our Values

• Care Deeply
• Embrace the Unknown
• Spark Curiosity
• Value Many Voices

Additional details

If you have any additional needs that we should be aware of to support you with your application, please provide details.

The British Museum is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all employees and job applicants. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. We value the benefits that a diverse workforce brings to a museum which represents world culture. The Museum is committed to ensuring that no job applicant suffers unlawful discrimination because of any protected characteristics. Our recruitment procedures aim to ensure that individuals are treated in line with their relevant knowledge, skills and experience.

The Museum also adheres to the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) for pre‑employment screening of Civil Servants.

National Museum Directors' Council, National Museums Liverpool, World Museum, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN