Organizer Information
The Hepworth Wakefield is one of the most prominent contemporary art galleries in the United Kingdom, attracting over 3 million visitors since opening in 2011. The institution has established itself as a leading public art gallery internationally, known for presenting high-quality exhibitions of modern and contemporary art alongside a growing collection rooted in Wakefield’s cultural heritage.
The gallery operates at the intersection of exhibition-making, public engagement, and community education. It is also home to the award-winning Hepworth Wakefield Garden, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, which expands the institution’s mission beyond the gallery walls into public space and landscape practice.
The organisation is strongly committed to inclusive hiring practices and actively works to improve diversity within the arts sector. It is a certified Living Wage Employer, ensuring fair pay standards for all contracted staff. The institution also provides accessible recruitment processes and is recognised as a Disability Confident Employer, offering interview access to disabled applicants who meet minimum criteria.
Through its exhibitions, learning programmes, and public initiatives, The Hepworth Wakefield continues to position itself as a civic cultural institution that connects international contemporary art practice with local communities.
Title & Description
Project Curator Job UK Wakefield – Hepworth Roles (Maternity Cover)
This role is a fixed-term curatorial position supporting the delivery of a major temporary exhibition scheduled to open in May 2027. The position is focused on research, exhibition planning, administrative coordination, installation processes, and contribution to associated publication and public programming.
The curator will work closely with the Artistic Director to shape and execute a large-scale exhibition project, ensuring both scholarly depth and public accessibility.
The Role Overview
- Type: Fixed-term Job
- Duration: July 2026 – June 2027 (approx. 12 months)
- Salary: £35,250 per annum (pro rata)
- Working Pattern: Part-time (15–22.5 hours/week), full-time during installation phase
- Reporting To: Artistic Director
- Work Model: Hybrid working available
- Programme Focus: Exhibition development, curatorial research, publication, public programming
Position & Tasks
- Conduct research and development for major exhibition project
- Support exhibition planning and administrative coordination
- Contribute to exhibition installation and production processes
- Work on accompanying publication and editorial development
- Collaborate with learning and public programme teams
- Engage with artists, lenders, and institutional partners
Categories
- Curatorial
- Exhibition
- Museum Studies
- Visual Arts
- Art
- Horticulture / Landscape Practice
- Public Art
- Education
- Internship
- Cultural Heritage
- Interdisciplinary Arts
Eligibility
- Open to UK-based and international applicants with valid work eligibility
- Project Curator: Experienced curators with a strong exhibition-making background
- Garden Trainee: Early-career applicants entering horticulture or garden practice
- Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds in the arts are strongly encouraged
- No strict age limit specified
- Commitment to inclusive and collaborative working environments is required
Program Benefits
- Competitive salary (pro rata)
- Opportunity to lead a major institutional exhibition
- Publication and curatorial authorship experience
- Hybrid working flexibility
- Access to international art networks
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed application form (Word format required)
- Recruitment Diversity Monitoring Form
- CV or structured application form details
- Portfolio or relevant experience summary (for Curator role)
- Motivation and interest statement (recommended for Trainee role)
How to Apply?
Applicants must send completed application documents via email: recruitment@hepworthwakefield.org
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 5 May 2026
Location
Wakefield, United Kingdom
Additional Details
The Hepworth Wakefield is committed to inclusive recruitment practices, including anonymised shortlisting, diverse interview panels, and accessibility support for disabled applicants. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the application process.
The institution also offers strong employee benefits including annual leave, pension contributions, discounted cultural access, travel schemes, and free entry to museums and galleries across national and international networks.
Both roles reflect a strong integration of Art, public engagement, education, and professional development within a leading UK cultural institution.