Exhibitions Organiser Background Job description. For over a century the Whitechapel Gallery has premiered world-class artists from modern masters such as Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Frida Kahlo to contemporaries such as Sophie Calle, Lucien Freud, Gilbert & George and Mark Wallinger. With beautiful galleries, exhibitions, artist commissions, collection displays, historic archives, education resources, inspiring art courses, dining room and bookshop, the Gallery is open all year round, so there is always something free to see. The Gallery is a touchstone for contemporary art internationally, plays a central role in London s cultural landscape and is pivotal to the continued growth of the world s most vibrant contemporary art quarter. Exhibitions department The Exhibitions Department realises an ambitious programme of temporary exhibitions and commissions, including the production of catalogues and limited editions to accompany these events. Six museum standard galleries presented over two floors feature modern and contemporary art from around the world, with approximately nine major exhibitions per year. These include exhibitions that celebrate established figures or provide a platform for emerging artists and tendencies; new, site-specific commissions; displays of works from important British and international collections; and material drawn from the Whitechapel s historic Archive. The programme is devised by the Director and Chief Curator in discussion with colleagues in the Exhibition, Education and Development departments. In addition, the Department is closely involved with an MA in Curating Contemporary Art hosted by London Metropolitan University. Role Assisting the Exhibitions team, the Exhibitions Organiser will ensure meticulous coordination and logistical arrangements are in place for both onsite and touring exhibitions. This is a fixed term contract April-July 2017, and the post holder will primarily be working on de-installation of the Eduardo Paolozzi exhibition and preparations for its tour.
The Exhibitions Organiser will support the Assistant Curators and Curators in communication with transporters and insurers and in ensuring best practice in relation to the care of exhibits for Whitechapel Gallery exhibitions and touring partnerships. The post holder will be committed to working to the highest professional standards, and upholding the organisational values of the Whitechapel Gallery. Accountability The Department consists of the Chief Curator, Mahera and Mohammad Abu Ghazaleh Curator, Curator and Head of MA Curatorial Studies, Curator: Archive Gallery; 3 x Assistant Curators, Gallery Manager, Head of Exhibition Design and Production; Archivist; and departmental work placements. The Exhibitions Organiser is responsible to the Chief Curator..
Duties & responsibilities Exhibitions and Events Support the co-ordination of main gallery loan exhibitions and liaise with lenders, transport and insurance agencies and others as required, maintaining excellent relations throughout. Assist the Curatorial and Production teams to organise exhibition logistics and ensure procedural compliance, best practice and cost efficiency for main gallery exhibitions and exhibitions at partner venues. Work directly with partner venues and manage specific partnership projects, in close communication with the Assistant Curators and project Curator. Work within all registrarial and exhibition organisation procedures and industry best practice and support the Curatorial team to ensure systems and procedures are fit for purpose. Support the drafting of schedules and logistical coordination for the planning, installation and take down of exhibitions at the Whitechapel Gallery and at partner venues. Support all preparations for the installation and take down of exhibitions including liaising with couriers/ lenders to confirm travel arrangements. Collate and maintain exhibition data to support indemnity and insurance applications, transport, display and security requirements, working in liaison with transport agents, lenders, Curatorial and production teams as necessary. Work with outside organisers of exhibitions when required, on non-whitechapel originated projects, ensuring that insurance, transport and display requirements are met. Assist in the preparation of contracts with other institutions / individuals as necessary. Carry out loan administration and the condition checking of works, liaising with museum/gallery couriers as necessary. Administration Work within set budgets, prepare requisition orders and invoices, maximising income to the Galley, as directed by the Curatorial team. Update and maintain systems for filing and archiving. Undertake administrative and other duties as required. Informally assist in the line management and recruitment of placement staff as relevant.
General Taking reasonable care for your own health and safety, and that of other persons that may be affected within your working environment, in accordance with the Whitechapel Gallery s Health and Safety policy and procedures. Actively seek to implement the Whitechapel Gallery s Health and Safety Policy in relation to the duties of the post, and at all times give due regard to the health and safety of both yourself and others when carrying out duties. Actively seek to implement the Whitechapel gallery s Equal Opportunities Policy and the objective to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post. Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be requested appropriate to the grade. Other Represent Whitechapel Gallery at public events, meetings and networking on behalf of the organisation. Any other duties as requested by the Chief Curator.
Person Specification Essential Skills and training: Degree qualification in visual arts-related discipline, preferably fine art, art history or architecture/design history. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent attention to detail. Flexibility and ability to multi-task. Results-oriented, fast and effective working style. Excellent word processing skills (familiarity with Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, and Excel). Conservation awareness. The ability to work to tight deadlines and maintain a calm, ordered approach. Diplomacy, flexibility, ability to get on well with people and have a professional attitude; the ability to work independently and in a team, customer focus. Experience: Courier trip experience and the willingness and ability to travel. At least two years experience of arts administration in a major gallery or museum assisting with exhibition logistics. Demonstrable experience of working with couriers, condition checking and an understanding of care of art works and artefacts. Demonstrable experience of supporting the organisation and coordination of transport and insurance for loan based exhibitions. Excellent administration skills and a sound knowledge of exhibition coordination and registrarial work. Experience of working within budgets. Desirable skills and experience: A good knowledge of contemporary artistic practices and debates Experience of print production Experience of working with artists Language skills, particularly German
Conditions of Work Fixed term contract: April - July 2017 inclusive. Hours of work: four days per week, 9.30am 5.45pm, plus some occasional weekend and evening work, which will be compensated by time off in lieu. Salary: 24,000 gross per annum FTE, 19,200 four days per week ( 6,400 total for a four month contract). The period of notice is 2 months in writing on either side. In addition, the benefits you are eligible to receive are, subject to availability: 25 days annual holiday (pro rata for part-time staff: 6.5 days total for a 4 month 0.8 contract). Discount from the Gallery bookshop (subject to availability). Discount from the Whitechapel Café/Bar (subject to availability). Discounts on editions (one per edition) and publications (subject to availability). Participation in Whitechapel Gallery and arts sector peer events.