Job description

Job Title: Curator of Fine Art
Reporting to: Senior Curator (York Art Gallery)
Salary: YMT SO1, SCP 29-31, £27,374 to £29,182 per annum
Contract : Temporary, maternity cover role (up to 12 months) , 37 hours per week

Main Purpose of the Job

To lead on the development of the Fine Art Collection at York Art Gallery in relation to acquisitions, research, private collectors, exhibitions and collection displays, working in collaboration within the Trust and external organisations.

Core Responsibilities

Collection Management

Implement a programme of ongoing and retrospective documentation, conservation, storage and acquisition for the Trust’s Fine Arts Collection, ensuring that the collections are developed, managed and documented to the appropriate Accreditation standards and YMT policies.
Deal with loans in and out from the art collection, in liaison with the Registrar.
To work with the Friends of York Art Gallery with the Senior Curator

Exhibitions and Collection Displays

Interpret the Fine Arts collection through visitor- focussed exciting and innovative exhibitions and displays, publications, ICT, talks, seminars, events and public enquiries.
Advocacy
To be an advocate for historic and contemporary art and artists by taking a lead locally, regionally, nationally and internationally

Research

Implement a plan of ongoing research on the Fine Arts collections that has a measurable public output to defined target audiences.

Acquisitions

Acquire new works for the collection in line with the agreed Acquisition Policy, helping to secure funding from both public and private sources.
Management
Supervise project staff and volunteers; report to the Senior Curator of Art. Work closely with the Assistant Curator Arts Learning with regard to the development and delivery of the public programme.
Partnerships
Develop effective partnerships with agreed organisations including York and Yorkshire based museums, galleries, National and regional museums and galleries and specialist groups.
Funding
Contribute to funding applications to Trusts and Foundations, businesses and private individuals in order to increase resources available for public programmes, acquisitions and collection management.
Digital
Enable access to the collection through digital, physical and intellectual improvements
Other
You may from time to time be required to undertake such other duties of a similar nature which fall within the job purpose outlined above and which are consistent with the grading of the post. /

Key Results

Improved access to collections; collections are safe and secure; YMT retains Accredited status.
Safe and secure arrangements for loans of works to and from York Art Gallery.
Friends are working actively in support of the gallery, funding new acquisitions and supporting educational activities within the gallery’s programme.
Collections interpreted in an accessible and varied way for a range of target audiences.
Contacts with other institutions established and thriving. Involved in conferences, relevant networks.
Research programme in place with publications of any research work that is undertaken by staff, freelance researchers, or collaborations with other organisations.
Collections continue to grow and develop through external funding sources.
Objectives agreed with Senior Curator of Art. Shared objectives with Learning.
Partnerships in place with public benefit.
Additional funding secured.
Collections more accessible to a wide range of audiences
Key Relationships
Senior Curator (York Art Gallery)
Curator of Ceramics
Learning team
Curatorial teams
Registrar
Museums managers
Volunteers manager
Front of house staff

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

YMT has a strategic commitment to increasing its digital skill base. The post holder should be able to demonstrate competence in one or more of the following areas:
Digital recording – e.g. photography, sound, video
Social networking – e.g. twitter, facebook, flickr
Contributing to online communities – e.g. mumsnet, reddit, linkedin
Blogging or other online publishing – e.g. wordpress, tumblr
Essential
Degree in appropriate subject
Postgraduate Qualification in Museum/Art Gallery Studies and/or AMA, or equivalent experience
Substantial experience of working with Fine Art collections
Knowledge of documentation systems and conservation issues for Fine Art collections
Experience of working with volunteers
Excellent communicator able to speak easily in public
Social networking and digital skills
Knowledgeable about Fine Art and able to communicate information and enthusiasm to a non-specialist audience
Committed to Continuous Professional Development for self and colleagues
ICT experience for documentation and general office use
Desirable
Outgoing, personable and a team player
Project Management experience
Published research
Knowledge/experience of working with contemporary art

Job Title Curator of Fine Art (temporary, maternity cover role, up to 12 months)

Terms and conditions of service

Health

Prospective employees must be cleared by the Occupational Health Service as medically fit for employment by the Trust.

Probationary period

Appointment is subject to the successful completion of a six month probationary period.

Reporting line

This post reports to the Senior Curator (York Art Gallery).

Salary

The salary for the post is YMT S01, SCP29-31, (£27,374 to £29,182) per annum.

Annual leave

The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per annum pro rata, increasing by five days after five years continuous service with the Trust, plus public holidays.

Pension

The Trust belongs to the Local Government Pension Scheme and all new employees are enrolled where their contracts are for longer than 3 months. It is possible to opt out of the pension using forms available at www.nypf.org.uk.

Hours of work

The hours of work are 37 per week.

Period of notice

The period of written notice required for you to terminate this post is 1 month. The Trust will give you 1 months’ notice if you have less than 5 years of completed service. Thereafter you will receive 1 weeks’ notice for every completed year of service, up to a maximum of 12 weeks after 12 completed years of service.

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