Monument Trust curator, Contemporary Programming

The British Museum; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A prestigious cultural institution is seeking a part-time Curator for Contemporary Programming. The role focuses on developing and delivering curatorial aspects for contemporary art interventions as part of a project team. Collaborating with external partners and artists is essential, along with managing stakeholder expectations. This position offers a chance to work in a dynamic environment and engage diverse audiences by presenting art that interacts with the permanent collection.

Responsibilities

• Develop concepts for contemporary art interventions.
• Manage expectations and contributions of stakeholders.
• Deliver intellectual content for displays.
• Support public lectures, events, and publications.
• Ensure compliance with museum best practices for loans.
• Lead fundraising activities for the programme.
• Maintain curatorial relationships with partners.
• Deliver presentations reflecting the programme.

Job description

Role Summary

Curator, Contemporary Programming
Part‑time 2 days per week

Prints and Drawings Department
36 month FTCC4C Grade

Main purpose of Job:
To develop and deliver all curatorial aspects for a series of contemporary art interventions and programmes, as part of a project team made up of colleagues from across the Museum. A key part of this role will be to collaborate with external partners, artists and gallery representatives to present new and existing works, many on loan to the Museum, that respond to or are inspired by the BM collection, and that create opportunities for audiences to consider the permanent collection in different ways.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with artists, gallerists, museum colleagues and guest curators to develop concepts for interventions of contemporary art and other contemporary items in the permanent galleries.
• Act as the main point of contact for stakeholders by encouraging, managing and developing their expectations and contributions to the displays and related programmes.
• Manage and contribute, working with other curators and museum teams, to develop and deliver intellectual content for the displays.
• Contribute to and support public lectures/talks, events, publications, promotional activity.
• Liaise with loans team and collections care teams to ensure that any loans or acquisitions are undertaken in line with museum best practice.
• Take the curatorial lead on supporting fundraising activity for the programme.
• Ensure all curatorial workstreams are delivered in line with project schedule.
• Build and sustain the curatorial relationship with key partners and stakeholders.
• Act as a high‑profile advocate for the Museum by developing and delivering presentations reflecting the approved programme in all forums (e.g., project meetings, fundraising, advocacy, promotion) as required.
• Develop and manage opportunities for research to influence the development of contemporary displays, working with contemporary curators across the collections teams.
• Be flexible in responding to changes in the focus of the contemporary programme, as per its development and alignment with Museum priorities and strategy.
• Consider the part contemporary could play in future Western Range galleries.
• Other duties as assigned.