Organizer Information
The opportunity is hosted by the National Gallery, one of the United Kingdom’s most established national art institutions. Founded in 1824 and located in Trafalgar Square, London, the Gallery holds a major collection of Western European paintings from the 13th to the early 20th century. In addition to its historical holdings, the institution has increasingly expanded its focus toward modern and contemporary curatorial programming, acquisition strategies, and public engagement initiatives.
The Gallery operates as a public institution with a strong emphasis on research, education, conservation, and international collaboration. Its curatorial departments work across historical and contemporary collections, bridging scholarly research with public-facing exhibitions and interpretive programming. The Dorset Curatorial Fellowship sits within this institutional framework, specifically aligned with the Gallery’s Modern & Contemporary Projects and modern painting collection development.
Title & Description
Dorset Curatorial Fellow (Modern Paintings and Modern & Contemporary Projects)
The Dorset Curatorial Fellow (Modern Paintings and Modern & Contemporary Projects) is a 22-month fixed-term curatorial traineeship designed to provide structured professional training in museum and curatorial practice. The fellowship focuses on modern and contemporary art, particularly the research, interpretation, and public presentation of 20th and 21st-century painting and related practices.
The programme offers hands-on involvement in curatorial work within a national museum context, including exhibition development, artist collaboration, collection research, public programming, and residency/awards administration. Fellows will engage directly with curators, artists, and cross-departmental teams to support the delivery of exhibitions, commissions, and institutional programming.
A key aspect of the role includes participation in the Gallery’s residency and awards programme, providing exposure to artist selection processes, jury coordination, and ongoing liaison with contemporary practitioners. The fellowship is designed as both a training position and a professional entry point into curatorial careers within major cultural institutions.
The Role Overview
- Position type: Curatorial Fellowship / Traineeship
- Contract: Fixed-term, 22 months
- Working hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)
- Salary: £38,133 per annum
- Band: D
- Reporting to: Associate Curator for Modern & Contemporary Projects
- Institutional placement: Collections Directorate (Modern Paintings and Modern & Contemporary Projects division)
- Employment context: Museum curatorial practice within a national gallery structure
The role is structured as a professional development opportunity, with formal training integrated into daily curatorial responsibilities.
Position & Tasks
- Assisting curators in research, development, and delivery of exhibitions and commissions
- Contributing to Modern & Contemporary Projects programming and interpretation
- Supporting residency and awards programmes, including jury coordination and artist liaison
- Participating in exhibition preparation, including loans, acquisitions, rehangs, and redisplays
- Assisting with public programming and educational initiatives in collaboration with internal departments
- Supporting collection management activities such as display research and interpretation
- Engaging in museum operations including art handling, framing, conservation coordination, and documentation
- Acting as a gallery courier for domestic and international artwork transport when required
- Contributing to cross-departmental collaboration (Digital, Learning, Exhibitions, Conservation, and Scientific departments)
- Supporting communication of curatorial research to both specialist and general audiences
The position may involve participation in projects at different stages of development, from early conception to post-production phases.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Curatorial Practice
- Museum Studies
- Modern Art (20th Century)
- Contemporary Art (21st Century)
- Art History
- Exhibition Development
- Cultural Heritage Institutions
Eligibility
- Degree (undergraduate or postgraduate) in Art History, Curatorial Studies, or a related discipline
- Strong knowledge of 20th and 21st-century art practices
- Experience or academic background in critical/historical analysis of modern or contemporary art
- Fluency in English
- Working knowledge of at least one additional language
- Demonstrated ability in academic writing and public communication
- Ability to manage deadlines and prioritize tasks effectively
- Experience working with artists or in project-based cultural contexts is an advantage
The programme is generally suitable for early-career curators or emerging professionals with strong academic and research backgrounds.
Program Benefits
- Annual salary of £38,133
- Structured curatorial training within a national museum environment
- Direct exposure to exhibition-making processes and institutional decision-making
- Experience working with international artists and cultural partners
- Mentorship from senior curatorial staff
- Participation in residency and awards programming
- Opportunities to contribute to public programming and research dissemination
- Professional development in museum operations, conservation, and exhibition logistics
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover letter or motivation statement
- Academic qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts)
- Portfolio or writing samples demonstrating curatorial or research work
- Evidence of relevant academic publications or curatorial projects (if available)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 June 2026
- Contract Duration: 22 months (fixed-term)
- Start Date: Not specified (typically aligned with institutional hiring cycles)
- Notification Date: Not specified
Location
London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for events, public programmes, or artist engagements
- Some travel within the UK and internationally may be required, particularly for courier responsibilities
- The role includes exposure to cross-departmental museum operations, making it highly interdisciplinary within institutional practice
- No direct managerial responsibilities are assigned
- The fellowship emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and critical engagement with cultural narratives within curatorial research