Organizer Information
Tate Britain is part of the internationally recognized Tate, one of the most influential museum institutions in the United Kingdom. Tate operates as a public-facing cultural organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting British and international modern and historic art.
Tate Britain specifically focuses on the national collection of British art from the 16th century to the present day. Its curatorial structure plays a major role in shaping how British art history is researched, interpreted, and presented globally. The institution is known for its commitment to accessibility, research-driven exhibitions, and expanding representation within art historical narratives.
The Curatorial Department at Tate Britain is divided into Historic, Modern, and Contemporary teams, ensuring scholarly depth across periods. The Assistant Curator position is located within the Historic British Art division, which is responsible for pre-1915 collections and exhibitions.
Title & Description
Assistant Curator – Eighteenth-Century British Art (Tate Britain, London)
This opportunity is a permanent curatorial position within one of the world’s leading museum institutions. The role focuses on supporting research, exhibition-making, and collection development related to Visual Arts, specifically eighteenth-century British art.
The Assistant Curator will contribute to exhibitions, collection displays, scholarly research, and interpretive writing, while working closely with senior curators and interdisciplinary museum teams. The position combines academic research with practical curatorial production, including loans, exhibitions logistics, and public programming.
This role is central to Tate’s mission of expanding access to art history and diversifying narratives within Art History and Curatorial Practice.
The Role Overview
- Position Title: Assistant Curator – Eighteenth-Century British Art
- Institution: Tate
- Department: Curatorial, Historic British Art
- Contract Type: Permanent Job
- Salary: £32,674 per year
- Working Hours: Full-time (36 hours per week)
- Reporting To: Curator, British Art c.1730–1850
- Location: Tate Britain, London, United Kingdom
The role is embedded in a structured museum environment combining Cultural Management, curatorial research, and public-facing exhibition development.
Position & Tasks
The Assistant Curator will be responsible for both scholarly and operational duties within the museum’s curatorial workflow:
Exhibition & Display Work
- Support the development of Exhibition Making and gallery displays
- Coordinate loan agreements and manage communication with lenders
- Assist with installation planning and exhibition layouts
- Work with registrars, conservators, and installation teams
- Contribute to exhibition budgets and administrative tracking
- Participate in interpretive content development and publications
Research & Collection Development
- Conduct research on the eighteenth-century British Visual Arts
- Support acquisition proposals and collection expansion strategies
- Produce accessible interpretive texts for gallery and digital platforms (Art Writing)
- Contribute to seminars, conferences, and research events
- Assist in diversifying art historical narratives within institutional collections
Administration & Public Engagement
- Respond to public and academic enquiries
- Provide expert support for valuations and institutional advice
- Maintain curatorial documentation and research archives
- Deliver talks, tours, and educational programming
This position is a hybrid of Curatorial Practice, academic research, and museum operations.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Curatorial Practice
- Art History
- Art Writing / Editorial Practice
- Exhibition Making
- Cultural Management
- Research
- Public Presentation
Eligibility
- Academic background in Art History or a related humanities discipline
- Strong knowledge of eighteenth-century British art
- Experience in museum or gallery environments (preferred)
- Familiarity with Curatorial Practice and exhibition development
- Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in institutional environments
- High organizational capacity and ability to manage deadlines
- Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and expanded art historical narratives
International applicants are not excluded, but UK work eligibility is required.
Program Benefits
- Permanent salaried Job within a leading museum institution
- Annual salary of £32,674
- Pension scheme with employer contributions
- Paid leave and an institutional benefits package
- Access to professional development and curatorial training
- Participation in international museum networks
- Free entry to Tate exhibitions and partner institutions
- Research, publication, and exhibition opportunities within the Visual Arts
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- CV (professional experience)
- Cover letter detailing curatorial and research interests
- Academic qualifications
- Evidence of curatorial or museum-related experience
- Writing samples (recommended for Art Writing capability)
- References covering recent professional history
How To Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 25 May 2026
- Interview Dates: 18–19 June 2026
- Start Date: Not Specified
- Contract Type: Permanent position
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
This role is part of Tate Britain’s mission to expand public understanding of British art through research-led Curatorial Practice. The institution emphasizes inclusivity, interdisciplinary thinking, and critical reinterpretation of historical collections.
The Assistant Curator will contribute directly to redefining narratives in eighteenth-century British Visual Arts, supporting both scholarly research and public engagement. The role requires both academic precision and practical museum skills, including exhibition logistics and institutional collaboration.
Tate’s organizational values—open, bold, rigorous, and kind—shape all curatorial work, ensuring a balance between intellectual rigor and public accessibility.