Job Title:
Assistant Archivist / Programme Officer
Organisation:
Topolski Memoir Ltd.
Contract:
6 months, part-time (0.6 FTE, ~3 days/week), fixed term
Salary:
£34,000 pro rata (£20,400 actual)
Location:
Topolski Studio, Waterloo, London (with some flexible working)
Reporting to:
Project Manager (Lucien Topolski, Director, Topolski Memoir Ltd.)
Languages:
Polish essential
The Feliks Topolski Archive Project
Supported by the National Archives' Archives Revealed Programme
The Feliks Topolski Archive (FTA) holds a unique collection of over 6,000 works, including drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, and personal writings by Feliks Topolski RA (1907–1989). Topolski's work provides a distinctive visual chronicle of the twentieth century, portraying both iconic figures, such as Churchill, Gandhi, Malcolm X, and Queen Elizabeth II, as well as everyday life, through sensitive, observational sketches that charted the social, cultural and political course of the 20th century.
He recorded Africa and Asia as western imperial power fell, and bore witness to the independent nations that rose to replace them; he drew China entering the cultural revolution, and Vietnam at the beginning of their war with America; he charted British cultural and political upheavals, from the Hippies to Greenham Common, the Blitz to the Troubles in Northern Ireland; he travelled the US recording Hollywood, the Black Panthers, Martin Luther King, and several election cycles. He travelled constantly, reaching every continent (except Oceania), sharing his attention between the streets and the halls of power and everything in between. In short, he chronicled the century.
Whilst Topolski was recognised in his own lifetime, his work has since fallen out of mainstream public memory and his work has never been the subject of a retrospective or a monograph, largely because our archive remains relatively unstudied.
Supported by The National Archives'
Archives Revealed
programme,
this is an exciting opportunity to develop a cataloguing infrastructure that will exist far beyond the end of the project. By cataloguing and digitising the collection, the archive will have greater accessibility for researchers and drive progress with planned exhibitions, publications and partnerships.
You will be working primarily in Topolski´s original studio in Waterloo, in the heart of London´s South Bank. The archiving work will feed directly into our outreach programme, providing opportunities for a range of public engagement initiatives. For example, 2026 is the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain, in which Topolski contributed a large mural, and we will be commemorating the event with a project developed in partnership with our partners at the London College of Communication.
The events that Topolski witnessed resonate strongly today, and his artwork contains hidden insights that help us to better understand them. Our goal as an organisation is to harness Topolski's legacy to promote the genre of reportage and documentary artwork. We champion the eye of the artist as a force for reflection and change in the world. By uncovering the depth of Topolski´s experiences, we aim to inspire people to understand their place in history, and think critically about our path to the future.
The project will:
* Catalogue the collection to ISAD(G) standards
, enabling global discoverability via The National Archives'
Discovery
platform and Archives Hub.
* Rehouse fragile items
in archival-grade storage to ensure long-term preservation.
* Digitise key works
to expand access for researchers, students, and the public.
* Deliver a programme of engagement
, including workshops, talks, and collaborations with partners such as Ravensbourne University and London College of Communication (UAL) and other cultural partners.
Two complementary roles will deliver this work in close collaboration:
* Role 1: Project Archivist
(12 months, 0.6 FTE) – lead on archival standards, infrastructure, and workflows, and carry out cataloguing programme.
* Role 2: Assistant Archivist / Programme Officer
(6 months, 0.6 FTE) – focus on Polish-language materials and outreach.
The combination of these two posts will balance professional archival rigour with contextual interpretation and creative engagement, ensuring the archive is both well-documented and meaningfully shared. The two posts will overlap, with the Assistant role beginning 3-4 months into the project, allowing for an initial project strategy to be developed.
The two roles will work closely with the Director and an intern, benefiting from deep knowledge of Topolski´s career and artwork, as well as administrative and event management support. We use Notion as a collaborative project management tool, facilitating communication.
Role 2 – Assistant Archivist / Programme Officer (6 months, 0.6 FTE)
Key Function
To lead the public engagement elements of the Feliks Topolski Archive project, whilst supporting the Project Archivist cataloguing with a particular focus on
Polish-language material
.
This role may be filled by an
Assistant Archivist
(with cataloguing skills) or a
Programme Officer / Art Historian
(with outreach expertise). The postholder will work in
close collaboration with the Project Archivist
, forming a two-person team that balances technical archival standards with interpretation and public engagement.
Applicants with a postgraduate archives qualification are encouraged to apply as Assistant Archivist.
Alternatively, candidates with a background in art history/programming and outreach may apply as Programme Officer,
provided they can demonstrate strong Polish-language skills and an ability to support the work of cataloguing the collection.
2026 is the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Britain, in which Feliks Topolski was commissioned to produce a 20ft by 60ft mural. We will be working with the London College of Communication on an active commemoration of Topolski's involvement, inspired by his principles of observational reportage.
There are opportunities to engage with a range of cultural partners, including the Southbank Centre Archives, Polish Cultural Institute, Imperial War Museum, Museum of London, Royal Academy and the Royal Collection.
Key Responsibilities
If Assistant Archivist:
* Support the Project Archivist in cataloguing to ISAD(G), focusing on Polish-language material.
* Translate, describe, and contextualise Polish records for metadata entry.
* Assist with metadata preparation for Discovery.
* Contribute to rehousing and care of fragile items.
If Programme Officer / Art Historian:
* Translate and interpret Polish-language material, contributing to cataloguing and interpretation.
* Lead outreach and engagement initiatives, including talks, workshops, and collaborations with Polish institutions.
* Support artistic and academic partnerships (e.g. Ravensbourne University, UAL).
* Bring an art-historical perspective to the interpretation of the collection.
Shared Responsibilities:
* Collaborate closely with the Project Archivist to ensure seamless workflows and integration of cataloguing and outreach.
* Take a lead role in outreach and engagement activities, in collaboration with the Project Archivist and Project Manager.
* Lead outreach and engagement initiatives, including talks, workshops, and collaborations with Polish institutions.
* Support artistic and academic partnerships (e.g. London College of Communication)
* Participate in public engagement events (tours, open cataloguing sessions, talks).
* Help build networks with cultural and academic partners in Poland and the UK.
Person Specification
Essential
* Fluency in Polish.
* Relevant professional or academic background: archives training/experience
or
art history/programming with outreach.
- Strong communication and translation skills (Polish English).
- Commitment to collaborative working in a small project team.
Desirable
* Familiarity with ISAD(G) cataloguing.
* Experience in artists' archives or art-historical research.
* Existing links with Polish cultural or academic institutions.
* Good ability to read handwritten polish.
* Experience planning and delivering public engagement activities.