Overview
Curator: British Prints and Drawings (1500-1774) at The British Museum. Full-time, 41 hours per week (including one hour paid lunch break). Permanent. Salary £44,719 per annum.
About the role
The Museum is seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable curator to lead on its renowned collection of British prints and drawings by artists born between 1500 and 1775. This group includes works by John White, William Hogarth, Mary Delany, Thomas Gainsborough, and James Gillray. The successful postholder will deepen public and scholarly understanding through research, exhibitions, and publications, and advance digital accessibility through improved records and imaging. You’ll respond to enquiries, support acquisitions, and share expertise with researchers, students, patrons and the public. The role also involves departmental administration, fundraising support, and contributing to the Museum’s Masterplan.
Key areas of responsibility
* Assist with public and scholarly enquiries relating to the collection.
* Share specialist knowledge in an enthusiastic, engaging way to broad audiences (public, patrons, school or university groups, colleagues from other institutions).
* Maintain, update and improve online records of around 60,000 prints and 10,000 drawings including major holdings by John White, Hogarth, Delany, Gainsborough and Gillray.
* Devise exhibitions derived from the British collection under curatorial care.
* Involve in fundraising and provide curatorial support to corporate and private patrons.
* Participate in everyday Departmental administration and museum-wide projects.
* Recommend suitable items to add to the collection and guide them through acquisition.
* Other duties as assigned.
About you
* Sound knowledge of the techniques and history of graphic arts, particularly print making.
* Experience as a curator in organising an exhibition or permanent gallery display, liaising with multiple parties.
* A degree in art history, history or equivalent.
* Ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively.
* Museum curatorial experience with demonstrated research and some publications.
* Ability to manage museum projects (exhibitions, new gallery displays, etc.).
* Experience of presenting at seminars, lectures, gallery talks, etc.
About the British Museum
Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction with a world-famous collection including the Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies, the Admonitions Scroll, and the Amaravati sculptures.
Benefits
* Generous annual leave: 25 days, rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service, plus 2.5 privilege days and bank holidays.
* Membership of the civil service defined benefit pension scheme.
* Free entry to a wide range of museums and exhibitions.
* Participation in private and public Museum activities, including talks by leading curators and behind-the-scenes opportunities.
* Interest-free travel, bicycle and rental deposit loans.
* Professional and personal development opportunities.
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Discounts on food and gift shop purchases.
For more information about this role, please see the job description.
The interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 19 November or Thursday 20 November.
If you have any additional needs to support your application, please provide details to bmrecruit@britishmuseum.org.
The British Museum is committed to equality of opportunity and to a diverse workforce. We promote a working environment free from discrimination or harassment, and our recruitment procedures aim to ensure fair treatment on the basis of knowledge, skills and experience. We offer a flexible working scheme and typically see this role as on-site about four days a week. The Museum adheres to the BPSS pre-employment screening standard for Civil Servants.
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