The Harry M. Weinrebe Curatorial Fellow (Post-1800 Paintings)

Salary: £38,133 per annum

Contract: Fixed-term for 22 months

Working hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

A unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience across exhibitions, public programming, collections research and international museum practice while working alongside leading curators and specialists in one of the world’s foremost art institutions.

The Curatorial Fellow will gain professional experience and knowledge through being involved at all stages in a full range of curatorial practices. They will support relevant curatorial staff with the care and growth of the National Gallery’s post-1800 collections, participate in the creation and delivery of interpretation and public-facing activity, and help with scholarly research, publications and exhibitions.

During this 22-month traineeship, the Curatorial Fellow will gain professional experience and knowledge of the responsibilities of curatorship in a national collection.

The Curatorial Fellow will be involved at all stages in a full range of curatorial practices concerning the creation and delivery of public-facing activity relating to the National Gallery's collection of post-1800 paintings.

Scope of job

Reporting to a senior member of the post-1800 Team, the Curatorial Fellow will assist with the care, display, research, management, and interpretation of the National Gallery's post-1800 collection as follows:

• Receive training in the care, display, research, and interpretation of the collection, in dealing with acquisitions, loans, rehangs and redisplays
• Receive training in curating exhibitions, the delivery of public programmes, dealing with public enquiries and ensuring collection information is up to date
• Assist with a range of essential museum functions such as art handling, framing, conservation, scientific research, communications, exhibitions and education as well as working with national and international partners
• Act as a Gallery courier, accompanying paintings within the UK and abroad
• Provide support to the curators in the post-1800 team
• May be asked to assist with exhibition projects in different ways and at different points between evolution and conception (depending on timings, they may not see the project through to public opening)

Key deliverables

• The post holder will focus on the display (through rehangs, redisplays and lighting), research, and interpretation of the post-1800 paintings in the collection. They will collaborate with Curatorial colleagues on displays across the Gallery
• Assist in delivering the public programme, working with Exhibitions, Learning, and Digital departments
• Assist in developing initiatives on which the Curatorial department is leading

Key relationships

• The post holder will work collaboratively within the Collections directorate which includes Curatorial, Conservation, Scientific, Registrars, Framing, and Art Handling
• They will also work with Exhibitions, Digital, Learning, and Development departments
• They will also liaise with national and international colleagues in the sector

Knowledge, skills and experience

Key required skills

• Ability to carry out independent scholarly research, including archival work, to a very high standard (high merit (65% and above) at degree level) in the field of European art
• Highly developed visual skills in relation to European paintings, especially in post-1800
• Fluency in English and a proven working knowledge of at least one other European language (such as Italian, French, German, Dutch). French preferred
• Ability to write concisely and accurately in English, with an awareness of the needs of both specialist and general audiences
• Ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines
• Competent public speaker
• Broad IT skills

Key required attributes

• Interest in how the Gallery communicates the results of its research to a broad public, using digital and other media
• Diplomatic and sensitive in dealing with a wide range of people from the general public to lenders, owners and dealers
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively as a team player
• Demonstrable interest in curatorial work and in the history of the National Gallery
• Demonstrate personal accountability to work effectively to tight deadlines and finish off work to the highest of standard; show an innate integrity to use one's time to best advantage to further the Gallery's objectives
• Desire to promote fruitful discussions around diversity and inclusion in terms of gender, race, religion through chosen research projects within and beyond the Gallery

Essential minimum qualification on entry

An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Art History. Knowledge of the field of European post-1800 painting at either first degree or postgraduate degree (either having taken optional modules or written a dissertation on European post-1800 art).

Additional essential criteria or considerations

• Occasional irregular hours to attend events, including giving tours, may be required
• Some travel throughout the UK and abroad may be required
• Show an innate integrity to use one's time to best advantage to further the Gallery's objectives

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.