Purpose of the Post
The Curator is responsible for the visual arts programme at Lancaster Arts (LA), working closely with the Director to curate the LA thematic programme across all artforms, which in turn informs future strategic plans. This role oversees the care, maintenance and growth of the University Art Collection, ensuring its sustainability and capability to flourish. The Curator sits on the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and manages the creative team. The Curator is responsible for the management of the Peter Scott Gallery Charitable Trust.
Major Duties
* Have responsibility and oversight for the visual arts offer, e.g. overseeing the concept, planning, design and delivery of exhibitions, visual art projects and events, including liaising with artists, other institutions and funding organisations.
* Ensure the high‑quality management of the Peter Scott Gallery, maintaining the commitments made as an Accredited Museum.
* Work closely with the Director in overseeing LA’s thematic artistic programme across all areas of art form and activity, taking forward programming decisions, and ensuring these are maintained within budgets.
* Contribute to ACE NPO applications if timelines necessitate this activity within the duration of the role.
* Line‑manage the creative team: Assistant Curator, and the Collections Support Co‑ordinator ensuring strong collaboration and high‑quality delivery of programme.
* Contribute to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), working with colleagues in the Senior Leadership Team to develop strategic oversight and deliver.
* Support the development of key strategic partnerships alongside colleagues in the SLT.
Art Collection
* Oversee the management of the University’s art collections and a strategy for access, study and dissemination. You will ensure that the collection is integrated, wherever appropriate, into the planning of exhibitions.
* Work with university colleagues to maintain the highest standards of upkeep for the collection and grow it through new acquisitions and commissions.
* Take responsibility for the Accreditation of the collection, working with the University to ensure appropriate conservation, including storage and preventative conservation as well as ensuring sufficient attention towards a new application (due in 2029).
* Oversee loans, transfers, exchanges and new acquisitions across the programme, maintaining and updating documentation.
* Administer the Peter Scott Gallery Charitable Trust, ensuring the preparation and distribution of paperwork, minutes and communications with Trustees.
* Contribute to the national and international profile of the programme and collections.
Financial Work
* Work with the SLT to develop budgets and targets for the artistic programme and specifically, the visual arts programme, ensuring the goals are met.
* Support the SLT in determining future funding needs and collaborate on the development of funding applications.
Management
* Act as key liaison with Estates and Facilities for the Peter Scott Gallery to ensure maintenance and ongoing development of the gallery.
* Ensure robust monitoring across the artistic programme with strong engagement.
* Work closely with the Communications Manager to ensure high visibility of the visual arts and thematic combined art programme.
* As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to reporting for the Lancaster Arts Board (LAB) and monitoring against key performance indicators.
* Work with the SLT to provide a supportive, accessible and creative place for all staff to realise their full potential, whatever their role, assisting in staff support, training and development for the whole team.
* Oversee the Lancaster Arts Environmental Action Plan, reporting on commitments and developing new ideas, alongside the LAB and team.
* As champions for the Creative Case for Diversity, support the implementation of policies to ensure that LA is employing best practice through a proactive approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.
Inclusion
* Represent LA in local/ regional/ national/ international networks, as required.
* Contribute to local and regional networks in the arts and cultural sector.
* To deputise as part of the Senior Leadership team for the Director at senior internal or external meetings, when necessary.
* See artistic work locally, nationally and internationally.
* Undertake professional development and any other duties.
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