Introduction
DCA is seeking a new Head of Exhibitions to lead on the development, curation and delivery of contemporary art exhibitions, commissions, projects, publications and events as part of DCA’s creative and cultural programme.
Working closely with the Director to fulfil DCA’s vision and shape its critically acclaimed wide-ranging and dynamic programme of Scottish, British and international contemporary art, the Head of Exhibitions leads programme activity both within the gallery spaces and beyond the building, through commissioning, touring, publications and partnership projects.
A central part of city and community life, as well as Dundee’s visitor offer, DCA was nominated as Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2024 and was named as one of Scotland’s five best art galleries in The Times, with shows frequently previewed and reviewed by The Guardian, Frieze, Art Monthly, Art Review and Studio International.
Dundee Contemporary Arts … frequently shows the most thoughtful, critical and ambitious exhibitions in Scotland
– Art Monthly, 2023
It’s difficult to imagine the city before it had access to the creative facilities and world class art routinely provided by DCA
– The Skinny, March 2019
Reports to:Director
Direct Reports:Exhibitions Manager, Exhibitions Coordinator, Exhibitions Assistant
Pay:£40,000 plus 15.7% employer pension contribution through the Tayside Pension Fund (Local Government Pension Scheme); research, travel and expenses budget as part of role
Location:DCA Building
Deadline for applications:Friday 27 June, 12 noon
To read the key outputs and accountabilities, person specification and further information about this role, please download the Head of Exhibitions Information Pack, located at the bottom of this webpag
Job purpose
DCA’s Head of Exhibitions is responsible for the development, curation and delivery of a programme of contemporary art exhibitions, commissions, projects, publications and events as part of DCA’s creative and cultural programme.
Working closely with the Director to fulfil DCA’s vision and shape its critically acclaimed wide-ranging and dynamic programme of Scottish, British and international contemporary art, the Head of Exhibitions leads programme activity both within the gallery spaces and beyond the building, through commissioning, touring, publications and partnership projects.
The Head of Exhibitions manages the Exhibitions team, which includes the Exhibitions Manager, who manages a team of freelance Technicians, and the Exhibitions Coordinator and the Exhibitions Assistant. The Head of Exhibitions is a member of DCA’s Senior Management Team (SMT), with the Heads of Cinema, Print Studio, Learning, and Operations, the Deputy Director – Head of External Relations and the Deputy Director – Head of Finance. Strong supportive and strategic working relationships with all SMT members are key, alongside an ability to collaborate and share information and practices across the organisation, from developing audiences to creating funding opportunities, from collaborating on film projects to supporting Print Studio residencies.
The post holder is responsible for working closely with Visitor Services Manager to ensure the team of Visitor Assistants are have all the necessary information and access points they need to be briefed, confident and able to deliver the very best visitor experience. This post holder will also support the Director with the delivery of the final year of the We Contain Multitudes project, culminating in a major group show, and ensuring anti-ableist learning is embedded across DCA’s work.
A creative and focused individual, with a strong network of contacts in the visual arts sector, you will work in partnership with a wide range of external partners and peer organisations to deliver an ambitious and sustainable programme that is a model of excellence regionally, nationally and internationally and which supports DCA’s mission, vision, aims and values. A commitment to equality, antiracism, social justice and accessibility in all areas of your work is essential.
How to apply
To read the key outputs and accountabilities, person specification and further information about this role, please download the Head of Exhibitions Information Pack, located at the bottom of this webpage.
To apply, please send the following todca.recruitment@dca.org.uk:
• Covering letter or video/voice file demonstrating how your skills and experience match the job description (max 2 pages or three mins for a video/ voice file).
• CV (3 pages written or four mins for a video/voice file)
• Application form
The deadline for completed applications is 12 noon on Friday 27 June 2025.
First stage interviews will be online on Friday 18 July 2025. Second stage interviews will be in person at DCA in Dundee on Monday 11 August. Reimbursement of travel costs can be discussed with DCA.
An outline of the interview sessions, including the questions, will be circulated in advance. We are committed to meeting candidates’ access requirements, both online and in person, and will work to ensure that any necessary reasonable adjustment are made, both in recruitment and in the workplace.
If you require this advert, job description or application form in an alternative format, for example in Word or an audio file, please emaildca.recruitment@dca.org.ukor call 01382 432490.
Head of Exhibitions – Information Pack
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2.4 MB (PDF)
Guidance Notes for Applicants
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159 KB (PDF)
Application Form
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67 KB (DOCX)
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