Whitworth Curatorial Fellow

The University of Manchester; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 23,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fantastic pension scheme

Employee health and wellbeing services

Excellent annual leave entitlement

Additional paid Christmas closure

Local and national discounts

Job summary

The University of Manchester invites applications for the Whitworth Curatorial Fellow, a paid traineeship developed to widen access to curatorial careers in the visual arts. The role centers on the Whitworth Musgrave Kinley Outsider Art Collection and offers wider curatorial experience within the Whitworth’s Collections and Exhibitions Team.

Based in Northern England with hybrid working arrangements possible, this 18-month fixed-term post supports research, interpretation and an upcoming

Qualifications

• Interest in the visual arts and willingness to learn.
• Desire to develop a long-term career as a curator.
• Ability to engage with diverse audiences and communities.

Responsibilities

• Develop knowledge of the Whitworth Musgrave Kinley Outsider Art Collection and related histories.
• Conduct research and contribute to interpretation and an planned exhibition.
• Support the Collections and Exhibitions Team across historic, modern and contemporary works, textiles and wallpaper.
• Collaborate with colleagues on a values-led, transcultural programme and engage audiences.

Job description

We are looking for an individual with a genuine interest in the visual arts, a willingness to learn and get involved in a variety of activities, and a desire to develop a long-term career as a curator.

The Whitworth Curatorial Fellow is supported by the Frieze x Deutsche Bank Emerging Curators Fellowship. This is a paid traineeship, which aims to widen access to curatorial careers in the visual arts and support the professional development of an emerging curator. We particularly encourage applications from people from Global Majority backgrounds, who remain underrepresented in the UK cultural sector, alongside others from backgrounds underrepresented in museums and galleries.

A key focus of the role will be the Whitworth's Musgrave Kinley Outsider Art Collection, the only significant collection of its kind held by a UK institution. Comprising more than 1,200 works by over 120 artists from Europe, the USA and beyond, it includes works by artists who developed their practices outside formal art education and gallery structures, including neurodivergent and working-class artists. The collection brings together practices historically described as 'Outsider Art'.

Building on previous research into the collection, the Fellow will develop knowledge of its artists and histories and explore questions around terminology, representation and community engagement. They will contribute to research, interpretation and a planned exhibition, considering how artists' voices and perspectives can inform the ways their work is documented, displayed and shared with audiences.

The Fellow will also gain wider curatorial experience within the Whitworth's Collections and Exhibitions Team, working across its historic, modern and contemporary art, textiles and wallpaper collections. They will have opportunities to develop practical curatorial skills and work with colleagues across the gallery's values-led and innovative transcultural programme.

The Whitworth Curatorial Fellow traineeship is open to applicants who are UK nationals or have the right to work in the UK. This is a fixed-term post of 18 months, and the University is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

The role is open to applicants based in Northern England (Cheshire, Cumbria, County Durham, East Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear and West Yorkshire).

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working you can find out more here

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we unfortunately may not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to [e-mail] .

Any CV's submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Christo Kefalas

Email: [e-mail]

General enquiries:

Email: [e-mail]

Technical support:

Jobtrain: 0161 850 2004 https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.