Overview
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 of the collection through innovative research, exhibitions, and publications, while advancing its digital accessibility through improved records and imaging. You’ll respond to enquiries, support acquisition efforts, and share your expertise with a wide range of audiences, including researchers, students, patrons, and the public. This role also involves participating in departmental operations, supporting fundraising, and contributing to the Museum’s broader strategic goals, including its Masterplan. This is an exciting opportunity to care for and interpret a major historic collection and to bring fresh insight and visibility to Britain’s early modern centuries.
Key areas of responsibility
* To assist with public and scholarly enquiries relating to the collection.
* To share specialist knowledge in an enthusiastic, engaging and inspiring fashion with broad audiences as needed (for the public, patrons, school or university groups, and colleagues from other institutions).
* To maintain, update and improve the online records of around 60,000 prints and 10,000 drawings, including some of the Museum’s most important British holdings by artists such as John White, William Hogarth, Mary Delany, Thomas Gainsborough and James Gillray.
* To devise exhibitions wholly or in part derived from the British collection under their curatorial care.
* Be involved in fundraising and provide curatorial support to the Museum’s corporate and private patrons and supporters.
* To play a full part in everyday Departmental administration and participate in museum-wide projects and activities.
* Recommending suitable items to add to the collection and guiding them through the acquisition process.
* Other duties as assigned.
About you
* Sound knowledge of the techniques and history of graphic arts, particularly all aspects of print making.
* Relevant experience of being involved as a curator in organising an exhibition or a permanent gallery display that involved liaising with a variety of different parties.
* A degree in art history, history or equivalent.
* Ability to work successfully as part of a team and to be an excellent communicator.
* Museum curatorial experience that has demonstrated a flair for research, including some publication history in a relevant field.
* An ability to manage museum projects (exhibition, new gallery display, etc.).
* Experience of presentations in seminars, lectures, gallery talks, etc.
About the British Museum
Founded in 1753, the British Museum’s remarkable collection spans over two million years of human history and culture. The Museum is a leading visitor attraction, with world-famous holdings including the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, Egyptian mummies, the Admonitions Scroll, and the Amaravati sculptures.
Benefits
* Generous annual leave allowance of 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 from around the world and behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn how museums care for and manage their collections.
* Interest-free travel, bicycle and rental deposit loans.
* Professional and personal development opportunities.
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Discounts on food and gift shop purchases.
Additional details
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 for all staff and job applicants and values a diverse workforce. The Museum supports flexible working where possible and typically expects this role to be onsite about four days a week. The Museum adheres to the BPSS pre-employment screening for Civil Servants.
National Museum Directors’ Council, Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG.
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