Curatorial Programme Assistant, Live Programme

V&A Museum of Childhood; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cultural institution is seeking a Curatorial Programme Assistant to contribute to innovative live events and public programs. This role focuses on collaboration and creativity, inviting applicants with diverse backgrounds, particularly from local communities. The successful candidate will assist in developing contemporary art engagements and support the ongoing evolution of the cultural landscape at the institution. This is an exciting opportunity to learn and contribute to defining new museum experiences.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

29 days plus bank holidays

Flexible working

Tickets to V&A exhibitions

Subsidised staff canteen

25% discount in V&A shops

Give as you earn scheme

Bicycle loan

Interest-free season ticket

Interest-free rental deposit loan

Free safety checks and small repairs to your bike

Wide range of training and professional development opportunities

Employee assistance programme

Staff diversity networks

Qualifications

• Transferable skills related to contemporary art, design, and performance.
• Interest in how live programming can enhance museum experiences.

Responsibilities

• Assist in shaping live events and public programs.
• Support the Contemporary Programme Curator.
• Contribute ideas and learn through hands-on experience.

Skills

Curiosity

Organizational skills

Creativity

Collaborative spirit

Job description

Salary £28,520 – £32,952

Location Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London

This is a Permanent, Full Time vacancy that will close in 23 days at 23:59 GMT.

The Role

We’re looking for a curious, organised and creatively minded Curatorial Programme Assistant to join V&A East at a truly pivotal moment. Working closely with the Contemporary Programme Curator, you’ll help shape and deliver live events, performances and public programmes across V&A East Storehouse and the future V&A East Museum. From working directly with artists to supporting ambitious live events in the galleries, this role offers hands‑on experience at the heart of contemporary curatorial practice.

This is a varied and developmental role for someone excited by contemporary art, design and performance, and interested in how live programming can transform how people experience museums. You’ll be part of a small, ambitious team experimenting with new formats, new voices and new ways of working – learning as you go and contributing ideas along the way.

You don’t need a conventional museum background. We’re keen to hear from people with transferable skills, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit, who want to help build something new.

With the Storehouse now open and the Museum opening in 2026, this is a rare opportunity to join V&A East as it takes shape – and to help define what live programming can be in a new cultural institution.

For Full Details, please read the attached job description.

We particularly welcome applications from those living in, or with strong connections to, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest, to help build V&A East for and by local communities.

The V&A

The V&A is the world’s leading museum of art and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.8 million objects, books and archives that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. The museum holds many of the UK’s national collections and houses some of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance.

Our mission is to be recognised as the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance, and to enrich people’s lives by promoting research, knowledge and enjoyment of the designed world to the widest possible audience. We strive to make the V&A matter to more people, and in that context we work toward the following six strategic objectives:

• To create a world‑class visitor and learning experience across all V&A sites and collections.
• To focus and deepen the relevance of our collections to the UK creative and knowledge economy.
• To expand the V&A’s international reach, reputation and impact.
• To operate with financial and organisational initiative and efficiency.
• To showcase the best of digital design and deliver an outstanding digital experience.
• To diversify and increase private and commercial funding sources.

The Benefits

• Generous pension scheme
• 29 days plus bank holidays
• Flexible working
• Tickets to V&A exhibitions
• Subsidised staff canteen
• 25% discount in V&A shops
• Give as you earn scheme
• Bicycle loan
• Interest‑free season ticket
• Interest‑free rental deposit loan
• Free safety checks and small repairs to your bike with Doctor Bike
• Wide range of training and professional development opportunities
• Employee assistance programme
• Staff diversity networks

ED&I at The V&A

At The V&A, we are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) for all and strive to go above and beyond public duty placed upon us by the Equality Act 2010. As such, we are delighted to share that we are a Disability Confident Employer Level 2. The V&A makes the following commitments to all applications:

• The Disability Confident Employer scheme offers guaranteed interviews – interviewing applicants with a disability who successfully evidence the essential criteria on a person specification and consider them on their abilities;
• Providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.
• Making reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process so disabled job applicants have the best opportunity to demonstrate that they can do the job.
• Supporting employees and adjustments during employment.