Organizer Information
The opportunity is hosted by the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), one of the world’s leading museums of art, design, and performance. The institution holds a collection spanning over 5,000 years of human creativity and includes more than 2.8 million objects across disciplines such as fashion, textiles, performance, decorative arts, and contemporary design.
The V&A operates as a multi-site national museum system dedicated to advancing cultural knowledge and promoting creativity in all its forms. It regularly produces large-scale exhibitions, academic publications, and public programmes that connect historical collections with contemporary cultural practice. The museum is internationally recognised for its interdisciplinary curatorial approach and its strong engagement with artists, designers, scholars, and creative industries.
Title & Description
Exhibition Project Curator – Performance Exhibition (Summer 2028 Focus)
This opportunity is for a fixed-term curatorial role contributing to a major forthcoming exhibition at the V&A focused on popular music and 20th-century art within a performance-based exhibition framework. Scheduled for Summer 2028, the exhibition will combine objects, archival material, sound, performance, and multimedia installations, accompanied by a publication and related public programming.
The appointed curator will support the development of exhibition themes, research frameworks, object selection, and interpretive content. Working closely with the Lead Curator and senior curatorial team, the role contributes to shaping how performance, music, and visual culture intersect within a museum context. The position is both research-intensive and production-oriented, requiring curatorial authorship, coordination with lenders and external partners, and collaboration with designers and interdisciplinary teams.
The Role Overview
- Position: Exhibition Project Curator (Performance, Furniture, Textiles & Fashion Department)
- Contract Type: Fixed-term, 24 months
- Salary: £35,561 per annum
- Working Pattern: 36 hours per week
- Reporting To: Senior Curator / Lead Curator (Theatre & Performance)
- Work Model: Hybrid (minimum 60% onsite at South Kensington)
- Line Management: None
This role sits within a structured curatorial hierarchy and contributes directly to a high-profile institutional exhibition with international visibility.
Position & Tasks
The Exhibition Project Curator will be responsible for a wide range of curatorial and production tasks, including:
- Conducting independent and assigned research on exhibition themes, collections, and archival material
- Supporting development of exhibition narrative structure, themes, and interpretive content
- Writing exhibition texts, labels, and contributing to publication content
- Assisting with object selection and coordinating loan requests with external institutions
- Managing object lists, documentation systems, and collection database updates
- Supporting copyright clearance for images, audio, and audiovisual materials
- Liaising with designers on curatorial briefs and exhibition design development
- Contributing to publication production (editing, proofreading, bibliographies, captions)
- Coordinating with internal departments (conservation, learning, marketing, digital, etc.)
- Participating in project meetings and reporting progress to steering groups
- Supporting partnerships with external collaborators, including academic institutions and lenders
Categories
- Visual Art
- Curatorial Practice
- Performance Art
- Music and Sound Studies
- Museum Studies
- Exhibition Design (collaborative context)
- Media / Audiovisual Culture
- Cultural History (20th-century studies)
Eligibility
- Expertise in popular music and/or 20th-century art history
- Professional curatorial experience in exhibitions or permanent displays
- Experience in research, writing, and editorial work for publication
- Familiarity with museum systems, collections management, and object handling workflows
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to manage complex workloads under tight deadlines
- Proficiency in MS Office and relevant digital tools
- Experience engaging with diverse audiences and stakeholders
The role is open internationally but requires eligibility to work in the UK.
Program Benefits
- Competitive annual salary (£35,561)
- Fixed-term professional curatorial appointment at a world-leading museum
- Opportunity to contribute to a major international exhibition (Summer 2028)
- Access to V&A collections, archives, and research networks
- Hybrid working structure with institutional flexibility
- Pension contributions (5.5% employee / 10% employer post-probation)
- 29 days of annual leave plus public holidays
- Professional development within a high-level curatorial environment
- Free museum access and staff cultural benefits
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- CV (detailing relevant curatorial and research experience)
- Cover letter or personal statement
- Portfolio of curatorial work or relevant publications (if applicable)
- Evidence of research experience in relevant fields
- References (as requested during later stages)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 21 June 2026
- Interview / Assessment Days: 7 & 9 July 2026
- Potential Start Date: Mid-August 2026
- Project Timeline: Exhibition development leading to Summer 2028 opening
Location
South Kensington, London, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- The institution applies anonymous shortlisting practices to ensure fair recruitment
- The V&A is a Disability Confident Employer and guarantees interviews for eligible applicants under its scheme
- Strong emphasis is placed on equity, sustainability, creativity, collaboration, and inclusivity
- The role involves cross-departmental collaboration across exhibitions, publishing, education, and communications
- Candidates should be prepared for a fast-paced institutional environment with multiple overlapping production timelines