Curatorial Researcher

Job Title: Curatorial Researcher
Division: DAD
Contract: 12 weeks from start date in November (part time 3 days / week) 
Salary: £22,627 pa pro rata

Closing date for receipt of applications is midday Friday 11 October 2019
Interview date: 17 October 2019

Background

V&A Collection research to support the early stage scoping for a future V&A exhibition, to be co-curated with V&A Dundee.

Purpose of the Job

The V&A is currently undertaking research for an ambitious exhibition and events programme, created in collaboration with V&A Dundee. The exhibition is scheduled to open in the spring of 2022. It is a continuation of the V&A and V&A Dundee exhibition partnership.

DAD is seeking to appoint a curatorial researcher to support the early stage scoping for a future V&A exhibition co-curated with V&A Dundee. The researcher will be required to conduct comprehensive V&A collections mapping on holdings relating to the exhibition’s topic; compile up-to-date overviews of contemporary practice; as well as pinpointing other collections with specific holdings in this area. The role will primarily involve independent, self-led collection and secondary research within the V&A’s CMS database, National Art Library, other online databases as well as select consultations with V&A collection curators, as appropriate. The research should encompass a survey of all V&A collections across art, design and performance.

Main tasks

1. Object list in Excel format documenting the survey of relevant V&A collection objects, also exported to Google Docs
2. Organiser folder on CMS documenting the survey of relevant V&A collection objects (corresponding to object list in Excel)
3. A concise summative report on V&A collection findings, highlighting characteristics / strengths of collection areas, as well bibliographies for any secondary materials consulted
4. Google Docs research document of wider findings (divided into the sections of the exhibition)
5. A concluding presentation for the curatorial teams in South Kensington and Dundee outlining the research findings
6. This role will report to Lead Curators of the project, who will provide guidance on scope of research.

7. Be committed to health and safety and ensure familiarity with all of the Museum’s health and safety policies and procedures.
8. Be security conscious, ensure familiarity and co-operation with all museum security procedures and ensure you wear a security pass at all times when on museum premises.
9. Promote equality and diversity in all aspects of your work by developing and maintaining positive working relationships, ensuring that colleagues are treated fairly and with respect/dignity and actively contributing to developments that support the museum’s strategy for widening access, inclusion and diversity.
10. Carry out ad hoc duties as requested by appropriate managers within your department.

This role requires researchers to have good working knowledge of CMS along with curatorial research experience. A specialist research interest in histories of twentieth-century and contemporary art, design, technology, and visual culture and knowledge of NAL resources