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Spike Island is looking for an energetic and committed curator who is passionate about supporting and working with artists. With excellent knowledge of current international artistic practices, the Curator will work closely with the Director to develop the artistic programme, and will have overall responsibility for its delivery.

Our diverse, critically acclaimed artistic programme includes major exhibitions and commissions, artist development, engagement and public programmes. The Exhibitions programme comprises 4–5 major shows each year and focuses on new commissions and survey shows by emerging and underrepresented artists from all backgrounds. Our sector-leading Artist Development programme, Spike Island Associates, provides skills development training, shared workspace and networking events for over 250 members. Our Engagement programme seeks to build long-term relationships with community groups, children and young people living in and around Bristol.

We are looking for someone who will bring energy and imagination to the role, as well as a proven track record of successful exhibition delivery, partnership building and fundraising. You will ensure projects are delivered on time and to budget with your strong planning and organisational skills, and conscientious attention to detail. You will apply your excellent communication and interpersonal skills to lead and motivate a small team, as well as develop good relationships with Spike Island’s internal community, including studio artists. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate their commitment to enhance access to contemporary art for audiences from all backgrounds, and be closely attuned to the needs, priorities and pressures of artists working today.

This full-time role is based on-site at Spike Island, with home working available by prior arrangement with your line manager. Normal working hours are 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday. This role will involve working occasional evenings and weekends according to the needs of the organisation, for which time off in lieu will be provided.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to Spike Island and we are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity in recruitment and employment. We consider diversity to be a strength and are therefore keen to make our workforce more representative of the different backgrounds and experiences that make up our city.

THE ROLE 

• Role: Curator
• Term: Full-time, Permanent
• Hours: 35hrs per week
• Salary: £35,000–£37,000 per annum

INFORMATION SESSION

We are hosting an online information session about this role on Thursday 28 November, 1–2pm. This is an opportunity to find out more about the role and Spike Island, and to ask questions. It is designed to encourage applications and does not form part of the selection process. If you are interested, please RSVP by booking your place on Eventbrite.

HOW TO APPLY

• Download and view the Person Specification
• Download and view the Job Description
• Apply using the form below (CVs will not be accepted). We employ anonymous shortlisting, so please make sure that your application does not contain your name, address or other personal data
• Complete the online equal opportunities monitoring after submitting.

AFTER YOU APPLY

Online Information Session for all applicants: Thursday 28 November, 1–2pm 

First interview: Wednesday 15 January, 2025

Spike Island is a Disability Confident Committed employer. We offer guaranteed interviews to applicants who meet the essential criteria for this role who identify as having a disability.

If you have any access needs, please list any requirements or reasonable adjustment requests in in the submission form below, and we will work with you to see they are met at the interview stage and in the event of the offer of employment. This includes Access to Work and other reasonable adjustments, for example if you need a BSL interpreter at interview, or if you would need an adapted workstation. If you’re not sure, please get in touch.