Organizer Information
Serpentine Galleries is a major contemporary art institution in London, presenting pioneering work in contemporary art, architecture, performance, education and live programming. Founded in 1970, Serpentine operates two galleries in Kensington Gardens and maintains a long-standing commitment to free public access and engagement with broad audiences. Its education and civic programmes use collaborative artistic practice to connect artists with children, young people, educators and communities.
Title & Description
Assistant Curator, Education – Serpentine Galleries
Serpentine Galleries is seeking an Assistant Curator, Education to join its Education Team and work alongside the Education Curator. The role focuses on developing and delivering artist-led education and public programmes, including artists’ residencies, commissions, workshops, events and educational resources.
The position is particularly suited to a creative and collaborative professional with experience working with children and young people under 18, an understanding of contemporary and socially engaged art, and experience with co-production. The successful candidate will help connect artists and audiences by supporting projects that bring contemporary art into everyday life and widen access to the Gallery.
Serpentine’s Education and Civic work includes collaborative projects involving artists, schools, families and communities, with a strong emphasis on social practice, research and collective learning.
The Role Overview
- Position: Assistant Curator, Education
- Employer: Serpentine Galleries
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: 3 days per week
- Salary: £19,282 per annum, pro-rated from a full-time equivalent of £32,136
- Probation: 3 months
- Reporting to: Education Curator
- Working model: Hybrid; normally 3 office days and up to 2 days working from home
- Core days: Wednesday and Thursday
- Office hours: Normally 10 am–6 pm, Monday–Friday, with flexibility for programme requirements
Position & Tasks
The Assistant Curator will deliver creative workshops and artist commissions in galleries, schools and community settings; support audience-development initiatives; and develop co-creation processes involving artists, children, families and young people.
Key responsibilities include coordinating venues, materials and equipment; supporting publications, toolkits and educational resources; researching artists, schools and community issues; and providing pastoral care and hospitality during projects.
The role also includes programme administration, evaluation, reporting, scheduling, proofreading, stakeholder database management, website and social-media coordination, budget monitoring, invoice processing and departmental expenses. The postholder must also follow Serpentine’s safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion policies.
Categories
- Contemporary Art
- Visual Art
- Arts Education
- Social Practice
- Curatorial Practice
- Community Arts
- Art Administration
Eligibility
- At least three years’ relevant experience working with children or young people under 18 in cultural, educational or community settings.
- Experience developing co-production processes.
- Knowledge of modern and contemporary art, including social practice.
- Understanding of co-production research and innovation.
- Strong communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.
- Empathetic understanding of challenges affecting London’s children, young people and educators.
- Interest in anti-racist, anti-ableist and trauma-informed practice.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required.
Experience developing educational publications/resources and working with embodied creative practices is desirable.
Program Benefits
The successful candidate receives a permanent position, paid salary, pro-rated annual leave of 25 days rising to 30 days after five years, plus pro-rated bank holidays. Benefits after probation include selected product discounts, employee assistance, season-ticket loans and the Cycle2Work scheme. The position also includes participation in Serpentine’s auto-enrolment pension scheme.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
- Interviews: 16 September 2026
- Appointment: Permanent, subject to a three-month probationary period
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
This is primarily an education-curatorial and programme-development position rather than a conventional artist opportunity. Candidates should therefore demonstrate professional experience in arts education, contemporary art, youth engagement and collaborative/co-production methodologies. The role may involve working directly with children, families, educators, artists and community partners, as well as substantial administrative and financial coordination.
Serpentine’s current team structure lists Alex Thorp as Curator, Education, reflecting the position’s placement within the institution’s wider Programmes department.