1. Job Description
Job title: Assistant Curator
Line manager: Director of Exhibitions
Notice period: Two months
Main purpose
Under the direction of the Director of Exhibitions, and alongside another Assistant Curator, to
help research, plan and realise the ICA’s contemporary art programme, and to help ensure the
efficient and effective operation of the Exhibitions Department. The ICA presents a diverse
range of national and international exhibitions and events – concentrating on fine art, but
including other subjects such as design and architecture.
Main duties
1. To help research, plan and realise the ICA’s programme of exhibitions and other
projects, under the direction of the Director of Exhibitions.
2. To help manage relationships with artists and other external parties participating in
the programme, and to draft contracts and letters of agreement.
3. To help plan the selection of works for projects, to make loan agreements and
insurance arrangements, and to maintain updated information on works.
4. To attend building planning meetings and to ensure the appropriate and timely
booking of spaces for projects.
5. To plan the installation and technical arrangements for projects, in consultation with
the Gallery Manager. To supply to the Gallery Manager information related to the
transportation of works.
6. To help identify and secure financial and in-kind support for projects, whether from
public or private sources, in consultation with the Development Team.
7. To help plan project budgets, and to implement, monitor and reconcile these budgets,
raising sales invoices and logging expenditure.
8. To liaise with the Education, Talks, Music and Cinema Departments in planning and
programming events, including screenings, performances and talks.
9. To oversee the production of exhibition guides and catalogues, producing written
texts and copy where appropriate, and identifying and working with external
designers as appropriate.
10. To work closely with the Communications Department on the production of press,
marketing and website information for projects.
2. 11. To help manage the public impact of projects, in consultation with the Centre and
Gallery Managers. To ensure the adequate provision of project information to Front of
House and Box Office.
12. To make hospitality arrangements for projects, including planning private views, and
arranging travel and accommodation for outside parties.
13. To liaise with the Bookshop regarding the supply of Exhibitions Department stock.
14. To undertake any project-related administration, deal with general public enquiries as
appropriate, and respond to unsolicited exhibition proposals.
15. To help identify and secure touring partners for exhibitions, and to manage
relationships with touring partners.
16. To help appoint interns and to supervise their work.
17. To keep abreast of developments in the national and international contemporary art.
18. To undertake any other duties which may reasonably be required.
Person specification
Essential
1. Two years’ experience of working in a public, private or artist-run organisation in a
curatorial capacity.
2. Experience of exhibition project management, including budgets, fund-raising, loans,
transport and installation.
3. Experience of event management.
4. Experience of generating copy for public consumption, of copy editing and of managing
graphic designers and print production.
5. Extensive knowledge of the international contemporary art scene and a proven ability to
collaborate with artists.
6. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
7. Excellent computer and administrative skills.
8. Excellent standards of accuracy, organisation and time-management.
9. High levels of initiative, as well as problem-solving and negotiation skills.
3. Desirable
1. A post-graduate qualification in a relevant subject.
2. Knowledge of design and architecture.
3. A second language.
