Curator (Parliamentary Art Collection)

House of Commons

The House of Commons a unique and exciting place to work right at the heart of the UK's thriving democratic system.

Behind the scenes, the House of Commons Service is made up of more than 3,000 employees who support and facilitate the smooth day to day running of the House. They provide professional services to Members of Parliament, their staff, and the wider parliamentary community.

Staff Benefits

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including:

• 30 days’ annual leave (increasing to 35 days after first full leave year).
• Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.
• Access to training and development.
• Flexible working.
• Interest free season ticket loan and bicycle loan.

Introduction

The Curator: Parliamentary Art Collection sits in the Heritage Collections Team (HCT) within Strategic Estates (SE). The HCT are responsible for the professional management of three collections of national and international importance the Parliamentary Art Collection (PAC), the Historic Furniture and Decorative Arts Collection (HFDA) and the Architectural Fabric Collection (AFC). This Team provides a bicameral service to the House of Commons and the House of Lords and is responsible for all aspects of strategy, display, collections management, care and conservation, technical and procedural standards, documentation, loans and interpretation.

The PAC includes over 10,000 artworks, the majority are on display across the Parliamentary Estate, and consists of paintings, sculpture, works on paper and other media ranging from ceramics to textiles, medals and political collectables. HFDA includes over 11,000 objects including historic furniture, clocks, silver and ceramics. It is a working collection with many objects in daily use across the Parliamentary Estate fulfilling the role for which they were designed and made. The AFC includes over 4,500 items which were commissioned for the Palace of Westminster but have been detached from the built fabric and historic interiors.

The Role

The Curator: Parliamentary Art Collection is one of two curatorial roles responsible for managing the Parliamentary Art Collection in the House of Commons and House of Lords. Managed by the Deputy Chief Curator, the role sits within the wider Parliamentary Art Collection and Engagement Team. You will deliver a wide range of curatorial duties which support the programmes of work undertaken by the Heritage Collections Team, with particular responsibility for overseeing the early part of the art collection and leading the forward plan for the team’s displays programme.

Some of the responsibilities for this role include:

• Provides specialist research and advice to the Chief Curator, Deputy Chief Curator, and to the two Works of Art Committees on the Parliamentary Art Collection, including acquisition, commission and display projects. This includes preparing and presenting briefs for Member bodies.
• Draws on well-developed academic art historical skills to undertake targeted research for collections information and development, displays and commissions.
• Develops and maintains an active awareness of relevant areas of art history and the art market, proactively building relationships with academics, fellow curators, auction houses, art dealers and professional artists.

Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role you will demonstrate:

• Experience of curatorial work within a public art gallery, museum or historic building context
• Developed experience undertaking art historical research to a high academic standard
• Experience of planning and curating displays and exhibitions and influencing collection development
• Informed knowledge of 19th and 20th century British art history, with an interest in Parliamentary or political history.
• Experience of writing for displays, web and print publications, writing for a variety of audiences
• Ability to represent the collections and Heritage Collections department internally and externally on varied projects
• Excellent organisational, time and project management skills
• Good interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to deal tactfully and confidently with people at all levels upholding the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at all times

Next Steps and Additional Information

• CV & Supporting Statement – If you would like to apply for this role, please submit your CV and supporting statement with a 500-word limit.

More information on the role and the full criteria can be found in the Job Description.

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.