Organizer Information
The Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA London) is a leading multidisciplinary contemporary arts institution based in central London, United Kingdom. Founded in 1946, the ICA has played a defining role in shaping postwar and contemporary cultural discourse, supporting groundbreaking artists across Cinema, Visual Arts, performance, music, and experimental culture.
Located in a Grade I-listed building on The Mall overlooking St James’s Park, the ICA functions as both a production and presentation space for contemporary cultural programming. It is internationally recognized as an incubator for major artistic figures and experimental practices, spanning film, visual art, and interdisciplinary curatorial work.
The ICA Cinema department is a core pillar of its artistic programme, focusing on independent film, artist moving image, documentary practices, and non-mainstream film histories. The institution regularly collaborates with filmmakers, distributors, curators, and cultural organizations to develop innovative screening programmes and partnerships across the global film ecosystem.
Title & Description
Assistant Curator, Cinema (Programming, Coordination and Delivery) – ICA London
The ICA London is recruiting for the position of Assistant Curator, Cinema, a full-time permanent role supporting the development, coordination, and delivery of the institution’s contemporary cinema programme.
This position sits within the ICA Cinema department and supports the Curator, Cinema in shaping a diverse and critically engaged film programme, including new releases, curated series such as Off-Circuit and Long Takes, as well as partnership-based screenings and guest-curated events.
The role is designed for candidates with a strong grounding in film culture, curatorial coordination, and institutional programming. It offers a progression pathway toward curatorial authorship, rights negotiation, stakeholder management, and editorial contribution within a leading cultural institution.
The Assistant Curator will contribute to the delivery of screenings, audience engagement, film distribution coordination, and cross-institutional collaborations, ensuring the smooth operation of ICA Cinema’s public programme.
The Role Overview
- Job Title: Assistant Curator, Cinema (Programming, Coordination and Delivery)
- Department: Cinema
- Contract Type: Permanent, full-time
- Salary: £32,000 per year
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Reporting to: Curator, Cinema
- Working Context: Institutional curatorial and cinema programming role
- Schedule: Includes evenings and weekends when required
- Start Date: Not specified
This role is embedded within a high-profile cultural institution and contributes directly to the ICA’s public-facing cinema and moving image programming.
Position & Tasks
The Assistant Curator, Cinema will be responsible for a wide range of curatorial, operational, and coordination duties, including:
Programme Coordination & Delivery
- Supporting the delivery of ICA Cinema programming and partner-led initiatives
- Coordinating screenings, scheduling, and weekly operational workflows
- Managing communication between projection teams, front-of-house, and external partners
- Maintaining accurate programme listings across the website and ticketing systems
- Supporting on-sale processes and ensuring data accuracy in systems such as Spektrix and Artifax
- Tracking film materials, technical requirements, and promotional assets
Stakeholder & Partnership Support
- Supporting relationships with filmmakers, distributors, guest curators, and partner institutions
- Assisting in the coordination of guest-curated programmes and collaborations
- Representing ICA Cinema at selected events and industry activities
Audience & Event Experience
- Supporting high-quality audience and guest experience across screenings and events
- Coordinating hospitality, briefings, Q&A sessions, and guest logistics
- Ensuring smooth front-of-house communication and event delivery
Communications & Editorial Support
- Drafting and editing programme copy
- Coordinating promotional materials and social media assets
- Supporting communication workflows across cinema programming
Reporting & Administration
- Producing attendance and performance reports
- Managing box office reporting and distributor settlements
- Processing invoices and maintaining financial records
- Supporting administrative accuracy in programming operations
Film Distribution Support
- Assisting ICA Cinema Distribution activities
- Coordinating bookings, materials, and reporting under curatorial oversight
Categories
- Cinema
- Curatorial
- Video/Film
- Media Arts
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Visual Arts
- Cultural Programming
- Arts Administration
- Film Distribution
- Public Programming
Eligibility
This position is open to candidates who meet the following criteria:
- Experience in film, cinema programming, or film distribution environments
- Strong knowledge of contemporary cinema and interest in non-fiction and experimental film
- Experience working within institutional or cultural organizations
- Ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and manage complex workflows
- Strong communication and editorial skills
- Proficiency in IT systems and Microsoft Office
- Availability for flexible working hours, including evenings and weekends
- Ability to work independently and exercise professional judgment
The ICA encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented communities, including Black and Global Majority individuals and people with disabilities.
Program Benefits
The Assistant Curator, Cinema position provides:
- Annual salary of £32,000
- Full-time permanent employment contract
- Experience within a leading international contemporary arts institution
- Direct involvement in high-profile cinema and moving image programming
- Professional development in curatorial practice, programming, and film distribution
- Access to ICA’s international artistic and curatorial networks
- Exposure to experimental and non-mainstream cinema practices
- Opportunity to work on partnerships, festivals, and curated film series
- Career progression potential in curatorial authorship and programming leadership
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover letter outlining relevant experience and motivation
Applications should be prepared in standard professional format.
How to Apply?
Applicants must submit their CV and cover letter via email: jobs@ica.art
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 5 June 2026
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
The ICA is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion under the UK Equality Act 2010. The recruitment process is anonymized during shortlisting to ensure fairness.
The institution actively encourages applications from underrepresented communities in the arts sector and provides reasonable adjustments for candidates requiring accessibility support.
The Assistant Curator, Cinema role is both operational and curatorial, requiring a balance between administrative precision and cultural programming expertise. It is particularly suited for candidates with strong interests in contemporary cinema, experimental film practices, and institutional curatorial work.
This position plays a key role in maintaining ICA Cinema’s reputation as one of Europe’s most influential platforms for independent and artist-driven film culture.