Organizer Information
Forma is a London-based contemporary arts organisation established in 2001, working with emerging and mid-career British and international artists to commission, produce, and present ambitious interdisciplinary art projects. As a non-gallery-based organisation, Forma partners with cultural institutions across the UK and internationally to deliver its programme, offering commissioning, fundraising, and production expertise. Forma is a registered charity and National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England. The organisation's team is based at FormaHQ, a RIBA award-winning cultural hub in Bermondsey, Southwark, which opened in 2021 and houses artist studios, a rooftop garden, and Presse Books, an independent bookshop. Forma has collaborated with artists including Alberta Whittle, Sin Wai Kin, Abbas Zahedi, Cécile B. Evans, and Josefa Ntjam, and delivers commissions such as Artists' Film International selections and the Frieze Artist Award. Forma describes its mission as being "to make remarkable art happen," commissioning and producing contemporary art that is challenging and contributes to critical and contemporary discourse.
Title & Description
Curator (Fixed-Term, 6 Months)
Forma is seeking an experienced curator to oversee delivery of its artistic programme over a six-month period. Working closely with the Artistic Director, the successful candidate will step into an existing programme of commissions, exhibitions, residencies, and public events at a point when Forma is undertaking a period of strategic review. The role acts as the central point of contact for artists, partners, and the Forma team, ensuring production, communications, budgets, and timelines stay aligned so that ambitious projects are delivered to a high standard. While primarily a programme delivery role, there are also opportunities to contribute creatively to the development of exhibitions, public events, and artist projects.
The Role Overview
- Contract Type: Fixed term, 6 months
- Salary: £36,000 pro rata for a four-day week (£28,800 actual)
- Reports To: Artistic Director
- Working Hours: 10am–6pm, plus some occasional weekend and evening work, compensated by time-off-in-lieu
- Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays per annum, pro rata
- Location: London, FormaHQ Office
Position & Tasks
- Oversee successful delivery of Forma's artistic programme during the six-month period
- Step into an existing programme of commissions, exhibitions, residencies, and public events
- Act as the central point of contact for artists, partners, and the Forma team
- Ensure production, communications, budgets, and timelines remain aligned across projects
- Build relationships with internationally recognised artists and institutional partners
- Support artists at earlier career stages, including an artist's first public event at FormaHQ
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Contribute creatively to the development of exhibitions, public events, and artist projects (in addition to primary delivery responsibilities)
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Arts Administration
- Contemporary Art
- Exhibition Production
- Programme Management
Eligibility
- No nationality or work-authorisation restriction stated in the source
- Ideally suited to someone with experience working in a contemporary visual arts organisation
- Should enjoy the practical delivery of complex artistic projects as much as shaping the conversations around them
- Comfortable building relationships with both internationally recognised artists and institutional partners
- Highly organised, collaborative, and calm under pressure
- Comfortable managing multiple projects simultaneously and taking ownership of the many details behind ambitious artistic ideas
- Strong curatorial judgement, excellent organisational skills, and a collaborative approach
- Forma states it is keen to hear from candidates currently underrepresented in the sector due to barriers linked to ethnicity, class, disability, gender, and sexuality
Program Benefits
- Salary: £36,000 pro rata for a four-day week (£28,800 actual)
- Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays per annum, pro rata
- Time-off-in-lieu compensation for occasional weekend/evening work
- All other benefit categories (health/medical insurance, pension, probation period, professional development allowance, etc.): Not specified in the source
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 16 August 2026
- Interview dates: week commencing 21 August 2026
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- Candidates considering applying are welcome to request an informal conversation in advance of the deadline, to help gauge whether the role is the right fit
- Informal conversations, visits to FormaHQ, or general enquiries about the organisation or role can be arranged by contacting Caroline Heron at ch@forma.org.uk
- Forma states it strives to be an organisation reflective of the diverse contemporary society it serves