Duration: One-Year Fixed Term with Possibility of Extension

Curator

Hours: It is expected that the successful candidate will work an average of 22 hours per month. Work times are by mutual agreement with the Director and will include some evening and weekend work.

Duration: One-year fixed term with possibility of extension.

Pay: £250 per calendar month, plus a one-off payment of £250 on receipt of catalogue texts by the copy deadline in spring 2018.

Location: Florence Trust, St Saviour's, Aberdeen Park, London, N5 2AR.

Application deadline: 31/10/17

Interview date: 08/11/17

About the Florence Trust:

The Florence Trust offers annual studio residencies commencing in August each year for up to twelve carefully selected artists. During the residency, each artist has 24-hour access to a studio within the Trust’s Grade I listed neo-gothic church. All the artists take part in the Trust’s annual Open Studios exhibition in February and end of year summer exhibition in July. To accompany this exhibition a full-colour publication is produced. Throughout the year, the Florence Trust provides a mentoring programme tailored to the requirements and objectives of each resident. This includes one-to-one sessions with the Director, resident curator, and members of the board of Trustees, as well as visiting artists, writers, and curators. Alongside this, the Trust helps its residents build a valuable network of contacts. The artist’s relationship with other residents forms a significant part of this network and this will be strengthened through peer-critiques, workshops, and exhibition projects. This is then supplemented by connections created through meetings with gallerists during gallery tours and outside curators during studio visits.
The Florence Trust is run by a Director, Studio Manager, and a group of committed Trustees. It is a registered educational charity that aims to deliver a bespoke programme dedicated to the creative and professional development of each of its resident artists.

Job Description: The successful candidate will work within the Trust’s small team, using their curatorial and managerial skills to assist the delivery of the annual winter and summer exhibitions, as well as writing texts for the full-colour publication that accompanies the summer exhibition. Throughout the year, they will be expected to make a meaningful contribution to the mentoring of our resident artists and write about their artwork. They will also help where needed with the day-to-day running of the organisation.

We are looking for a candidate who can work efficiently on their own initiative and bring in fresh ideas to improve what the Trust offers. This is an excellent opportunity for an aspiring curator with a record of accomplishment, who is looking to gain practical experience in working with artists, managing an exhibition venue, and producing exhibitions and publications.

Main Duties:

Artist support:

- Timetable and lead artist peer-critiques

- Offer feedback on each artist’s practice during one-to-one meetings

- Arrange artists tours

- Look into the feasibility of a group trip in Spring, e.g. Glasgow International

- Take an active part in developing the Florence Trust residency and creating new services we can offer

Exhibition and catalogue:

- Write the curatorial text to accompany the annual summer exhibition

- Assist the Studio Manger during the design, proofing, and printing of the catalogue

- Assist the Director in planning and co-ordinating the exhibition layout and installation

Promotion:

- Draft and circulate press releases and public communications about the Trust and its exhibitions

- Collaborate with the Studio Manager to update and maintain the Florence Trust website and social media accounts

- Work in conjunction with the Director to increase brand recognition for the Trust

- In consultation with the Director and the Board, source sponsorship and compose funding applications

- Propose collaborations between the Trust and other public and commercial organisations

Administrative Assistance:

- Assist the Director and Studio Manager with the 2018/2019 artist residency application process

- Assist the Director and Studio Manager when needed

- Provide a first point of contact for visitors and contractors when other staff are not present

Person Specification

Required:

- Prior experience of managing exhibition projects, or other relevant arts administration experience

- Reliable, self-starting, flexible, organised, able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people

- Able to assess an artist’s practice and give relevant feedback

- Excellent Mac and PC skills

- Strong interest in contemporary fine art and up-to-date knowledge of London arts scene

- Ability to write about contemporary art in an intelligent and accessible manner

Desirable:

- Experienced in Photoshop and InDesign

- Prior experience of working on a printed publication

- Excellent written English and the ability to carefully proofread text

- Prior experience in managing budgets and fundraising

- Experience working on a successful promotional campaign for an exhibition or organisation

To apply:

Please submit the following:

- Application form

- Personal statement no longer then one page

- An example of your writing

- CV

Please send to: .

We will acknowledge receipt of all applications. Please let us know if you do not hear from us.

If you have any questions about this position, please contact Sarah Williams at .