Job Description Assistant Curator - Historic Art (Maternity Cover)

Transcription

1 Job Description Assistant Curator - Historic Art (Maternity Cover) Background Amgueddfa Cymru National Museum Wales (the Museum) was founded by Royal Charter in 1907 as the National Museum of Wales and was granted Supplemental Charters in 1991 and It derives its funding in the main from the Welsh Government as a Welsh Government Sponsored Body (WGSB). Amgueddfa Cymru National Museum Wales consists of National Museum Cardiff, St Fagans: National History Museum, the National Slate Museum, the National Wool Museum, the National Roman Legion Museum, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, the National Waterfront Museum and the National Collections Centre. The key purpose of the Museum is the advancement of the education of the public. This is to be achieved by caring for, enhancing and giving access to the Museum s collections, which cover earth and natural sciences, fine and applied art and the archaeology, and industrial and social history of Wales. The Vision of Amgueddfa Cymru National Museum Wales today is to be a world-class museum of learning. The Museum s senior management group consists of the Director General and four Directors. Senior management structure Director General Deputy Director General and Director of Operations Director of Finance Director of Learning, Exhibitions and New Media Director of Collections & Research

2 The postholder will be a member of the Department of Art which is located at the National Museum Cardiff. The Department has recently completed a period of expansion and renewal, and became the National Museum of Art for Wales in The Department cares for, studies, and presents the Welsh national collection of Fine and Applied Art from the Renaissance to the Present. The collection includes over 2,000 paintings, sculptures, and works in new media, 11,000 ceramics and other applied art objects and 30,000 prints and drawings. Amgueddfa Cymru is particularly known for its nineteenth-century French paintings and sculpture, which include works by Rodin, Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh and Cézanne. We have a comprehensive collection of works by Welsh artists including Richard Wilson, Thomas Jones, Gwen and Augustus John, David Jones and Ceri Richards, with twentieth century figures predominating. The collection also includes European Old Master paintings, and works by eighteenth and nineteenth-century British artists such as Reynolds, Gainsborough, Constable, Turner, and Burne-Jones. We have an unrivalled collection of eighteenth and nineteenth-century Welsh pottery and porcelain, major holdings of eighteenth-century Continental and English porcelain, and outstanding British silver, mostly from Welsh collections, as well as historic glass, furniture, metalwork and oriental ceramics. The National Museum of Art now occupies the entire upper floor of the National Museum Cardiff building. Space for the display of art has increased by about one-third to nearly 4,000 square metres. Main Purpose of Job The postholder will support the development, curation and research of the collections of paintings and sculpture from the Renaissance to 1900, and will play a key role in the creation of displays. Responsible to: In the short-term the postholder reports to the Keeper of Art, who has responsibility for leading the strategic direction of the art collections, and for the management of the Department of Art. Responsible for None. The post holder contributes to the work programmes of the Fine Art Conservators.

3 Key Responsibilities of the post 1. To support the curation, research, development and display of the collection of paintings and sculpture prior to To assist the Collection Manager, who is responsible for ensuring that the collection is appropriately displayed / stored, and records are maintained. To initiate improvements in collection care. To contribute to the conservation programme. 3. To support changing displays in the Art galleries, preparing display texts and maintaining and updating gallery plans. 4. To assist with the exhibition programme, and develop and implement temporary exhibition concepts in order to attract audiences and to foster understanding of art prior to To handle enquiries about the historic collection, and encourage its use by external researchers, students, and the wider public. 6. To support the Curator (Prints and Drawings) in the management of the Prints and Drawing Study Room, when necessary. 7. Under the direction of the Keeper, to undertake research on the fine art collection prior to To develop and maintain a knowledge of fine art from the Renaissance to the early 20th century, and to develop a personal expertise in a particular area well-represented in the collection, and external reputation. 9. To develop and maintain a knowledge of art in Wales prior to To promote the collections to a wide range of users. 11. To contribute to the Partnership Programme with other venues in Wales. 12. To work closely with other Departments and Divisions within Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales to ensure the effective presentation and development of the fine art collection. 13. To undertake other responsibilities and activities appropriate to the post, as the Keeper shall require.

4 Qualifications, skills and experience Applicants for the post should be able to demonstrate that they possess an appropriate range of the following qualifications, skills, and experience: A degree in Art History or closely related subject. A knowledge and understanding of pre-twentieth-century art history. Curatorial experience within an art gallery, museum or temporary exhibition space. Understanding of curation, documentation, and conservation. Understanding of current practices in the interpretation and exhibition of art. Good oral and written communication skills. Strong IT skills. Drive and determination. Good organisational skills. Knowledge of a European foreign language. As the ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable but not essential for this position, a willingness to learn would be welcomed.

5 Terms and conditions of service Starting Salary Contract Length Contract Hours Grade D 20, , (pro rata) Appointment will normally be to the minimum of the salary scale for this grade. Up to 12 months (maternity cover) 22.5 hours per week Annual Leave 27 days on appointment, rising to 32 days after 5 years service, plus one privilege day at Christmas and 8 bank holidays (for full time staff). Flexitime The Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales flexitime system applies to this post. Probation The post is subject to a probationary period of 3 months All new appointments are subject to the receipt of satisfactory references, medical report and criminal conviction vetting clearance plus proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

6 Applications for the post of Assistant Curator - Historic Art Applicants for the post should complete our on-line application form which can be found on the Jobs page on our website at The form provides the opportunity to explain how your qualifications, experience and personal qualities make you a suitable candidate for the position. Completed forms should be returned by to: hr.jobs@museumwales.ac.uk or posted to the: Human Resources Department Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NP Telephone: (029) Fax: (029) Please note that all vacancies close at 5.00 pm on the closing date. No applications will be accepted after this time We will need you to submit the Vetting and Equality Monitoring Forms before we can process your application. Please use the section of the application form headed post applied for to state clearly whether you want to be considered for full-time or part-time jobs (or both). Please do not send us your CV we will only consider completed application forms. Unfortunately, due to the number of applications we expect in respect of this post, it will not be possible to write personally to each unsuccessful applicant. However, interviews are normally arranged within three weeks of the closing date. Please be aware that the cost of returning the completed application form and any attachments to the HR Department, will be more than the price of a single first class stamp. Amgueddfa Cymru National Museum Wales is an equal opportunities employer. Applications are welcome from all sections of the community.