Organizer Information
South Square is a collection of 19th-century workers' cottages in the old Yorkshire village of Thornton, famous for its Brontë connections and its impressive 20-arch viaduct. Renovated as a community arts centre in 1982, South Square Centre is now home to ten studio spaces for a variety of artists, as well as a gallery, community spaces, an archive, fine art framers, a bar, and a café. Managed by Thornton and Allerton Community Association (TACA), a non-profit established in 1982, the centre is one of only three visual arts venues in Bradford City and the only cultural space in its semi-rural ward.
South Square Gallery plays an important part in the cultural life of Thornton by providing community exhibitions, events, and workshops alongside a contemporary arts programme, committed to providing a platform and opportunities for new artists and curators. South Square led the OUR TURN Visual Arts Festival — a festival designed and led by artists, delivered by South Square Centre in collaboration with Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, Yorkshire Contemporary, and Bradford Producing Hub, supported by Arts Council England. The centre reaches approximately 21,000 visitors annually and engages around 3,000 people per year through outreach.
Title & Description
Emerging Curator — 8-Month Paid Placement
South Square Centre is seeking an Emerging Curator for an 8-month paid placement aimed at building skills and confidence for someone at the beginning of their career in contemporary visual arts. The placement offers hands-on involvement across all aspects of the centre's delivery: exhibitions, public realm projects, community-led projects, events, and audience development. It is intended as a learning-focused role suited to anyone with a genuine interest in pursuing a career in curatorial practice, arts management, or arts production in the visual arts.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Part-time, 3 days per week (22.5 hours per week)
- Contract Type: Fixed-term placement, 8 months
- Salary: £13.45 per hour (Real Living Wage)
- Reports To: Not specified in the source (the role involves liaison with the Programme Manager/Director)
- Department / Programme: Not specified in the source
- Working Hours: 22.5 hours per week; flexibility required for some evenings and weekends
- Start Date: Tuesday 18 August 2026 (suggested)
Position & Tasks
- Assisting with the curation and installation of exhibitions, supporting the curator to care for artworks and to decide on the exhibition's look and feel
- Supporting the writing and presentation of interpretation, including producing accessible formats
- Supporting the development, design, and delivery of events, including onsite exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, and community events, as well as events across the Bradford district
- Assisting with the organisation of events, including sourcing materials, liaising with artists, facilitators, and contractors, and managing ticket sales
- Liaising with and attending meetings with the programme team: Programme Manager/Director, Freelance Artists, and Organisational Partners
- Collecting and collating feedback and project evaluation
- Supporting day-to-day operations, serving as a welcoming presence for visitors attending the centre
- Developing and supporting community workshops, including working with volunteers and work placement students
- Supporting marketing of exhibitions, events, and workshops, including writing press releases, adding listings to online platforms, designing invites and marketing materials, organising distribution of printed materials, and producing content for online marketing
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Exhibition Production
- Arts Administration
- Community Arts
- Events Production
- Arts Marketing & Communications
Eligibility
- Priority given to applicants living in the Bradford district; applications are open to those in the wider West Yorkshire area
- Not open to international applicants
- Applicants still in education are ineligible unless their studies conclude before the placement start date (18 August 2026)
- Must be flexible to work some evenings and weekends
- Active interest in pursuing a career in curatorial practice, arts management, or arts production in the visual arts
The following qualities are sought but not listed as strict requirements:
- Ability to work in a self-directed manner and show initiative
- Excellent communication, written, and IT skills
- Knowledge and experience of the regional cultural scene in Bradford and its audiences
- Experience of engaging with a range of audiences
- Interest or experience in organising or producing exhibitions, cultural, or heritage projects
- Understanding of exhibitions, events, and/or community projects
- Experience using social media to promote events
Program Benefits
- £13.45 per hour (Real Living Wage)
- Other benefits not specified in the source
Application Fee
None.
Application Requirements
- CV
- Covering letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining relevant experience and interest in the role; images may be included
- Alternatively, applications may be submitted in audio or video format (maximum 15 minutes), sent via WeTransfer or attached to an email
- Completed Equal Opportunity Form (responses kept strictly confidential and not used in any decisions affecting the applicant)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 20 July 2026
- Interviews (onsite, South Square Centre): Thursday 30 July 2026
- Suggested start date: Tuesday 18 August 2026
Location
South Square Centre, Thornton Village, Bradford, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Additional Details
Applicants who require additional support to complete their application are invited to contact the organisation directly. The Equal Opportunity Form is a required component of the application but responses are kept strictly confidential and play no part in selection decisions.