Associate curator of paintings before 1600

Location: London

Bring your expertise in Renaissance paintings to the National Gallery, contributing to collection research, exhibitions and new acquisitions.

The National Gallery is an art museum in Trafalgar Square in the City of Westminster, in Central London, England. Founded in 1824, it houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900.

The National Gallery is looking for an Associate Curator of Paintings before 1600. This is an incredible opportunity to contribute to the curatorial department of a museum housing one of the great collections of paintings in the world.

The Associate Curator of Paintings before 1600 will assist other curators in the department with the care and growth of the National Gallery’s collection of Renaissance paintings and with associated scholarly research, publications and interpretation. The Associate Curator will support the curators in seeking and recommending relevant new acquisitions and loans, and works on exhibitions, collection displays and gallery refurbishment projects. As a member of the Department, they will have line management responsibilities (usually 1 direct report) and provide leadership and pastoral care to the curatorial team, helping deliver an innovative, scholarly and collaborative curatorial vision.

Scope of job

• Deliver all objectives in their area set by the Board, the Director of the National Gallery, the Director of Collections and Research, the Head of the Curatorial Department, the Curator of Early Netherlandish and German Paintings, the Curator of Italian Paintings before 1500 as well as the James and Victoria Corcoran Curator of Italian Paintings 1500 -1600
• Act as an advocate for the National Gallery, with a wide range of internal and external colleagues and stakeholders
• Support the curators in ensuring that the collection is cared for and displayed to the highest standards, liaising with the Heads of the Curatorial Department, Conservation and Framing as appropriate
• Consult with the curators on priorities for conservation treatments; monitor progress of conservation treatments
• Work with the curators and the Head of the Curatorial Department as well as the Heads of Research, Conservation and Science and members of their teams on the study and understanding of Renaissance paintings
• Contribute to the National Gallery Catalogues; propose, research and write scholarly catalogue entries
• Contribute to the Gallery’s research culture, convening conferences, colloquia, etc., in collaboration with the Research Department
• Support the curators in ensuring accurate documentation and records keeping, and that confidential and sensitive information is handled appropriately
• Deal with enquiries regarding provenance, export licence applications, valuations for loan and indemnity, export review and spoliation cases; support the Director of the National Gallery as DCMS National Advisor
• Assist the curators in seeking and proposing potential new acquisitions and loans, according to the Collection Development Strategy
• Ensure fruitful relations with current lenders and cultivating relationships with collectors
• Assist in devising, planning and overseeing the installation of relevant displays
• Work with Art Handling on picture movements and rehangs
• Work with the curators to make sure that the collection is appropriately interpreted for diverse audiences, in the galleries and other media (including digital)
• Propose and curate temporary exhibitions
• Suggest speakers for, and contribute to the Learning and Digital Departments’ public programmes, including those associated with exhibition projects
• Work with the Communications and Digital Departments and advise on the specialist content of talks and public presentations
• Work with the Development Department, assist in fundraising and the cultivation of existing and potential patrons and supporters; play a key role in stewarding relevant patrons/supporters
• Develop active networks of colleagues in museums, heritage sector and academic institutions, nationally and internationally

Key required skills

• Significant experience as a curator of old master paintings with experience as a collection curator and exhibition curator, specialising in Renaissance paintings
• Skilled and effective researcher with a significant relevant publication record
• Substantial experience as a public speaker, equally confident in giving specialist/academic lectures and public talks
• Effective communicator with a proven ability to disseminate knowledge of specialist field to wide and varied audiences as well as explaining complex decisions to internal and external stakeholders
• Effective problem solver with proven ability in taking responsibility for achieving results, taking decisions (often under pressure), collaborating, negotiating and mediating successfully
• Experience of managing simultaneously numerous, complex projects involving multiple stakeholders with varying deadlines
• Demonstrable experience of managing individuals and leading teams; experience of budget management
• Awareness regarding the National Gallery’s status as a DCMS -sponsored institution and the national advisory roles of its specialist curatorial staff

This is a permanent, full-time role. For further details, please see the job pack on our website.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.

Please make sure that you state in your application that you found this role via Creative Access.