Organizer Information

Queer Heritage South is a community-driven heritage learning project based in Brighton & Hove that collects, preserves, and celebrates the rich cultural life of LGBTQIA+ people. It operates in close partnership with Marlborough Productions, a Brighton-based queer-led cultural organisation, and is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project combines digital archiving, public programming, oral history, and exhibition work to make queer heritage accessible, visible, and deeply rooted in local communities.

Title & Description

Associate Exhibition Curator
The role supports the development, curation, and delivery of a major exhibition at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery in 2027, commemorating the 60th anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexuality in the UK. The exhibition will explore local queer heritage in Brighton & Hove, working in collaboration with Queer Heritage South and Brighton & Hove Museums to center underrepresented queer stories.

Role Overview

  • Contract Type / Employment: Freelance role for over two years.
  • Fee / Compensation: £12,000 total, paid over two years (24 days/year at £250/day)
  • Reporting To: Project management team at Marlborough Productions / Queer Heritage South and Brighton & Hove Museums.
  • Curatorial Programme / Team: Work collaboratively with Queer Heritage South, the museum team, and community stakeholders to co-create the exhibition.
  • Duration: Two-year freelance contract culminating in a 2027 exhibition.

Position & Tasks

  1. Concept Development: Assist in shaping the curatorial concept and narrative of the exhibition, focused on local queer heritage.
  2. Research: Conduct historical and community research into queer heritage in Brighton & Hove, especially around the decriminalization anniversary.
  3. Curation & Collections: Select, interpret, and propose objects or themes for inclusion; work with archival materials and coordinate with museums.
  4. Exhibition Planning: Help in planning exhibition logistics, design, and layout; liaise with production and museum teams.
  5. Public Engagement: Support the development of associated public programs, events, and interpretative material.
  6. Community Collaboration: Engage with local LGBTQIA+ communities to ensure diverse voices and stories are represented.
  7. Project Administration: Manage timelines, deliverables, and possibly budget-related planning with the project lead.

Categories

  • Visual / Exhibition Curation
  • Community Heritage
  • Museum Practice
  • LGBTQIA+ History

Eligibility

  • Open to freelance curators, particularly those with experience in community heritage, LGBTQIA+ history, or museum exhibitions.
  • Candidates who are disabled or people of color are especially encouraged to apply, reflecting Marlborough Productions’ commitment to equity.
  • Must be eligible to work in the UK or able to contract work via freelance arrangements.

Program Benefits

  • Opportunity to curate a major, high-profile public exhibition at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.
  • Strong collaboration with Queer Heritage South and community organizations.
  • Professional visibility: being part of a nationally significant queer heritage project.
  • Creative freedom with support from a heritage-focused, community-rooted team.
  • Networking: Access to the Queer Heritage South’s community, heritage professionals, and museum networks.

Application Fee

None

Application Requirements

  • Cover Letter / Statement of Interest — explaining why you are suited for the role and how you align with the project’s values.
  • CV / Resume — detailing relevant curatorial, heritage, or community experience.
  • Portfolio / Examples of Work — previous curatorial projects, exhibitions, or community heritage work.

How to Apply

Send application materials (CV, cover letter, portfolio) to info@queerinbrighton.co.uk. Use the subject line “Associate Exhibition Curator Application”.

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 7 December 2025
  • Interview Date: 15 December 2025.
  • Contract Period: From appointment through to 2027 (two-year freelance role).

Location

Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Brighton & Hove, United Kingdom

Additional Details

  • The exhibition will run for five years at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery.
  • Marlborough Productions and Queer Heritage South explicitly commit to anti-oppressive practices, and they guarantee an interview for disabled applicants and people of color who meet the essential criteria.
  • This role offers a rare chance to shape how queer histories are exhibited, preserved, and interpreted in a major public institution.

Website Link: https://aim-museums.co.uk/job-vacancies/associate-exhibition-curator-queer-heritage-south/

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