Recruitment Curator Salary: 34,000 Reporting to: Director of Exhibitions V&A Museum of Design Dundee Opening in 2018, V&A Museum of Design Dundee will be the only V&A museum anywhere in the world outside London. It will be the first ever dedicated design museum in Scotland: an international centre for design, a place of inspiration, discovery and learning. V&A Dundee will present the largely untold story of Scotland s outstanding design achievements, bringing together in one place the world-renowned V&A collections with loans from other collections in Scotland and beyond to allow everyone to understand and be inspired by this important design heritage. These collections will be accompanied by international touring exhibitions from the V&A, making Dundee the only location in the UK outside London to receive these globally significant exhibitions. In addition, V&A Dundee will also originate its own exhibitions. The 80.11m project to create the museum is at the heart of Dundee s ambitious 1bn waterfront regeneration supporting the creation of more jobs and wider economic benefits. It will generate civic pride and transform the city region as a tourism destination. V&A Dundee will be the first building in the UK designed by Kengo Kuma, the internationally renowned architect who is also designing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium. His vision is for the museum to be a new living room for the city, welcoming everyone to visit, enjoy and socialise, and to reconnect the city with its historic River Tay waterfront. V&A Dundee is being delivered by Design Dundee Ltd (DDL), established through the partnership of the V&A, the University of Dundee, Abertay University, Scottish Enterprise and Dundee City Council. It is the flagship of Dundee s waterfront development, symbolising the city s new confidence and regeneration.
Exhibitions Department The Exhibitions Department realises the ambitious programme of temporary exhibitions and commissions across the Museum showcasing major exhibitions of outstanding international design. The temporary exhibitions programme will stage three major exhibitions per year including exhibitions from V&A South Kensington and those curated by V&A Dundee. The programme is devised by the Director of Exhibitions in discussion with colleagues in the Exhibition, Learning, Audiences and Development departments. Exhibitions are accompanied by publications and a dedicated public programme. The Department consists of two curators, two assistant curators and a gallery manager. Role profile The Curator works with a small and busy team on the realisation of projects with designers, lenders and design institutions; delivering historic and contemporary exhibitions and commissions. They will take responsibility for the conceptual development, organisation and co-ordination of exhibitions and publications assigned by the Director of Exhibitions, including budgetary management and fundraising. As a member of the exhibitions team, the Curator contributes ideas to the Museum s programme, is essential to the department s collegiate work environment and liaises with other internal departments and with the professional design world, in one of the most dynamic design environments in Europe. Accountability The Curator is line managed by the Director of Exhibitions and has responsibility for an Assistant Curator. Duties and responsibilities Curatorial Contributing to the delivery of the Museum s curatorial vision through feeding into programming discussions, the curation of exhibitions, utilising contacts with designers and organisations and knowledge of issues in contemporary design and culture Developing the curatorial argument for designated projects by researching and selecting works, liaising with designers and external curators
Taking responsibility for the authoring, commissioning, editing and production of specific exhibition catalogues, guides, labels and wall texts in consultation with Learning Developing installation plans in consultation with the Gallery Manager and Director of Exhibitions Proposing imaginative ways of providing contextual material for exhibitions and events, eg. print, film, video etc. Drawing up exhibition-specific budgets. Monitoring and controlling these and ensuring that any variances are communicated in a timely manner Working with Philanthropy and Partnerships to deliver written applications to private, public and individually sourced funders for exhibitions/projects Supplying information on designated exhibitions to the Philanthropy and Partnerships and Audiences and Media teams for inclusion in sponsorship proposals, press releases, and information on exhibition lenders etc. Work with Learning team to devise a complementary public events programme, delivering talks and taking part in symposia, both organised by the Museum and other organisations Ensuring the proper flow of exhibition information across departments Representing the Museum at networking events, including talks for sponsors, funders etc. Organisational Overseeing loan negotiation and administration, ensuring that all loan conditions are fulfilled, in liaison with the Gallery Manager Overseeing transport arrangements including the monitoring of the tendering process to ensure advantageous terms and conditions Overseeing the adequate insurance of works of art through commercial insurance and applications to the Museums and Galleries Government Indemnity Scheme, and compiling and filing insurance claims in the event of loss or damage of work. Advising colleagues on procedures Drawing up briefs for designers to procurement stage in consultation with the Gallery Manager Securing touring venues for projects originated by the Museum; overseeing the administration and transport arrangements for exhibitions whilst on tour Issuing appropriate contracts to partner organisations, artists, curators and authors in consultation with the Director of Exhibitions Responding to approaches from outside individuals and organisations
Line managing staff, incorporating supervising their day to day activities, training and annual appraisals Other To promote equality and diversity in all aspects of your work by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and with dignity and respect, and actively contributing to developments that support the museum s strategy for widening access, inclusion and diversity. Deal with any other duties as deemed necessary by the Director of Exhibitions. Person Specification Essential Further degree in Design History, Theory or Practice, or extensive equivalent experience Extensive experience of working with designers Senior curatorial experience in a significant Museum or Gallery or as an independent curator Extensive knowledge of contemporary design, designers and design world networks Confident public speaker able to represent the Museum and its programmes Proven senior level organisational skills Ability to work as part of a team and independently, remaining calm under pressure Excellent communication and accuracy in written communication Impeccable writing skills and proven experience of high-quality contemporary critical writing Good negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive situations with diplomacy Experience of managing complex projects and budgets within an organisational context
How to apply Applicants are asked to submit the following: A covering statement, of no more than 500 words, outlining your suitability for the role. A CV covering your relevant experience and current salary, of no more than two A4 sides Please send these to: Ashley Gloeh V&A Dundee Dundee DD1 4QB Or email: ashley.gloeh@vandadundee.org Deadline for applications: no later than 5pm, Monday 1 May 2017. Interviews will be held on Friday 12 May 2017 in Dundee. V&A Dundee is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.